As discussed in our February 2015 High-Risk  update, a key role for the federal government is to provide technical  assistance to decision makers to help them translate available climate- related data into the information they need for such planning processes. The President’s June 2013 Climate Action Plan and November 2013  Executive Order 13653 drew attention to the need for improved technical  assistance. For example, the executive order directs numerous federal  agencies, supported by USGCRP, to work together to develop and  provide authoritative, easily accessible, usable, and timely data,  information, and decision-support tools on climate preparedness and  resilience. Risk management is based on the best available information. Information on the economic and health impacts of climate  change. Current Federal Efforts Are Fragmented and Do Not Fully Meet the Climate Information Needs of Federal, State, Local, and Private Sector Decision Makers

Current federal efforts are fragmented and do not fully meet the climate  information needs of federal, state, local, and private sector decision  makers, according to our recent reports; studies from the National  Academies and other organizations; and interviews with knowledgeable  stakeholders. The  federal government’s climate information—composed of observational  records from satellites and weather monitoring stations, projections from  complex climate models, and other tools—is fragmented across many  individual agencies that use the information in different ways to meet their  respective missions. However, as we found in our February 2015 High-Risk  update, federal, state, local, and private sector decision makers may be  unaware that climate information exists or unable to use what is available,  making it harder to justify the current costs of incorporating climate  change into planning efforts for less certain future benefits. Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom Have Organized Climate Information Systems

Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have organized  systems to meet the climate information needs of decision makers,  according to documents we reviewed and officials we interviewed from  these countries. In each climate information system we selected, the  government provides direction and funding, and entities within and  outside the government help translate climate information to meet  decision makers’ needs, although each system is organized differently. 3). U.S. Federal Climate Information Efforts Could Be Improved by Incorporating Key Organizational and Data Elements

U.S. federal climate information efforts could be improved by  incorporating key organizational and data elements, according to our  reports on adaptation and interagency collaboration, National Academies  and other studies, observations from site visits to other countries with  climate information systems, and interviews with U.S. and international  stakeholders. Specifically, the key organizational and data elements that  could improve federal climate information efforts are (1) a focused and  accountable organization, (2) authoritative data, and (3) technical  assistance. According to domestic and international stakeholders we  interviewed, authoritative data are crucial because they define a common  starting point for decision makers. Various reports we reviewed and stakeholders we interviewed also  emphasized that improved federal efforts should provide authoritative  locally-focused information because most decisions are made at the local  level. Options to Provide Climate Information to U.S. Decision Makers Have Strengths and Limitations

Various options exist for providing climate information to U.S. decision  makers, and these options have strengths and limitations, according to  our reports, other studies, interviews with officials from countries with  climate information systems, and interviews with knowledgeable  stakeholders. None of the climate information  systems we reviewed in other countries relies on a single new or existing  government agency to provide the entire spectrum of climate information  and technical assistance. A National Climate Information System Could Incorporate the Best Features and Address the Limitations of Different Options

A national climate information system with defined roles for federal  agencies and nonfederal entities could incorporate the best features and  address the limitations of different options to provide climate information  to decision makers, according to various studies we reviewed and  interviews we conducted with knowledgeable stakeholders. A nonfederal entity would be better positioned to interact with existing  networks of decision makers and to facilitate connections between  decision makers and intermediaries with specialized expertise, according  to various stakeholders. Recommendations for Executive Action

To help federal, state, local, and private sector decision makers access  and use the best available climate information, we recommend that the  Executive Office of the President designate a federal entity to take the  following two actions: develop and periodically update a set of authoritative climate change  observations and projections for use in federal decision making, which  state, local, and private sector decision makers could also access to  obtain the best available climate information; and  create a national climate information system with defined roles for  federal agencies and nonfederal entities with existing statutory  authority. They did  not provide official written comments, but did provide technical comments,  which we incorporated as appropriate.
Why GAO Did This Study

Over the last decade, the federal government incurred over $300 billion in costs due to extreme weather and fire, according to the President's 2016 budget request. Costs are expected to grow as rare events become more common and intense due to climate change, according to the National Academies. State, local, and private sector decision makers also drive fiscal exposures, as they are responsible for infrastructure paid for with federal funds or eligible for disaster aid. GAO's 2015 High-Risk update prioritized improving federal efforts to provide the best available climate information and technical assistance to help decision makers use the information to build resilience in up front.
This report examines (1) the extent to which federal efforts meet the climate information needs of decision makers; (2) examples of how other countries organized climate information systems; (3) whether and how federal efforts could be improved; and (4) the strengths and limitations of different options to provide climate information. GAO analyzed reports; reviewed systems in three other countries; and interviewed stakeholders with knowledge of climate information.

What GAO Found

Many federal efforts are under way, but the climate information needs of federal, state, local, and private sector decision makers are not being fully met, according to recent GAO reports, National Academies and other studies, and interviews with stakeholders. The November 2013 Executive Order 13653 on Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change calls on certain federal agencies to work together to provide authoritative information on climate preparedness and resilience. However, the federal government's own climate data—composed of observational records from satellites and weather stations and projections from climate models—are fragmented across individual agencies that use the information in different ways to meet their missions. GAO's February 2015 High-Risk update found that federal, state, local, and private sector decision makers may be unaware that climate information exists or be unable to use what is available.
Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have well-established climate information systems, although each country's system is organized somewhat differently. In each, the government provides direction and funding, and entities within and outside the government provide technical assistance to help decision makers understand how to use climate information in planning.
Federal climate information efforts could be improved by incorporating key organizational and data elements, according to GAO reports, studies by the National Academies and other organizations, site visits to three countries with climate information systems, and interviews with stakeholders. Specifically, the key elements are (1) a focused and accountable organization, (2) authoritative data that define the best available information for decision makers, and (3) technical assistance to help decision makers access, translate, and use climate information in planning. Authoritative locally-focused information is crucial because it defines a common starting point for decision makers, and most decisions are made at the local level.
Options to provide climate information and technical assistance to decision makers have strengths and limitations, according to studies, international site visits, and interviews with stakeholders. For example, a new federal agency would have a focused mission but could face turf conflicts with existing programs at other agencies. On the other hand, a national climate information system could be developed that would incorporate the best features and address the limitations of these options. Similar to the programs in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, a national system to provide climate information to U.S. decision makers could have roles for federal and nonfederal entities. Based on GAO's review of systems in other countries, studies, and interviews with stakeholders, a key federal role in a national climate information system would be to provide authoritative data and quality assurance guidelines for how to use the data. A nonfederal entity would be better positioned to provide on-the-ground technical assistance and facilitate connections between decision makers and intermediaries with expertise.

What GAO Recommends

GAO recommends that the Executive Office of the President (EOP) direct a federal entity to develop a set of authoritative climate change projections and observations and create a national climate information system with defined roles for federal agencies and nonfederal entities. Relevant EOP entities provided only technical comments, which GAO incorporated as appropriate.