Survey of Mozambique Public on Weather, Water, and Climate Information / by Jeffery K. Lazo

2015-08

Technical Report

The 24 million people of Mozambique in southeast Africa face extreme hydro-meteorological events including floods, droughts, and tropical cyclones as well as considerable climate change risk. The objective of the Climate Resilience: Transforming Hydro-Meteorological Services project for Mozambique is to strengthen hydro-meteorological information services to deliver reliable and timely climate information to communities and support economic development. In support of the project, this study presents economic analysis of public values for current and potentially improved hydro- meteorological and climatological services and products. A 2013 survey of 576 members of the general public elicited respondents’ 1) experience, concern, and awareness with hydro-met events; 2) sources and uses of hydro-met information; 3) importance of and 4) satisfaction with current information; 5) awareness of hydro-met agencies; and 6) importance of improving information. Three stated preference valuation methods then elicited respondents’ 1) value of current weather information services and products; 2) willingness to pay (WTP) for improved weather information using a discrete choice experiment; and 3) WTP for improved weather information using the contingent valuation method. Findings indicate that weather, water, and climate are significant and important factors in all areas of life in Mozambique, and improvements in information would add significant benefit for the general public. It was further found that there is a general need for increased awareness and access to hydro-met information. Substantive regional and urban-rural differences were also found that should be considered in developing hydro-met services. Valuation elicitations indicated significant WTP for current and improved hydro-met information in Mozambique.