2nd I4C Climate Adaptalab: Where collaboration meets impact

On March 11-13, the I4C project hosted its second Climate Adaptalab in Barcelona, bringing together over 60 participants from cities, institutions, and various sectors across Europe. The event welcomed not only members of the I4C project but also a diverse range of experts, city officials and stakeholders, fostering collaboration on climate adaptation strategies. 

Read on for some key takeaways from the 3-day workshop, and what’s still to come! 

More than a workshop

Before we can discuss the second event, it’s worth looking back to the inaugural I4C Climate Adaptalab. Held in Paris in late 2023, participants were introduced to an innovative hackathon-style approach to tackling climate adaptation challenges. The event brought together diverse stakeholders for a series of immersive, informal sessions designed to foster collaboration and generate actionable solutions. 

Flash forward to March 2024 in Barcelona, Mathew Stiller-Reeve – Adaptalab organiser and I4C project partner – was on a mission to build on the breakthroughs from Paris.

Central to its success was the emphasis on collaboration, achieved through targeted working groups. Nine distinct groups were formed, each comprising a carefully curated mix of professionals from various disciplines, industries, and geographic regions. This diversity was intentional, encouraging a dynamic exchange of ideas, perspectives, and expertise.

Furthermore, the working sessions were strategically structured around four climate adaptation issues facing cities today, and which were guided by the outcomes from the first Adaptalab in 2023:

• Drought management
• Flood risk & coastal protection
• Disaster preparedness & emergency response
• Climate risk communication & public awareness

By uniting experts with different backgrounds, the event facilitated cross-disciplinary learning, innovative problem-solving, and a multi-faceted approach. The collaborative nature of the working groups ensured that solutions were not only creative but also rooted in real-world applicability. 

To inspire and motivate the group work, the event began with expert presentations that provided valuable insights on the different themes in the I4C demonstrator cities (Bergen, Paris, Prague, and Barcelona). These presentations included stories about actual climate experiences within the cities as well as ongoing research and work in the field of climate adaptation.

These presentations were delivered by: 

• Dragana Bojovic, Barcelona Supercomputing Center (I4C Work Package 6 – Co-production of I4C Demonstrator Cities)
• Štěpán Kyjovský, Department of Environment, Prague City Hall
• Nicolas Laruelle, L’Institutt Paris Region 
• Stephen Outten, The Nansen Center – NERSC (I4C Work Package 4 – Near-term hazard assessment)
• Nazia Zia, Jakob Gradnin & Ingrid Vatne,  Bergen Municipality
• Silje Lund Sørland, SWECO
• Marc Prohom, The Meteorological Services of Catalonia

I4C data at the forefront

I4C’s climate data and indices played a pivotal role in guiding the discussions within the working groups. The event utilised these resources to inform the collaborative problem-solving process, presenting participants with data-driven insights that helped shape their discussions. Particularly significant were the hazard indicator data, which spurred deeper dialogues by integrating a wealth of visualisations and plots. I4C’s goal was to present this data in a way that directly engaged stakeholders, encouraging both discussion and the application of insights in real-world contexts. 

The discussions that took place and the innovations developed by the groups have laid a strong foundation for using I4C’s climate data in future projects and initiatives.

Sparking new connections

What further distinguished this event was the emphasis on active participation. Attendees were not just passive observers but key contributors to its success. The setting itself reflected this ethos: Bloc4BCN, a cooperative workspace known for its sustainability efforts and community-driven initiatives. This venue provided the perfect backdrop for meaningful discussions on innovative solutions to today’s climate challenges.

Beyond the formal sessions, rapid-fire networking sessions (or “social circles” as participant Carl Hodgson smartly coined) allowed attendees to connect better with each other, sparking new partnerships and initiatives.

Interactive exhibits and live demonstrations showcased groundbreaking technologies, offering a glimpse into the future of climate resilience. Representatives from SWECO in Bergen introduced a groundbreaking way to visualise the city’s potential future: through a VR headset, participants were seamlessly immersed in a scenario where Bergen was submerged under water. This innovative approach allowed attendees to witness firsthand what the city could look like in the face of extreme flooding and explore the effectiveness of different flood prevention measures.

Click here to see more pictures!

Looking ahead: Impact on climate innovation 

The event concluded with a poster session where each group shared their ideas and innovations. As participants moved around the room, they exchanged insights and inspired each other across the working groups.

Click here if you want to see the poster presentations!

As the event concluded, the energy generated left attendees feeling empowered and motivated to drive change. The second Climate Adaptalab also marks a pivotal moment in advancing the broader objectives of the I4C project, which is committed to making climate knowledge available to cities facing pressing climate issues. Furthermore, by ensuring that the insights generated during the Adaptalab were based on comprehensive, actionable data, the event had a lasting impact, driving future climate adaptation initiatives and collaborations. 

Building on the success of this event, a summary report covering the event’s outcomes, insights, and key takeaways, will be soon published and will be shared with the broader community.

Get more information on the Adaptalab concept here.

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