On November 12, 2024, during COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, China released the Action Plan on Early Warning for Climate Change Adaptation (2025–2027) (hereinafter “the Action Plan”). The plan outlines measures to enhance global capacities in monitoring, forecasting, and early warning of extreme weather and climate events, while encouraging international cooperation and the exchange of knowledge, technologies, and good practices. It also supports regional collaboration on early warning, contributing to the implementation of the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All initiative and the broader global climate resilience.
Early Warning for Climate Change Adaptation: China's Action
1. Background
With global warming intensifying, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe. The 2024 floods in Spain, Hurricane Helene in the southeastern United States, and Super Typhoon Yagi in China and Vietnam underscore the critical role of meteorological early warning systems in saving lives and reducing losses.
Experience worldwide demonstrates that developing efficient early warning systems is a crucial pathway to strengthening climate adaptation and one of the most cost-effective adaptation measures. As the first line of defence against climate-related risks, early warning systems play a pivotal role in facilitating timely disaster response. Effective early warning mechanisms not only help minimize casualties but also protect critical sectors that underpin economic and social stability, such as agriculture, infrastructure, and energy. They provide a foundation for fostering safer, more resilient, and sustainable societies.
While progress has been made under the Early Warnings for All initiative, many vulnerable regions—particularly least developed countries and small island developing states—still face challenges in developing early warning capacities. In line with broader global efforts to strengthen climate resilience and support the objectives of the initiative, national efforts in China have focused on improving the timeliness, accuracy, and coordination of meteorological early warning systems. Drawing on these experiences, the Action Plan seeks to share relevant technologies and good practices with the international community, fostering cooperation among countries and stakeholders to enhance early warning capacities and collective resilience to climate-related risks.
2. Main Contents of the Action Plan
The Action Plan aligns with the four pillars of the Early Warnings for All initiative—disaster risk knowledge; detection, observation, monitoring, analysis and forecasting; warning dissemination and communication; and preparedness and response capabilities. It is also consistent with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting a comprehensive and integrated approach to strengthening global early warning capacity.
Drawing on practical experience and technological innovation, the Action Plan identifies four priority areas to accelerate global progress toward the Early Warnings for All objectives.
1) Sharing Knowledge and Tools for Climate Risk Survey and Assessment.
The Action Plan supports the systematic exchange of knowledge and methodologies for climate risk surveys and assessments, contributing to Pillar 1 (Disaster Risk Knowledge). Drawing on national and regional experiences, it promotes the sharing of technical standards, operational procedures, knowledge management, and applications. These efforts aim to assist developing countries in better understanding and evaluating their climate risks, providing a scientific foundation for effective adaptation and early warning mechanisms.
2) Building a Climate Risk Monitoring, Forecasting, and Warning Platform.
To strengthen Pillars 2 and 3 (Detection, Observation, Monitoring, Analysis and Forecasting and Warning Dissemination and Communication), the Action Plan envisions the development of integrated monitoring and forecasting platforms. This includes the planned launch of three Fengyun geostationary meteorological satellites over the next two years, providing high-frequency data and services for countries in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, along with collaboration on cloud-based early warning systems tailored to local needs.
3) Promoting Climate-Resilient Societies through Shared Expertise.
In support of Pillar 4 (Preparedness and Response Capabilities), the Action Plan encourages the exchange of policies and good practices on disaster prevention, emergency management, and climate-resilient urban development. It promotes mutual learning in areas such as disaster prevention legislation, interdepartmental emergency plans, and community-based disaster risk reduction, helping countries strengthen preparedness capacities and policy frameworks.
4) Enhancing Early Warning Capabilities in Developing Countries.
Through flagship South-South cooperation projects, the Action Plan provides targeted support to developing countries to improve meteorological observation and early warning systems. Support includes the provision of equipment, technical assistance, and training programs in early warning, risk assessment, and climate adaptation, as well as scholarships and visiting scholar opportunities. These initiatives aim to strengthen local capacities, foster knowledge exchange, and promote technological innovation in climate risk management.
3. Institutional, Legal, and Technological Innovations
The four priority areas draw upon China’s experience accumulated in institutional coordination, legal reform, and technological innovation within the meteorological sector. These initiatives are centred on improving coordination efforts, refining governance structures, and harnessing advanced technologies to enhance the timeliness, precision, and effectiveness of early warnings.
Institutional Coordination and Service Innovation
China has developed a progressive meteorological service model that strengthens collaboration across multiple sectors, including emergency management, water resources, and agriculture. Interdepartmental consultations, joint risk assessments, and graded response mechanisms enable a unified emergency response system from the national to local levels. This approach facilitates the rapid dissemination of early warning information and the provision of clear, actionable guidance to the public prior to major weather events.
Legal and Regulatory Frameworks
Legislative and policy instruments in China, such as the Meteorology Law and the Regulations on Meteorological Disaster Prevention, have been updated to strengthen the institutional foundation for early warning operations. These frameworks institutionalize mechanisms for information dissemination, interagency cooperation, and public engagement, translating effective disaster prevention practices into standardized procedures that support consistent implementation.
Technological Advancement
In China, an integrated “cloud + terminal” early warning system has been developed, combining Fengyun meteorological satellites, global numerical weather prediction, and AI models to support multi-hazard monitoring across meteorological, hydrological, environmental, and marine domains. Elements if this system have been shared with countries such as Pakistan and the Solomon Islands, contributing to capacity-building efforts through South-South cooperation.
Regional and International Cooperation
Collaborative initiatives led by China, such as the “Silk Road Wind Chime” early warning platform and overseas data service nodes for ASEAN countries, have contributed to enhancing cross-border information exchange and coordinated responses to severe weather events. Partnerships among the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, the World Meteorological Organization, and the China Meteorological Administration, have strengthened regional early warning cooperation networks, promoting openness, inclusiveness, and shared learning among participating countries.
4. Meteorological Capacity Support for Developing Countries
Drawing on its experience in meteorological modernization, China is well positioned to contribute to the strengthening of early warning systems in other countries through the sharing of technical expertise, practical tools, and capacity-building initiatives.
Monitoring.
To improve regional observation capacity, plans are underway for the launch of three Fengyun geostationary meteorological satellites over the next two years—one optical satellite positioned over the Indian Ocean and two (one optical and one microwave) over the Western Pacific. These satellites will provide high-frequency, on-demand scanning services to support meteorological monitoring in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Complementary initiatives aim to strengthen localized observation networks by providing suitable equipment and technical assistance, thereby improving real-time detection and assessment of regional climate risks.
Forecasting and Early Warning.
An integrated cloud-based early warning platform has been developed that combines multiple numerical weather prediction models, AI systems, and a multi-hazard early warning toolkit. This system enhances forecasting accuracy for extreme events such as typhoons, heavy rainfall, and sandstorms. Through an interactive “cloud + terminal” platform, digital products and forecasting tools are made accessible to partner institutions, supporting capacity development and technology transfer that help narrow gaps in early warning capabilities.
Service Models and Capacity Development.
Innovative service mechanisms, including progressive meteorological services and high-level warning activation procedures, have been introduced as references to help improve institutional coordination and response efficiency. Capacity-building initiatives, such as training programs and expert exchanges, assist developing countries in building local meteorological service teams. The exchange of regulations, emergency plans, and operational guidelines also offers practical reference for countries working to strengthen their policy and regulatory systems for disaster prevention and meteorological services in line with their national circumstances.
5. Future Global Cooperation in Meteorological Early Warning
Building on Domestic Experience and International Support
Building on its domestic meteorological modernization and building upon on-going international cooperation, China will continue to contribute to enhancing global early warning capacity and fostering collective responses to climate risks. Through South-South cooperation, North-South dialogue, and multilateral engagement, these efforts seek to support the UN’s Early Warnings for All initiative and promote a more inclusive and coordinated approach to global climate governance.
Deepening Technological Cooperation and Innovation
China will work with international partners to expand access to advanced forecasting and early warning technologies, promoting the cloud + terminal early warning platform as a shared model for international collaboration. Fengyun geostationary satellites will continue to provide high-resolution disaster monitoring services to the global community, while AI-driven large models and numerical prediction systems will contribute improving the accuracy of meteorological forecasting and risk assessment. Collaborative mechanisms, including the Green Development Partnership Initiative under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, will help advance technology transfer and innovative-driven partnerships.
Strengthening regional cooperation mechanisms
China supports the establishment of regional data service nodes in climate-vulnerable areas, such as Africa, ASEAN, and South Asia. These nodes aim to enhance multi-hazard information sharing, strengthen joint prevention mechanisms, and promote cross-border coordination in addressing droughts, floods, and other weather-related hazards. Collaboration with developed countries and multilateral partners will be explored to enhance the interoperability and global reach of early warning services.
Enhancing capacity-building and scientific cooperation
Capacity-building efforts will focus on training, joint research, and institutional partnerships to strengthen local scientific and technical capabilities. Initiatives such as joint laboratories and collaborative research platforms will foster the development of expertise in developing countries. Deeper cooperation with the World Meteorological Organization and other international institutions will help enhance the effectiveness of global early warning networks and support vulnerable countries in establishing localized and sustainable systems.
Exploring integrated and innovative cooperation models
Future collaboration will seek to integrate early warning systems with broader sustainable development goals, promoting an “early warning for development” approach. This includes aligning agricultural meteorological services with food security efforts and linking urban meteorological services with infrastructure resilience. Active engagement from governments, the private sector, and civil society will be encouraged to create an open, inclusive, and action-oriented platform for international collaboration in climate risk management.
Reference:
2. COP29丨China’s Action Plan on Early Warningfor Climate Change Adaptation (2025-2027) Published
