Demand side “pull” for eurogoos products: identifying market and policy decisions impacted by new environmental information

As the ocean observing system network becomes mature and information flow is enhanced, knowledge of the business and policy applications of the information will guide further design improvements. An analysis has been carried out from the “demand side” of the optimal temporal and spatial resolution and information format necessary for the ingestion of environmental data into business forecast models of EU industries. Data is presented from desktop studies made with partners from the European energy (utilities, oil and gas), leisure, construction, emergency management, and financial services sectors, in which the information “pathway” in decisions is examined. The paper analyses how the environmental information and forecast is transformed into a business and policy product, and how businesses have to re-engineer themselves to maximise the use of the information. The paper discusses how the information impacts the value chain decisions as well as the business plans. Selected bottom line indicators are used as performance metrics of successful incorporation of the information into decisions and policy guidance for regions and nations. Business case studies include the role of improved weather/climate forecasts examined in energy demand/supply forecast business cycle and in the formation of electricity pricing and trading strat- egies the role of seasonal forecasts in regional oil and gas energy management planning the use of ocean and climate forecasts in determining test conditions for performance evaluation of building codes and standards the role of bio-geo-chemical information in financial risk rating for investment business practice improvement and insurance premium setting the use of short term and seasonal temperature and precipitation parameters in the yield-management models for tourist demand forecasting the value of combined meteorological/air quality forecasts in formulation of health alerts/emergency management preparedness.