Innovations in information management and access for assessments

Area of Science:

• Climate Science
• Environmental Assessment

Background:

• The third National Climate Assessment (NCA3) aimed for improved timeliness, inclusivity, rigor, and sustained engagement.
• NCA3 sought to serve a broader range of decision-makers with climate information.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design an information management strategy for NCA3 that accommodates diverse data types and stakeholders.
• To balance relevance, authority, complexity, accessibility, inclusivity, and rigor in climate assessment information management.

Main Methods:

• Developed a multi-faceted information management strategy.
• Implemented practices for data traceability and public accessibility.
• Managed numerous technical inputs and participant guidance.

Main Results:

• Successfully balanced competing demands of relevance and authority, complexity and accessibility.
• Enhanced data traceability for figures and graphics.
• Created a public-facing website and provided guidance on information quality.

Conclusions:

• A deliberate and strategic information management approach is crucial for influential climate assessments.
• The NCA3 information management strategy proved practical and usable for diverse participants and stakeholders.
• Effective information management enhances the accessibility and impact of climate science findings.