The adverse impact of climate change is a major challenge to socio-economic development globally. SADC countries are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of climate change, including water stress and scarcity, food insecurity, destruction of infrastructure and high costs of disaster management because of an increased frequency and intensity of droughts, floods and landslides. SADC Member States acknowledge that the region is unprepared for extreme weather and climatic events.

The aim of this programme is therefore to contribute to the efforts of SADC countries to adapt to climate change and climate variability by providing science-based climate prediction and information services to national and regional planning processes. This is to be achieved by building capacities of decision-makers at all levels to make effective use of climate information and services.

The activities are implemented in partnership with the ACP Secretariat, the UN’s World Meteorological Organisation and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre working hand in hand with the SADC Regional Climate Centres, especially the SADC Climate Services Centre.