wrr-2010-11-question-6-response-1-5c78a6784bfd61dd.pdf

This research paper by Roger Street of the UK Climate Impacts Programme examines the requirements for climate information to be useful in adaptation decision-making. The author argues that information must be 'decision-relevant,' meaning it is tailored to the specific spatial and temporal scales of the decision process and the needs of the user community. The paper emphasizes that providing more data is not always beneficial and that a joint responsibility between information providers and users, fostered through sustained engagement, is necessary to bridge the gap between scientific data and practical policy implementation.

• For climate information to be useful in decision-making, it must be 'decision-relevant,' which requires it to align with the specific geographical scales and time frames of the decision-making process. Spatial relevance is determined by the scales at which decisions are affected and the frameworks used, while temporal resolution must align with investment, policy-making, and replacement schedules.
• There is a necessary tension between the demand for high-resolution spatial and temporal information and the requirement for scientific credibility. Because these demands cannot always be met by available data, innovations in both information delivery and decision processes are required to ensure decisions are based on sound evidence.
• Information needs vary significantly based on the stage of the adaptation process. The data required to identify vulnerabilities and risks differs from the criteria needed to appraise options and set priorities, which in turn differs from the triggers and indicators required to evaluate adaptation measures after they have been implemented.
• The author asserts that 'accurate' information is not the primary requirement for adaptation; rather, the critical need is for a clear interpretation of uncertainties, assumptions, and limitations. Decision-makers require processes that integrate these uncertainties into their frameworks rather than just high-quality data.
• Increasing the volume of data can be counterproductive, as an abundance of information may confuse users and act as a barrier to decision-making. This can lead users to focus on understanding the climate itself rather than extracting the specific information needed to support a decision.
• The provision of decision-relevant information is a joint responsibility. Users must be able to articulate their desired outcomes and the evidence needed, while providers must be able to listen, interpret these requirements, and deliver innovative information solutions beyond traditional data presentations.
• Sustained engagement between users and providers is more effective than simple consultations or feedback loops. This approach helps define the 'acceptability' of information and its desired characteristics, as demonstrated during the development of the UK Climate Projections 2009.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). wrr-2010-11-question-6-response-1-5c78a6784bfd61dd.pdf. https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/2023-02/wrr-2010-11-question-6-response-1.pdf

Chicago

World Resources Institute. wrr-2010-11-question-6-response-1-5c78a6784bfd61dd.pdf. n.d. https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/2023-02/wrr-2010-11-question-6-response-1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=wrr-2010-11-question-6-response-1-5c78a6784bfd61dd.pdf |url=https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/2023-02/wrr-2010-11-question-6-response-1.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendwrr201011question6response15c78a6784bfd61ddpdf, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{wrr-2010-11-question-6-response-1-5c78a6784bfd61dd.pdf}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/2023-02/wrr-2010-11-question-6-response-1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }