From Regional To Subnational: Co-Production And Co-Creation Of Seasonal Climate Information For Resilience And Sustainability.

By Melissa Ouya

Introduction

In the pursuit of sustainable solutions, the concept of co-production and co-creation of seasonal climate information has emerged as a promising avenue to enhance resilience and foster sustainability, particularly in regions vulnerable to the adverse impacts of shifting weather patterns. This paradigm shift marks a departure from the traditionally top-down dissemination of climate data, instead emphasizing the integral role of local communities, stakeholders, and scientific experts in collaboratively generating, interpreting, and utilizing seasonal climate information. While this approach has garnered significant attention in recent discourse, its potential implications and practical implementation in fostering resilience and sustainability remain areas of active research and exploration. With a focus on building adaptive capacity and empowering local communities, the co-production and co-creation of seasonal climate information seeks to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and indigenous wisdom, fostering a holistic understanding of climate dynamics and context-specific adaptation measures. Emphasizing the imperative of localized, contextually relevant solutions.

The seventh Down2Earth monthly seminar series ‘Can We Talk?’ themed ‘Coproduction and co-creation of seasonal climate information for resilience and sustainability was held on the 3rd of October 2023 and sought to expound on the importance, achievements and gaps of ICPAC’s co-production and co-creation of climate information from the broader regional perspectives down to the community level through Participatory Scenario Planning. 

A study conducted within the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) countries sheds light on the crucial role of regional co-production and co-creation of seasonal climate information in informing decision-making processes across various sectors, notably water, health, and agriculture. While national forecasts serve as fundamental pillars for strategic planning, the study emphasized the complementary nature of regional forecasts in enhancing the accuracy and reliability of information necessary for effective decision-making. Particularly in sectors such as water, where resource management is intricately tied to climate variability, health, where disease outbreak and prevention strategies heavily rely on climatic conditions, and agriculture, where crop yield and livestock management hinge on seasonal predictions. Thus, the integration of regional forecasts bolsters the resilience and adaptive capacity of these sectors. This study underscored the significance of a multi-level approach that harnesses both regional and national data, thereby facilitating a more comprehensive understanding of climate dynamics and enabling informed policy formulation and implementation at both regional and national levels within the IGAD countries.

At the Sub-national level, Participatory scenario planning (PSP) plays a pivotal role in the co-production and co-creation of climate services and information, fostering an inclusive and collaborative approach to addressing the complexities of climate change. By actively engaging diverse stakeholders, including local communities, policymakers, and scientific experts, in the process of scenario planning, a more comprehensive and contextually relevant understanding of the potential impacts of climate variability and change is attained. This participatory approach not only enables the integration of indigenous knowledge and community perspectives but also fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment among stakeholders, thereby enhancing the efficacy and relevance of climate services and information. By encouraging active participation and co-creation, participatory scenario planning facilitates the development of tailored and adaptive strategies, fostering resilience and sustainability in the face of evolving climate dynamics. The IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Center experiences show great potential for Participatory Scenario Planning enhancing community trust and uptake of climate information. 

Matters arising 

Acknowledging the diverse composition of stakeholders and actors at each stage of the information dissemination process, co-production underscores the necessity of inclusive and participatory approaches in scenario planning. By actively involving various actors, including local communities, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and research institutions, the planning process is enriched with diverse perspectives, indigenous knowledge, and expert insights. This collaborative engagement facilitates a more holistic understanding of the local context, ensuring that the regional forecasts are effectively tailored to address the unique challenges and priorities of each community. More so, it highlights the importance of disseminating Climate Information Services (CIS) in ways that respect and obey the dynamics of the community, including cultural nuances and gender balance issues. Integrating these considerations into participatory scenario planning emphasizes the need for community-centric approaches that foster inclusivity, promote cultural sensitivity, and ensure equitable access to critical climate information.

The PSP  approach still encounters significant limitations, particularly concerning its scalability and the production of localized downscaled forecasts tailored for specific sectors. Additionally, resource constraints pose a considerable challenge, hampering the capacity to implement PSP on a larger scale and limiting the availability of detailed and sector-specific climate information required for informed decision-making. To address these challenges, the active involvement of sub-national governments in the PSP process becomes imperative. By integrating sub-national government bodies into the planning and implementation stages, PSP can foster greater buy-in and ownership at the local level, ensuring the alignment of climate adaptation strategies with the specific needs and priorities of different regions. This collaborative engagement not only enhances the utilization of limited resources but also facilitates the development of targeted and context-specific climate action plans, strengthening the resilience and adaptive capacity of communities in the face of increasingly complex climate dynamics.

The fusion of traditional and scientific knowledge within co-production and co-creation offers a unique opportunity to enhance the uptake of climate information services  and foster a more inclusive approach to climate adaptation. By recognizing the value of traditional forecasting methods alongside scientific approaches, integrating these two knowledge systems can promote a more comprehensive understanding of local climate dynamics, improving the accuracy and reliability of forecasts. Moreover, the participation of traditional forecasters in the climate outlook forums can significantly contribute to the improved acceptability of forecasts within local communities, fostering a stronger sense of ownership and community involvement in the decision-making process. Documenting the indigenous forecasting process and identifying gaps are crucial steps in fostering meaningful partnerships and collaborations between traditional and scientific communities. 

Conclusion

The co-production and co-creation of seasonal climate information represents a promising pathway for fostering sustainability, as evidenced by the recent ICPACs study  highlighted the significance of regional climate data for decision-making, while the active involvement of sub-national governments in participatory scenario planning is crucial despite challenges of scalability and resource constraints, and the integration of traditional and scientific knowledge within the co-production demonstrates potential for improved climate forecast acceptance, emphasizing the need for documenting indigenous forecasting processes and identifying gaps to facilitate collaborations between traditional and scientific communities, ultimately contributing to more inclusive and sustainable climate decision-making.