World Bank CMIP5 Global Climate Change Viewer provides free access to downscaled climate projections for temperature and precipitation derived from leading global climate models, enabling detailed analysis of climate change impacts for development planning and adaptation strategies.
Part of the World Bank's Climate Change Knowledge Portal, this viewer offers high-resolution climate projections from the CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5) models, providing essential data for understanding future climate conditions at national and regional scales.
Whether you're working on development project design, climate risk assessment, adaptation planning, or policy development, the CMIP5 Viewer provides authoritative climate projections to support climate-informed decision-making.
1. CMIP5 Climate Model Data
The viewer provides access to state-of-the-art climate projections:
Global Climate Models:
- CMIP5 ensemble of leading climate models
- Multi-model averages and individual model results
- Peer-reviewed and internationally validated models
- IPCC Assessment Report featured projections
Downscaled Projections:
- High-resolution spatial data (0.5° grid resolution)
- Statistical downscaling for regional detail
- Bias correction applied to historical observations
- Country and regional boundary integration
2. Comprehensive Climate Variables
The tool covers key climate parameters:
Temperature Projections:
- Mean temperature (annual and seasonal)
- Maximum and minimum temperature trends
- Temperature extremes and heat indices
- Diurnal temperature range changes
Precipitation Projections:
- Total precipitation (annual and seasonal)
- Precipitation intensity and frequency
- Dry spell duration and drought indicators
- Extreme precipitation events
Derived Indicators:
- Growing degree days for agriculture
- Heating and cooling degree days for energy
- Drought indices for water resources
- Climate suitability indicators
3. Multiple Emission Scenarios
The viewer includes different future pathways:
RCP Scenarios:
- RCP 2.6 (strong mitigation scenario)
- RCP 4.5 (moderate emissions scenario)
- RCP 6.0 (high emissions scenario)
- RCP 8.5 (very high emissions scenario)
Time Periods:
- Historical baseline (1986-2005)
- Near-term projections (2016-2035)
- Mid-century projections (2046-2065)
- End-century projections (2081-2100)
4. Interactive Visualization Tools
The platform offers powerful analysis capabilities:
Map Visualization:
- Interactive global maps with zoom capabilities
- Color-coded projections for easy interpretation
- Layer overlay and comparison tools
- Custom area selection and analysis
Time Series Analysis:
- Historical and projected trend visualization
- Scenario comparison graphs
- Uncertainty bands and confidence intervals
- Seasonal cycle analysis
Data Export:
- CSV and Excel downloads for analysis
- High-resolution maps for reports
- Custom data extracts for specific regions
- Metadata and methodology documentation
5. Country and Regional Focus
The viewer provides tailored analysis capabilities:
Country Profiles:
- National-level climate summaries
- Administrative boundary data integration
- Population-weighted averages
- Economic sector specific projections
Regional Analysis:
- Multi-country comparisons
- River basin and watershed analysis
- Ecosystem-based regional groupings
- Development region classifications
6. Development Applications
The tool is designed for practical development use:
Project Planning:
- Climate screening for development projects
- Infrastructure design climate considerations
- Agricultural planning and crop suitability
- Water resource management planning
Risk Assessment:
- Climate hazard identification and mapping
- Vulnerability analysis support
- Impact assessment for development sectors
- Adaptation option evaluation
Policy Support:
- National adaptation plan development
- Climate policy impact assessment
- Investment planning under climate change
- International climate commitment support
Getting Started with CMIP5 Viewer
- Visit the Climate Knowledge Portal at climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/cmip5
- Select countries or regions for analysis
- Choose climate variables and emission scenarios
- Explore maps and time series for different time periods
- Compare scenarios and model projections
- Download data and maps for further analysis
Use Cases
- Development Project Design: Incorporate climate projections into project planning
- Climate Risk Assessment: Evaluate future climate hazards and impacts
- Adaptation Planning: Design climate adaptation strategies and measures
- Policy Development: Support evidence-based climate policy making
- Research Applications: Access high-quality climate data for studies
- Investment Analysis: Assess climate risks for development investments
The World Bank CMIP5 Global Climate Change Viewer democratizes access to sophisticated climate projections, enabling development practitioners worldwide to integrate climate science into their planning and decision-making processes.
