In this presentation, given at the WMO side event during the 2014 EUMETSAT Meteorological Satellite Conference in Geneva, Stephan Bojinski (Satellite Utilization and Products Division, Space Programme, WMO) demonstrates how the WMO assists in raising the benefits from meteorological services and satellites and discusses the challenges faced in the future.

1. Stephan Bojinski, Space Programme
Haleh Kootval, Public Weather Services Programme
WMO/EUMETSAT Side Event, 23 Sep 2014
EUMETSAT Meteorological Satellite Conference 22-26 Sep 2014, Geneva
Raising the Benefits of Meteorological Services and Satellites

2. Mission Statements
WMO:
“To provide world leadership in expertise and international cooperation in weather, climate, hydrology and water resources and related environmental issues and thereby contribute to the safety and well-being of people throughout the world and to the economic benefit of all nations.”
World Bank:
“Working for a world free of poverty.”

3. History
Interest since 1960s in valuation of meteo/hydro services, driven by:
Science & Technology
Expected benefits from investments
1961: US President J.F. Kennedy addressed the UN Assembly: “… Here, new scientific tools have become available. With modern computers, rockets and satellites, the time is ripe to harness a variety of disciplines for a concerted attack … the atmospheric sciences require worldwide observations and, hence, international cooperation…”
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4. World Weather Watch: Significant investments
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Observations
Tele communication
Processing & Forecasting
Services
Observations: Estimated cost: 5-10 billion USD annually Global Climate Observing System: Additional cost: 2.5 billion USD annually (GCOS IP 2010)

5. Significant Benefits: Weather and climate-sensitive areas

6. Value-adding of meteorological services
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Source: WMO RA VI Working Group on Service Delivery and Partnership, Dec 2013: Socio-economic benefits of hydro-meteorological services – the benefits of showing the benefits,
Benefit studies help to:
1.Foster forecast and service innovation
-Assess impacts
-Justify investments in basic services
2.Assess value for tax money
3.Identify value for all weather, climate-sensitive sectors

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Question: “Why do we need the weather service? For weather information, I go to the Weather Channel…” Answer: “Why do we need 9 million milk cows in this country? For milk, I go to the supermarket…”
(pers.comm., 2006)

8. Guidance by WMO
To assist NMHSs in:
1.Assessing socio-economic benefits of weather and climate services, and
2.Communicating these benefits
Conferences (e.g., Madrid 2007)
Expert Groups (e.g., in WMO Region VI – Europe)
Joint WMO – World Bank Guideline (release March 2015): - Compilation of methodologies - Practical guidance - Case studies
To increase mutual understanding between meteorologists and economists

9. Increase cost-benefit of satellites by:
Coordinating satellite assets, and
Enhancing satellite data utilization
Space-based Global Observing System Satellite datasets monitored at ECMWF
CGMS: 13 satellite operator members
CEOS: 31 members
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Guidance by WMO

10. Current constellation
Preparing users to the next generation of meteorological satellites 2015-2020

11. Next-generation constellation

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Satellite User Readiness Navigator portal (SATURN)
Reference User Readiness Project
•Generic timeline with respect to launch date (-5/-4/-3 years etc.)
•Deliverables for users and satellite operators
Use of OSCAR tool for gap analysis and planning www.wmo.int/oscar/space (>600 satellites, >800 instruments)
Guidance by WMO
Common product standards
(e.g., RGB composites)
Support to international science groups
Training and capacity building

13. Summary
WMO assists in raising the benefits from meteorological services and satellites, by
Guiding the assessment and communication of such benefits
Providing support to NMHSs
Coordinating, and enhancing the use of, satellites
Challenges:
How to quantify benefits beyond NWP: climate and related services
Ensure user readiness to next generation satellites
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15. www.wmo.int
Thank you for your attention
Stephan Bojinski sbojinski@wmo.int