I4C MAKES ITS LAST FORECAST OF 2024
This year was marked by extreme weather events, which are likely to continue in the coming years. Projects like I4C are working with climate scientists, local practitioners and other stakeholders to address these challenges by promoting the accessibility, useability and relevance of climate information at city and regional levels.
As we bid farewell to 2024, let’s revisit the key highlights that shaped the year and set the stage for an even more impactful 2025!
MAKING THE MOST OF I4C METHODS & TOOLS
At the core of the I4C project is cutting-edge research collaboration in the fields of climate and social science. In practice, this collaboration requires different tools, each with a required expertise and technical specifications.
This year we took some time to meet with the people working on the climate modelling predictions and data analysis underpinning the I4C project. For instance, our team in Barcelona is using a cutting-edge methodology to predict the climate in the future. These predictions could be for the next season or as far ahead as the next decade. The team has been able to share climate modelling and data analysis with city decision-makers who need to implement climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies to manage increasing droughts and rising temperatures.
Watch our video on near-term climate predictions for decision-making to find out more:
This year, in the quest for more accurate global predictions, I4C researchers were also preoccupied with the question: How can we ensure that we get accurate global predictions? Supermodels blend multiple models, thereby harnessing the collective wisdom of diverse approaches to paint a comprehensive picture of our planet’s future. By minimising errors, the supermodel delivers forecasts that are more reliable and precise.
Watch the full video to learn more supermodelling and how it will be used in I4C to provide accurate climate predictions for cities:
During the summer months, some of these approaches were on display when Paris, which happens to be one of I4C’s Demonstrator Cities, hosted the Summer Olympic Games, held from 26 July to 11 August. More specifically, I4C heatwave data in the Paris Metropolitan Area was relevant, given general concerns about summer heatwaves on the wellbeing of the athletes and city-dwellers.
Check out our findings and some heatmaps in our article ‘Beating the heat: I4C sheds light on the Paris 2024 Olympics’.
Young researchers in the spotlight
This year we continued to amplify different voices from the I4C community. In an ongoing series spotlighting young researchers, we interviewed Francine Schevenhoven (University of Bergen), who is pushing the boundaries of climate science through ‘supermodelling’. Read the full interview here.
In another feature, Nelson Noumbissi (French National Center for Meteorological Research) focuses on improving climate predictions and advancing meteorological understanding to empower global decision-makers. Discover more about Nelson’s impactful research.
ADAPTALABS: I4C PUSHES FORWARD ITS OWN HACKATHON CONCEPT
I4C’s Climate Adaptalabs are more than a collaborative workshop—they are dynamic spaces for co-creation, where stakeholders collaborate to design science-based climate solutions. From policymakers to researchers and industry experts, these hackathon-style events bring diverse perspectives together to drive impactful outcomes.
In 2024, following the first Adaptalab in Paris in 2023, we have been focused on preparing the second Adaptalab in Barcelona from 11-13 March 2025.
What’s in store in Barcelona? The very climate scientists working with I4C to cull and analyse data will be on site to present and engage with participants:
• Flood risk and coastal protection
• Climate risk communication and training
• Drought management
• Disaster preparedness and emergency response
There will also be many opportunities to network and engage in group work. The final point is to put ideas to paper: creating posters presenting different climate service solutions and how they can be applied.
Learn more about Adaptalabs, why they are a cornerstone of the project…and how you can get involved!
I4C GOES ON THE EVENT CIRCUIT
Throughout the year, the I4C community demonstrated its commitment to driving impactful change by participating in and contributing to a range of high-profile events, workshops, and collaborations. From presenting insights at international conferences to hosting focused discussions on climate resilience, I4C was a visible and influential presence across key moments in the climate action calendar.
In Bergen from 27-30 May, a joint workshop on Climate Prediction and Services over the Atlantic-Arctic region was co-organised by I4C and the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research. Also in Bergen, the annual I4C General Assembly was an opportunity for project partners to come together, present the state of play across Work Packages, and plan for the next year.
At the European Meteorological Society (EMS) Annual Conference 2024, I4C presented its innovative approaches to addressing climate challenges. The event served as a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, where I4Cers engaged with experts to advance solutions for a sustainable future. The regional engagement was equally strong, exemplified by the expert workshop on heat and health in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area. Here, I4C brought together specialists to address the critical intersection of urban heat risks and public health, fostering actionable strategies for cities grappling with climate-induced stressors.
WHAT DO WE WISH FOR IN 2025?
2025 is poised to be the year results really start to pour in. We look forward to sharing the first outputs from our Machine Learning (ML)- based emulators, advancing in global prediction systems, and putting our blending methodologies to the test.
We will also keep the momentum in different engagement opportunities:
Join us in Barcelona on 11-13 March for the next I4C Climate Adaptalab! Are you passionate about climate adaptation and eager to find innovative solutions for urban resilience? Looking for reasons to attend? Explore the draft agenda here (and make sure to register before 24 February 2025)!
I4C will also co-organise a follow-up prediction workshop to be held in Bologna, Italy, in November with our sister project ASPECT and several other Horizon Europe initiatives.
The European Climate Change Adaptation Conference (ECCA 2025) and the International Conference on Urban Climate will both be primed for contributions from I4C partners. Most likely they will also be pit stops on the I4C Roadshow which is anticipated to roll out later in 2025. The roadshow will bring visibility to I4C project work and results as well as allow us to collect feedback from local stakeholders, build links with other local initiatives and projects, and gather data that would help shape the project’s activities and research.
Thank you for being part of the I4C journey, and stay tuned for more updates by subscribing to our newsletter.