NCCR CLIM+

Home institutions: ETH Zurich, University of Bern

In recent years, extreme weather events and natural disasters have increased worldwide, revealing the severe risks associated with climate change. Switzerland has been particularly affected, with temperatures rising twice as fast the global average.

Global climate disasters also affect Switzerland indirectly, for example by disrupting supply chains. Continued warming is likely to bring even more extreme events, with the potential for long-term societal crises. The societal, political and technological transformations required to address these challenges are considerable.

The National Centre of Competence in Research "CLIM+ Climate Extremes and Society: Strengthening Resilience" brings together 47 research groups hosted by 13 Swiss research institutions. Their combined range of expertise spans atmospheric physics, climate science and modelling, environmental sciences, economic research, political science and governance, ethics, law and climate awareness (psychology). This creates a nationwide, interdisciplinary climate research community that works with stakeholders in health, agriculture, water management, finance and public policy.

NCCR CLIM+ aims to develop scientifically grounded future scenarios that integrate both physical and societal dimensions of extreme climate impacts. Using state-of-the-art climate models, artificial intelligence and advanced statistical methods, the NCCR will open new research fields and tackle emerging questions on social change in the context of climate protection and societal resilience.

In its first phase, the NCCR will establish the new Center for Climate Extremes and Resilience in Swiss Society (CERESS). It will consolidate nationwide research on climate extremes and societal resilience, design user-oriented test environments (Living Labs) and develop concrete recommendations for action. In doing so, NCCR CLIM+ will play a key role in the elaboration of Switzerland’s long-term climate and energy strategies.