A significant number of guidance documents, scientific literature and other reports are available in the public domain on climate variability and change to assist GEF IW projects to understand the key issues and to guide the implementation of these projects. However, the range of available material can in itself be a problem and this GEF IW:LEARN 'guide to the guidance' is intended to assist projects to focus on the most appropriate documents and case studies.

Projects should also recognise the significant national/regional resources that are likely to be available to assist in making IW projects robust with regards to climate variability. This will include expertise and data involved in preparing national reports and communications to the UNFCCC.

In addition to the many sources of references available there are many explanations of the terms used within climate variability and change studies, for example the World Bank has provided a summary of possible definitions.