AP-PLAT, ClimoCast and other adaptation tools were discussed at the AIM training workshop

Date 4-5/OCT/2021
Location Virtual event

AP-PLAT participated in the two-day Asia-Pacific Integrated Model (AIM) Training Workshop on Oct. 4-5, 2021. Day 1 focused on the role climate models in mitigation; Day 2 featured tools for climate adaptation, and that’s where AP-PLAT, ClimoCast, Climate Impact Viewer and H08 Water Risk Tool took the stage. The second day had over 50 online participants mostly from Asian countries and mostly (but not only) from research/academic institutions. Participants had a unique opportunity to view and use projection and assessment tools which are still in their pre-release stage, and tool developers at NIES had a chance to obtain valuable user feedback.
This report is a summary of the tools introduced on Day 2. Detailed agenda of the entire workshop, including Day 1, is at the end of the article.

AP-PLAT

AP-PLAT, a web-based information platform on climate adaptation established in 2019, is now undergoing a major renewal, with a new website to be launched on November 1, 2021. The new website will offer both improved functionality and more robust content particularly relevant to the climate adaptation stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region. At the workshop, where AP-PLAT was introduced by Dr. Yuji Masutomi, participants were able to view the new website before the official launch.

Dr. Masutomi introducing AP-PLAT

ClimoCast

ClimoCast, also to be released on November 1, is a new CMIP6 climate projection tool that aims to make climate projections available to everyone, including people without academic background. At the workshop, Dr. Masutomi, the developer of ClimoCast, gave participants access to the test page and guided them through several hands-on exercises. The feedback, obtained both through the chat box and the follow-up questionnaire, was overwhelmingly positive, but we also received many invaluable comments regarding the remaining issues, from functionalities that don’t work properly, to suggestions what features should be added. We appreciate every comment and survey response. We will use the feedback to improve ClimoCast in the next development cycle.
[Tool overview] ClimoCast is a tool for future climate projections based on the latest (CMIP6) data. It includes four major socio-economic scenarios (from low to very high emissions) and ten climate models, allows users to downscale projections to their town level, easily compare various scenarios, models and time periods, and download data in the CSV format. We hope that many people around the world and especially in Asia and the Pacific will find it useful to evaluate future changes in temperature and precipitation in their location and utilize this knowledge in their adaptation activities.

Dr. Masutomi introducing ClimoCast

Climate Impact Viewer

Another tool introduced at the workshop was Climate Impact Viewer - an existing tool now undergoing a major makeover. Climate Impact Viewer is a map tool that displays the results of future impact assessment in four areas: climate, water resources, vegetation, and health. At the workshop, the tool was presented by Dr. Kazutaka Oka, the tool’s developer, and similarly to ClimoCast, participants were given access to the test page and could try out the tool themselves.

Dr. Oka introducing Climate Impact Viewer

H08 Water Risk Tool

Dr. Julien Boulange from NIES presented a new H08 Water Risk Tool, based on H08 model - a state-of-the-art global hydrological model. The tool allows users to see future water risk projections in their location. Users can choose from multiple climate models (or an ensemble), various indicators from Water risk index (such as water depletion), three representative scenarios (RCPs) and other options. In this presentation as well, participants were given direct access to the tool to get a hands-on experience.

Dr. Boulange introducing H08 Water Risk Tool

Agenda(Japanese Standard Time)

Day 1 (October 4, 2021)
[ Session 1: Opening ]
Session 1 – Session chair: Ms. Tomoko Ishikawa (LoCARNet and IGES, Japan)
13:00 Welcome Address / Mr. Yoshihiro Mizutani (MOEJ, Japan)
13:10 Introduction of this AIM Training Workshop: Purpose and outline / Dr. Toshihiko Masui (NIES, Japan)
13:20 Self-Introduction / All participants
13:30 What is model?: How to contribute models to promote climate / Dr. Toshihiko Masui (NIES, Japan)
14:00 What is the AIM (Asia-Pacific Integrated Model)? / Dr. Toshihiko Masui (NIES, Japan)
14:30 Climate policy and AIM: Collaboration with stakeholders and network development in Asia / Ms. Tomoko Ishikawa (LoCARNet and IGES, Japan)
15:00 Coffee Break
[Session 2: Climate mitigation and AIM ]
Session chair: Dr. Toshihiko Masui (NIES, Japan)
15:40 ExSS, Enduse and CGE to assess mitigation options / Dr. Toshihiko Masui (NIES, Japan)
16:00 Introduction of ExSS / Dr. Kei Gomi (NIES, Japan)
16:30 Introduction of AIM/Enduse / Mr. Tomoki Hirayama (MIRT, Japan) and Mr. Go Hibino (NIES, Japan)
17:00 Introduction of AIM/CGE / Dr. Toshihiko Masui (NIES, Japan)
18:00 Adjourn
Day 2 (October 5, 2021)
[Session 3: Climate change impacts & adaptation and AIM]
Session chair: Dr. Yuji Masutomi (NIES, Japan)
13:00 Introduction of AP-PLAT / Dr. Yuji Masutomi (NIES, Japan)
13:10 New CMIP6 tool "ClimoCast" / Dr. Yuji Masutomi (NIES, Japan)
14:00 Climate Impact Viewer / Dr. Kazutaka Oka (NIES, Japan)
14:30 H08 Water Risk Tool / Dr. Julien Eric Stanislas Boulange (NIES, Japan)
15:00 Discussion
15:30 Coffee Break
[Session 4: Discussion on how to apply AIM in your country]
Session chair: Dr. Toshihiko Masui (NIES, Japan)
16:30 Discussion on how to apply AIM in your country
- Requests from participants
- Questions on individual model and tool
- Others
17:50 Closing remark / Ms. Tomoko Ishikawa (LoCARNet and IGES, Japan)
18:00 Adjourn

(Posted : 12/OCT/2021)