The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Climate Center (APCC) has secured a key database for global climate research.
The APCC announced Friday that it has completed the transfer of the Climate-system Historical Forecast Project (CHFP), a core database of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), and has begun a pilot service.
CHFP is the world's largest climate prediction database, consolidating historical climate prediction data produced by nine institutions in climate-leading countries including Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. It is regarded as a key research infrastructure used by research institutions around the world to verify and improve the performance of climate prediction models.
This transfer moved operational authority from the previous operator, Argentina's Center for Atmospheric and Ocean Research (CIMA), to the APCC. It carries significant meaning as an official recognition by the international climate science community of the APCC's data management and operational capabilities.
In particular, through this transfer, the APCC has secured not only the existing CHFP data but also the latest historical prediction data from 13 global climate prediction institutions affiliated with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), including Korea's Korea Meteorological Administration. By applying its own multi-model ensemble (MME) technology, the APCC has also established a research foundation that can improve climate prediction accuracy.
Multi-model ensemble is a technology that reduces prediction errors by comprehensively analyzing multiple climate prediction models. The APCC currently produces high-quality climate prediction information using climate prediction data from 16 institutions in 11 countries.
With this database, the APCC has positioned itself as the largest climate data hub in the Asia-Pacific region, integrating and managing climate prediction data from countries around the world. Going forward, researchers at home and abroad will be able to use the APCC system to analyze the causes of climate change, conduct long-term climate predictions, and carry out research to improve prediction model performance.
As responding to climate change emerges as a factor in national competitiveness, the establishment of core infrastructure for global climate research in Busan is also drawing attention. Positive effects are expected not only in expanding international joint research but also in enhancing the competitiveness of Korea's climate technology and expanding Korea's influence in global climate governance.
"Starting with the CHFP pilot service, we plan to continuously expand core climate prediction data and advance the system," said Kim Hyung-jin, acting president of the APCC. "By providing the highest level of climate information services to the international community, we will establish ourselves as an institution that leads global climate change response and the advancement of climate research."
