The Global Framework for Climate Services: An ‘imaginary’ of climate services shaping practice

Climate services are fast being embraced as key climate adaptation tools, in a drive to base societies’ adaptive decisions on advanced forecasting technologies. Desired futures for climate services are most clearly articulated through the World Meteorological Organisation’s Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS), which describes a normative configuration of actors, practices, knowledges, and technologies through which climate services ought to become societally realised. The vision presented in the GFCS has been influential in steering the field of climate services since 2009. However, it has also arguably re-produced some mal-adaptive practices on a loop, in ways that frustrate the fulfilment of its own objectives and the wider demand-needs of actors using climate services. In this article, through an analysis of GFCS-related documentation we interpret the fundamental governance characteristics of a particular ‘sociotechnical imaginary’ for climate services. One that is dominantly conveyed within the current formulation of the GFCS. Next, based on a prior comprehensive desktop-review of 61 climate services across the Greater Horn of Africa, we show the performative effect of this imaginary – that the prevailing characteristics identified have become enacted. Understanding climate service development as contingent to a specific sociotechnical imaginary can help explain the historical embeddedness and cyclical perpetuation of practices exemplified in the so-called climate service ‘usability gap’. • A dominant sociotechnical imaginary for climate services has emerged. • The sociotechnical imaginary has effected climate service policy and practice. • Eight main characteristics define the dominant sociotechnical imaginary. • Document analysis of the GFCS makes visible these characteristics. • One explanation for the continued ‘usability gap’ in climate services is offered.