The IMPACT2C web-atlas – Conception, organization and aim of a web-based climate service product

Abstract

The IMPACT2C web-atlas is a web-based climate service product, which presents interdisciplinary project results in a harmonized format. The web-platform www.atlas.impact2c.eu is targeted at a wide audience for the purpose of awareness raising and supporting decision makers in policy negotiations. This paper documents the concept of the technical environment of the web-atlas and the three basic methodological concepts of this climate service product. From the technical point of view, a new combination of Content Management System and Geographical Information System was established. From the methodological side, the “storyline concept” is explained, which assembles the project’s results within the key sectors: energy, water, tourism, health, agriculture, ecosystems and forestry, as well as coastal and low-lying areas. The “2 °C global warming concept” is a strategy for a homogenized data analysis within the project. It guarantees a coherent ensemble analysis, and enables the cohesive presentation of the potential spread of projected changes as well as information on the ensembles reliability. Finally, a “similarity concept” homogenizes the associated descriptive texts and map visualizations. The resulting climate service product is an open access information tool, designed to enable the dissemination of current and upcoming interdisciplinary projects and their results.