Dataset for "A new north-south divide for climate knowledge? A case study of climate projections in UNFCCC’s National Communications"

Open access
Produzent(in)
Datum
2018Typ
- Dataset
ETH Bibliographie
yes
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Abstract
A north-south divide in the production of climate knowledge exists. While the north is home to a variety of climate models, data infrastructures and climate experts, the south often lacks these attributes. We use a unique global dataset, the UNFCCC National Communications, to perform a global documentary analysis of scientific submissions from individual countries (n=189). Focusing on the production and use of climate projections, our research both supports, and importantly, challenges such a clear-cut north-south divide. For instance, the global north in general uses more complex climate modelling techniques, yet numerous countries in the global south have a higher scientific capacity than some northern ones. Beyond scientific capacities, the south emphasises mid-term timeframes (before 2060) more relevant for their adaptation decisions whereas the north prefers a long-term view and is generally more optimistic of global mitigation efforts. While the use of Global Climate Model (GCM) ensembles is widespread in the global north and south, the south’s access to climate models is restricted to mobile climate projection tools. Although modelling tools such as PRECIS enable countries with little scientific capacity to produce reliable climate risk assessments, these tools may hide a new divide between the global north and global south. Unable to customise inputs, such as country-specific observations or modelling information, the global south might become dependent upon the climate modelling tools circulated by the global north. Our research calls for a more nuanced and critical use of the north-south divide, and highlights that well-intended modelling and training efforts may unwittingly restrict, rather than foster, scientific capacities in the global south. Mehr anzeigen
Persistenter Link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000286411Verlag
ETH ZurichSoftware
Manual codingGesammelt
2017Thema
climate projections; climate scenarios; climate information; adaptation; North-South divide; role and use of climate scienceOrganisationseinheit
09576 - Bresch, David Niklaus / Bresch, David Niklaus
ETH Bibliographie
yes
Altmetrics