Objectives
Fund scope
As outlined in the Sixth Assessment Report of the United Nations (UN) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the climate crisis is rapidly accelerating. Intensifying climate events have led to visible impacts that include record-breaking temperatures along with an increase in floods and wildfires and, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the number of disasters has increased by a factor of five in the last 50 years with average daily losses of $383 million US dollars.
Efficient, life-saving climate and weather monitoring and prediction services rely on robust observations, information exchange, and predictive tools since quality data is the only source of information about the climate. These are foundational elements of the meteorological value chain and failing to deliver these inputs severely affects local predictive capacities and limits the ability of all countries to adapt in the face of adverse climate outcomes.
The overarching goal of SOFF stakeholders is to strengthen climate adaptation and resilient development through improved weather forecasts, early warning systems, and climate information services to save lives, improve livelihoods, and protect property. SOFF is designed to fill missing gaps in weather and meteorological observations in small island developing states (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs), in particular. Stakeholders support Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) implementation and global calls made through the Sustainable Development Goals, Paris Agreement, and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. By doing so, stakeholders establish better resilient development, climate change, and early warning outcomes through a focus on robust weather and climate data, predictive data, and responses.
Following the GBON model of systematically addressing persistent problems, SOFF members strive to ensure SIDS and LDCs have the financing and know-how to deliver on GBON commitments. The Facility deploys a global approach with international data exchange, innovative finance for sustainable GBON compliance, improved technical competency and coordination, and leveraged partner resources as indicators of success. This combination of features makes it possible for SOFF stakeholder to channel international support that strengthens national basic observation capacities and sharing data in new and more effective and sustainable ways. The Facility is currently sourcing its first $200 million US dollars to kick off its Implementation Period—an estimate based on the expected number of countries and stations that need support.
Theory of change
Financing and technical support is provided in three phases with outputs designed to achieve sustained GBON compliance. The three phases of SOFF support include:
- The Readiness Phase: SIDS, LDCs and other Official Development Assistance (ODA)-eligible countries can access technical and advisory assistance provided by national meteorological services to define their GBON gap and to develop a GBON National Contribution Plan.
- The Investment Phase: SIDS and LDCs receive grants for investments and advisory support to establish the network of GBON stations and strengthen human and institutional capacities for GBON compliance.
- The Compliance Phase: SIDS and LDCs receive results-based finance in support of operation and maintenance expenses for GBON data sharing compliant stations.
Structured as a “UN coalition fund” to increases effectiveness, reach, and impact, SOFF stakeholders work with local actors to positively augment weather and climate prediction tools and measures. Action contributes to augmenting global understanding of past and current climate events, which progresses the ability to predict and project future climate scenarios, as well as strengthen climate adaption and resilient development through improved weather forecasts, early warning systems, and climate information services.
> $55M 
$55M - $25M
$25M - $5M
< $5M
