Rapid urbanisation across Southeast Asia means more people are vulnerable to climate risks. With energy demands for cooling expected to quadruple by 2040 compared to 2017, carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions will significantly increase. This will intensify global warming and pose serious challenges to energy security and public health. Thailand is also facing these issues, making sustainable planning and preparedness more critical than ever.

The Urban-Act project, funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI), hosted an important workshop that could reshape how Thai cities prepare for climate challenges. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) partnered with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and other urban climate experts to strengthen the country’s ability to monitor, predict and respond to climate-related threats in urban areas. The workshop, held on 4-5 February 2025, focused on “Integrated Urban Hydrometeorological, Climate, and Environmental Services (IUS)” – essentially comprehensive weather and climate information tailored specifically for cities.

Climate Services for Climate-Resilient City Planning

“We need to start by asking what services are needed and for which sectors”, noted Dr Sara Basart, Scientist Officer from the Science and Innovation Department, WMO, during the workshop. She emphasised the importance of meteorologists working closely with city planners, health officials, and emergency services to define hazards clearly for evidence-based adaptation planning.

Dr Basart highlighted that high-quality historical weather and climate data forms the foundation for everything from short-term forecasts to long-term climate projections. For cities, precise information about climate hazards is essential to develop adaptation strategies and projects and effective early warning systems.

Insights from Hong Kong: Tackling Climate Challenges in a High-Density City
The workshop featured valuable lessons from Hong Kong, a city facing similar climate challenges to many Thai urban centres. With its dense high-rise buildings and population of about 6,000 people per square kilometre, Hong Kong offers relevant insights for Thailand’s growing cities.

Dr Chao Ren, a professor in the Division of Landscape Architecture at the University of Hong Kong, explained how the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) provides various climate services that directly benefit city residents and infrastructure, including:

• A 9-day energy demand forecast that helps power companies and residents prepare for high-demand periods
• Climate data that inform building codes and drainage system designs to withstand extreme weather events
• Urban planning that incorporates air ventilation corridors to reduce heat and improve air quality
• A three-level heat warning system that triggers public health responses

Hong Kong has observed increasing numbers of very hot days and nights, with annual temperatures expected to rise 1.5 to 3.5°C by the end of this century. In response, authorities have developed specialised heat health advisories and warnings that activate emergency services when needed.

Public-Private Partnerships in Action
Another inspiring example came from mainland China, where the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) launched a collaborative project in 2021, bringing together over 35 stakeholders from government, business and research institutions.

This partnership has produced impressive results, including:

• High-density weather observation networks that share data widely
• Multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) focus on protecting people
• A “Warning Bell” service on WeChat that alerts students and parents about dangerous weather
• Special weather services for metro systems
• Urban ventilation corridors designed to reduce heat island effects in Shenzhen
• A storm surge warning system developed by HKO that predicts coastal flooding risks and provides specific action plans for each threat level.
• Flood alert services that use machine learning to predict problems before they happen

Thailand’s Path Forward
This workshop marks an important step in enhancing Thailand’s capacity to deliver accurate and reliable climate information to support sustainable urban planning. It aims to equip decision-makers with the tools and knowledge needed to strengthen the country’s resilience to climate-related risks in urban areas.

By building up climate services specifically designed for urban areas, Thailand is taking essential steps to protect its cities and citizens from increasing climate risks. These tailored climate services will help city planners make better decisions about infrastructure design, emergency response systems and public health measures.

Read article: Accelerating Climate Action: Strengthening TMD’s Urban Climate Services and Expertise

Following the workshop, WMO representatives met with other regional partners, including the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC), to align future support for TMD.

Climate change increases both the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, so this collaboration between Thai meteorologists and international experts represents a crucial investment in the country’s urban future.