Statement

Abstract

This paper describes the World Climate Programme (WCP) - its objectives, structure, major activities, accomplishments to date, and projections on where it is going during the next 15 years.The WCP has three main objectives: 1. To apply existing climate information to benefit a wide variety of human activities, with priority in the areas of food, water and energy, and other areas as resources permit, 2. To improve our knowledge of climate system processes through research to determine the predictability of climate and the extent of man's influence on climate, 3. To monitor and warn governments of the potential economic, social and political impacts of significant climatic variations and changes, both natural and man-made.The WCP has four components which are the responsibility of the organizations listed: A. World Climate Data Programme (WCDP): WMO B. World Climate Applications Programme (WCAP): WMO C. World Climate Research Programme (WCRP): WMO and ICSU D. World Climate Impact Studies Programme (WCIP): UNEP.The purpose of the WCDP is to provide timely access to reliable climate data in exchangeable formats, to support the other components.The purpose of the WCAP is to apply existing climate information with priorities in food, water and energy, and in other areas as resources permit.The purpose of the WCRP is to determine the predictability of climate and the extent of man's influence on climate.The purpose of the WCIP is to warn governments of the potential economic, social and political impacts of significant climatic variations or changes, both natural and manmade.Some tangible results have been achieved toward meeting each of the WCP objectives but there is still much to do. An evaluation of the results achieved so far in each component of the WCP will be given.Major directions of the WCP over the next 15 years will be indicated.