Periodic Reporting for period 2 - MARCO (MArket Research for a Climate Services Observatory) Reporting period: 2017-11-01 to 2018-12-31 Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project Supply of climate related tools, products, data and services abounds. How effectively it serves information and decision-making in public and private sectors remains little known. The current emerging market for climate services suffers from knowledge gaps of users and suppliers, lack of visibility and transparency, imperfect match between supply and user needs, need for alternative business models. Steep acceleration of action towards climate change is imperative and urgent, and the full potential of climate services must thus be optimally used and their uptake boosted, which requires a broad observation of the whole climate service market and an understanding of its future growth, enriched by transversal and sector-specific market intelligence.MARCO gathers market research firms, climate scientists, climate service practitioners and innovation actors, in dialogue with stakeholders, to provide an enriched European climate service market assessment with case studies, forecast future user needs, unveil opportunities, and promote market growth. Feedback loops between several methodologies validate findings. Integrated market research draws on climate vulnerability analysis, potential market estimation, transactional market quantification, qualitative surveys, sectorial / regional case studies. Gap analysis and innovation modelling reveal the untapped market and outline market growth until 2030. Recommendations for the establishment of a market observation/support plartform and facilitation are finally delivered. Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far In WP1, the Detailed Work Plan was finalised. Quality, Data and Risk management plans were designed and applied. Partner interaction was articulated around in-person meetings (Kick-Off Meeting, 1st Plenary Meeting). In between, monthly conference calls were held to share information and discuss points for alignment or clarification. A private web platform for document workflow was implemented. Extensive discussions enabled better alignment and compatibility across the different work packages.WP2 provided the initial taxonomy for the analysis carried out in work packages 3 to 6, which includes a categorisation of types of climate services and sectors. Applying the same terminology ensures integration of results. An updated terminology is under development. Based on preliminary findings in MARCO from WPs 3 to 6, first steps were taken to derive recommendations for a Climate Services Market Observatory in terms of functionalities, content and business model.In WP3, an analysis of EU climate service suppliers, a categorised climate service suppliers database and a mapping of typical business models were completed. Main findings are that suppliers tend to target the water, energy, agriculture & urban planning sectors. Services offered most frequently are advisory services and publications. The structure of providers, contrary to previous mappings, shows a more equal share of public and private providers. Business models vary by type of organisation, but in general businesses need to meet specific customer & market needs.In WP4, five deliverables were completed : a climate vulnerability analysis, an analysis of climate service market transactions, an analysis of climate service applications, an analysis of climate service markets by European region and a Qualitative analysis & segmentation of market needs & demands for climate service applications. A sixth deliverable, Defining & Measuring CS Demand, is expected to be finalised shortly.WP5 developed research guidance and methodology used by all task leaders, and a suite of supporting Excel data collection and analysis tools. Each case study researched the profile of climate services supply and use (focusing on demand) in their respective sectors and regions by means of both desktop research and direct stakeholder engagement (interviews and workshops). All studies were researched, drafted, and reviewed.In WP6, the document titled “Data coordination across MARCO WPs” developed a structural description of how data generated in different MARCO WP’s including market transactions, case studies, and vulnerability mapping can feed into a forecasting methodology, which combines vulnerabilities in geographical areas and sectors, economic activity forecasts. This will feed into an upcoming vulnerability assessment in a forecasting perspective.In WP7, the following material was developed: a press release, MARCO’s visual identity, the first MARCO newsletter, a project flyer, a powerpoint template, an events calendar, a stakeholder database, FAQs. The MARCO website was designed and launched. WP7 has been running regular news items from the project and other related events as well as a Twitter account with more than 200 followers. The 1st Stakeholder workshop was organised, in co-location with the Climate-KIC Climate Innovation Summit. Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far) Substantial work is needed to achieve a fully consistent view of the current and forecast market of climate services (“CS”), but WPs 2 – 5 already inform current knowledge with interesting learnings.D2.1 provides an economic baseline for the Weather & Climate Services (WS/CS) sector. The 2011 definition and sector taxonomy is refined and enriched with new sectors by application to WP3 and WP4 of its business/industry sectors and CS product types.Compared with previous mappings, D3.1 results are consistent but more robust: D3.2’s data assimilation on CS providers includes surveys (as previous mappings did) but also desk research, doubling the number of CS providers. D3.3 compares business models of CS providers in more detail than before.D4.1 jointly analyses impacts of extreme climate events and vulnerability of sectors at regional scale. D4.2 applies a common quantitative methodology for first-time analysis of CS market transactions. D4.3 updates the original WS/CS taxonomy with 380 new CS applications and 3 new end-user sectors. D4.5 enriches quantitative CS market analysis with regional analysis. Its updatable data go beyond available ones at Eurostat level, with a NUTS 2 mapping to NACE codes.D4.6 detects differences between the literature on CS and the actual market; many interviewees cannot readily say whether they use CS. In D4.7 in-depth data allows for deeper integrated analysis of the CS market demand than was possible from other data.WP5 innovates with a dual approach of up-to-date market research and direct engagement with CS sectors, exploring sectoral demand/purchasing patterns. It creates the first quali-quantitative sector-specific CS demand studies, including institutional, financial and social factors. These give new insights into the CS types most demanded, and steps to increase demand. The mapping of CS now includes legal, actuarial, communications and other ‘new’ CS providers.The case studies form a replicable template for sector-based understandings of the CS market. They modulate a common approach with productive techniques to engage specific sectors, and coalesce demand- and supply- side actors with its framework for mutual encounter and learning.One sector, legal services, is assessed for the first time for CS demand as the latter should be boosted by laws, legal norms, disputes, and climate-related compliance frameworks. Group photo
