Module 1: Fundamentals of Climate Science and Modeling

• The Earth's climate system: Components and interactions.
• Drivers of climate change: Natural and anthropogenic forcing.
• Introduction to climate models: What they are and how they work.
• Key climate variables and their significance.
• The scientific basis for climate projections.
• Practical session: Analyzing graphs of historical climate data (e.g., global temperature anomalies, CO2 concentrations) and discussing trends.

Module 2: Types and Scales of Climate Models

• Global Climate Models (GCMs): Capabilities and limitations.
• Regional Climate Models (RCMs): Understanding downscaling techniques.
• Earth System Models (ESMs) and their complexity.
• Process-based models vs. empirical/statistical models.
• Selection criteria for appropriate climate models based on application.
• Practical session: Comparing outputs from different GCMs for a selected region and discussing differences.

Module 3: Climate Data Sources and Downscaling Techniques

• Sources of climate model data: CMIP (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project), regional initiatives.
• Accessing and working with gridded climate data.
• Statistical downscaling methods: Regression-based, weather generators.
• Dynamic downscaling approaches: RCMs and their application.
• Choosing the right downscaling method for specific contexts.
• Practical session: Using an online climate data portal to extract climate projections for a specific location.

Module 4: Understanding Climate Scenarios and Emissions Pathways

• What are climate scenarios and why are they used?
• Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) and their characteristics.
• Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs): Integrating mitigation and adaptation.
• Interpreting the implications of different emissions pathways.
• The role of scenarios in exploring future uncertainties.
• Practical session: Discussing the differences between RCPs and SSPs and their implications for future climate.

Module 5: Impact Modeling and Sectoral Applications

• Introduction to impact modeling: Linking climate projections to sector-specific outcomes.
• Applications in water resources: Runoff, drought, flood projections.
• Agricultural impacts: Crop yields, growing seasons, pest dynamics.
• Public health impacts: Heat stress, vector-borne diseases.
• Coastal impacts: Sea-level rise, storm surges.
• Practical session: Brainstorming potential climate impacts for a given sector (e.g., tourism, energy) and how climate data could inform analysis.

Module 6: Uncertainty and Limitations in Climate Projections

• Sources of uncertainty in climate models: Initial conditions, model physics, future emissions.
• Understanding the concept of "ensembles" and probability distributions.
• Communicating uncertainty effectively to decision-makers.
• Limitations of climate models: Resolution, representation of complex processes.
• Managing risk in the face of uncertainty.
• Practical session: Analyzing ensemble climate projections and discussing the range of possible outcomes.

Module 7: Communicating Climate Model Outputs

• Principles of effective scientific communication.
• Tailoring climate information for diverse audiences (policymakers, communities).
• Visualizing climate data effectively: Maps, charts, dashboards.
• Avoiding alarmism and complacency in communication.
• Building trust and credibility in climate information.
• Practical session: Developing a short presentation or infographic based on climate model outputs for a non-technical audience.

Module 8: Integrating Climate Scenarios into Decision-Making

• Role of climate information in vulnerability and risk assessments.
• Using scenarios for adaptation planning and stress-testing decisions.
• Participatory scenario planning: Engaging stakeholders in futures thinking.
• Decision-making under uncertainty: Robust decision-making, adaptive pathways.
• Case studies of climate-informed policy and planning.
• Practical session: Applying a simplified decision-making framework to a climate-related challenge using different scenarios.

Module 9: Practical Application of Climate Modeling Tools

• Introduction to publicly available climate data platforms (e.g., IPCC DDC, World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal).
• Hands-on exercises in accessing and downloading climate projection data.
• Basic data visualization and analysis using simple tools (e.g., Excel, online visualization tools).
• Introduction to programming environments for climate data (optional, e.g., Python libraries for climate science).
• Resources for further learning and advanced tools.
• Practical session: Guided exercise to retrieve and plot historical and projected temperature/rainfall data for a specific location using an online portal.

Module 10: Developing Custom Climate Scenarios for Planning

• Identifying the purpose and scope of a custom climate scenario.
• Steps in scenario development: Baseline, drivers, future states.
• Integrating local knowledge and stakeholder perspectives.
• Selecting relevant climate variables and time horizons.
• Presenting and documenting custom scenarios for planning use.
• Practical session: Working in groups to outline a custom climate scenario for a hypothetical planning context (e.g., water management in a specific basin).

Requirements:

·       Participants should be reasonably proficient in English.

·       Applicants must live up to Armstrong Global Institute admission criteria.

Terms and Conditions

1. Discounts: Organizations sponsoring Four Participants will have the 5th attend Free

2. What is catered for by the Course Fees: Fees cater for all requirements for the training – Learning materials, Lunches, Teas, Snacks and Certification. All participants will additionally cater for their travel and accommodation expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.

3. Certificate Awarded: Participants are awarded Certificates of Participation at the end of the training.

4. The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure.

5. Approval of Course: Our Programs are NITA Approved. Participating organizations can therefore claim reimbursement on fees paid in accordance with NITA Rules.

Booking for Training

Simply send an email to the Training Officer on training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com and we will send you a registration form. We advise you to book early to avoid missing a seat to this training.

Or call us on +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588

Payment Options

We provide 3 payment options, choose one for your convenience, and kindly make payments at least 5 days before the Training start date to reserve your seat:

1. Groups of 5 People and Above – Cheque Payments to: Armstrong Global Training & Development Center Limited should be paid in advance, 5 days to the training.

2. Invoice: We can send a bill directly to you or your company.

3. Deposit directly into Bank Account (Account details provided upon request)

Cancellation Policy

1. Payment for all courses includes a registration fee, which is non-refundable, and equals 15% of the total sum of the course fee.

2. Participants may cancel attendance 14 days or more prior to the training commencement date.

3. No refunds will be made 14 days or less before the training commencement date. However, participants who are unable to attend may opt to attend a similar training course at a later date or send a substitute participant provided the participation criteria have been met.

Tailor Made Courses

This training course can also be customized for your institution upon request for a minimum of 5 participants. You can have it conducted at our Training Centre or at a convenient location. For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588 or Email training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com

Accommodation and Airport Transfer

Accommodation and Airport Transfer is arranged upon request and at extra cost. For reservations contact the Training Officer on Email: training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com or on Tel: +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588