How do you define a successful climate service for adaptation?

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By Eva Boon

15 / 01 / 2024

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At CAS, we provide various climate adaptation services. For example, we make atlases on climate effects, provide training on climate information and develop tools that help parties gain insight into climate risks. Eva Boon researches what makes a climate service successful. An earlier literature review showed that scientists have many different ideas about this. Eva therefore brought together experts from all over the world to come up with a definition of a successful climate service. The study showed that the judgement of users of climate services plays an important role in this. She wrote an article about it in Environmental Science & Policy with colleagues from Wageningen University & Research (WUR).

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Delphi method: experts search together for a definition

More and more climate services for adaptation are being developed, but it is unclear when they are successful and how to evaluate this. Therefore, the researchers asked experts what characteristics make a climate service successful. These experts consisted of scientists and people working on climate services in practice. For this, the ‘delphi method’ was used. With this method, you examine whether you can reach agreement on a particular problem or question. In this study, the experts were able to assess and add characteristics during three rounds of surveys. They could also read each other’s assessment and arguments, and if this led to new insights, they could adjust their opinions afterwards.

Twelve characteristics determine success

The three survey rounds showed that the success of a climate service is determined by twelve characteristics. The table below describes these characteristics. Most are about the climate service itself and the outcomes as a result of producing or using the service. Only one characteristic is about how a climate service is produced. For many of the characteristics, the judgment of users is important. They determine whether they find the service relevant, accessible and credible, for example. The researchers also drew up two more possible definitions of a successful climate service with these characteristics. The experts had no clear preference for one or the other.

Table of the 12 characteristics of a successful climate service

Applying the twelve characteristics in projects

CAS can use the results of this study in several ways. For example, when developing a climate service, we can keep the twelve characteristics in mind and monitor whether we are on the right track. In addition, we can now properly evaluate and compare climate services that have been completed. In her follow-up study, Eva researches how to apply the twelve characteristics in a practical way in projects.

Delphi method: experts search together for a definition

More and more climate services for adaptation are being developed, but it is unclear when they are successful and how to evaluate this. Therefore, the researchers asked experts what characteristics make a climate service successful. These experts consisted of scientists and people working on climate services in practice. For this, the ‘delphi method’ was used. With this method, you examine whether you can reach agreement on a particular problem or question. In this study, the experts were able to assess and add characteristics during three rounds of surveys. They could also read each other’s assessment and arguments, and if this led to new insights, they could adjust their opinions afterwards.

Twelve characteristics determine success

The three survey rounds showed that the success of a climate service is determined by twelve characteristics. The table below describes these characteristics. Most are about the climate service itself and the outcomes as a result of producing or using the service. Only one characteristic is about how a climate service is produced. For many of the characteristics, the judgment of users is important. They determine whether they find the service relevant, accessible and credible, for example. The researchers also drew up two more possible definitions of a successful climate service with these characteristics. The experts had no clear preference for one or the other.

Table of the 12 characteristics of a successful climate service

Applying the twelve characteristics in projects

CAS can use the results of this study in several ways. For example, when developing a climate service, we can keep the twelve characteristics in mind and monitor whether we are on the right track. In addition, we can now properly evaluate and compare climate services that have been completed. In her follow-up study, Eva researches how to apply the twelve characteristics in a practical way in projects.

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