Long Paddock

The value and benefits of using seasonal climate forecasts in making business decisions: A review

The front cover of The Value and Benefits of Using Seasonal Climate Forecasts

The front cover of The Value and Benefits of Using Seasonal Climate Forecasts

Colin J. Paull

Department of Primary Industries, Queensland
November 2002

Project Series QO02012
ISSN 0727-6281
Agdex 020/800

Introduction

Australia has one of the most variable climates in the world with the largest variability being in the north-east of the continent. Periodic droughts have significant intermittent impacts on primary production. A typical major drought reduces the gross value of agricultural production by about 10%, and the Gross National Product by about 1%.

Seasonal climate forecasts (SCFs) are becoming more accurate, and have considerable potential to enable managers in climate-affected industries to reduce unwanted impacts and take advantage of expected favourable climatic conditions. However, the potential benefits of SCFs vary considerably because of many physical, biological, economic, social and political factors.

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Last updated: 15 June 2009

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