CMIP6-based global estimates of future aridity index and potential evapotranspiration for 2021-2060

The "Future_Global_AI_PET Database" provides high-resolution (30 arc-seconds) average annual and monthly global estimates of potential evapotranspiration (PET) and aridity index (AI) for 22 CMIP6 Earth System Models for two future (2021-2041; 2041-2060) and two historical (1960-1990; 1970-2000) time periods, for each of four shared socio-economic pathways (SSP). Three multimodel ensemble averages are also provided (All; Majority Consensus, High Risk) with different level of risks linked to climate model uncertainty. An overview of the methodological approach, geospatial implementation and a technical evaluation of the results is provided. Historical results were compared for technical validation with weather station data ( <i>PET: r</i> ² = 0 <i>.72; AI: r</i> ² = <i>0.91</i>) and the CRU_TS v 4.04 dataset ( <i>PET: r</i> ² = 0 <i>.67;</i> AI: <i>r</i> ² = 0 <i>.80</i>). Within the context of projected significant change in the near- and medium-term, the "Future_Global_AI_PET Database" provides a set of data projections and tools available for a variety of scientific and practical applications, illustrating trends and magnitude of predicted climatic and eco-hydrological impacts on terrestrial ecosystems. The Future_Global_AI_PET Database is archived in the ScienceDB repository and available online at: https://doi.org/10.57760/sciencedb.nbsdc.00086.