Climate information in decisionmaking in the Greater Horn of Africa: lessons and experiences

Abstract

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) is a specialized regional centre charged with the responsibility of climate monitoring, prediction, early warning and applications for the reduction of climate-related risks, including those associated with climate variability and change in support of national/regional poverty alleviation and sustainable development strategies. This is achieved through capacitybuilding of both meteorologists and the users’ specific sectors; mapping of climate hazards; climate monitoring, prediction and early warning; downscaling of climate products; development and application of the climate tools required by various climate-sensitive sectors, among others, in order to reduce sectorspecific climate risks. This article presents some of the lessons learned and experiences gathered from ICPAC since 1989 in the successful use of climate Information in the decision- making process.