I4C unites in Prague for the 2025 General Assembly

From 3-6 June 2025, I4C’s General Assembly was held in Prague, Czechia, uniting climate scientists, researchers and institutional partners from across Europe and internationally. The event marked a key moment to take stock of progress, strengthen cooperation, and shape the next phase of turning climate science into societal action.

With consortium members working across multiple countries and disciplines, meeting in person remains essential. This gathering helped bridge gaps, spark new ideas, and reinforce the collaborative spirit that drives the project forward.

SPOTLIGHT ON PROGRESS: KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ASSEMBLY

As the I4C project enters its third year, the meeting in Prague provided a comprehensive update on progress, workflows and strategic milestones.

General takeaways

• The project has made strong progress, marked by the successful submission of a broad range of deliverables across project management, communications, data development and stakeholder engagement.

• Following the successful second I4C Adaptalab held in Barcelona, plans are now underway for the final edition, set to take place in Bergen in 2026.

• I4C is actively contributing to the upcoming IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities, encouraging submissions focused on urban climate dynamics and impact assessments. This involvement positions the project to influence global conversations on urban adaptation.

• The launch of the I4C #MakeItReal Roadshow at the 7th European Climate Change Adaptation Conference (ECCA 2025) marked a key step in expanding the project’s outreach and engagement with climate adaptation communities across Europe.

Other agenda points

1. CHARTING THE PATH FORWARD: THE I4C ROADMAP FOR URBAN CLIMATE ADAPTATION

The meeting also provided a window for project partners to have a say in the I4C Roadmap: the project’s legacy for a bold and reflective vision for adapting to urban climate futures. To help visualise this process, the team used the metaphor of a road trip, highlighting the smooth stretches of collaboration, the inevitable bumps and setbacks, and the ‘green bridges’ that connect I4C’s work with wider communities and decision-makers.

With early achievements like Adaptalabs and stakeholder mapping completed, the next phase focuses on testing new services and refining strategies. This roadmap isn’t just a plan, it’s a shared, evolving guide that brings everyone together toward the same goal: cities that are ready for the climate challenges ahead.

2. TAIWAN’S INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO CLIMATE FORECASTING

During the Assembly, Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) shared its cutting-edge work on climate forecasting, designed specifically for the island’s complex landscape and weather patterns. Taiwan faces a wide range of climate challenges, from typhoons and monsoons to shifting rainfall patterns caused by global systems like El Niño. To better prepare for these extremes, CWA has created a powerful forecasting system that blends global climate models with local data. Using advanced techniques like AI-based downscaling (such as CorrDiff), they’re able to produce highly accurate, local-level forecasts. These forecasts are already helping key sectors (like agriculture, water management, fisheries, and renewable energy) make better decisions and reduce climate risks. By working closely with agencies like the Water Resources Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture, CWA delivers timely alerts, personalised advice, and real-time support. Their work is a strong example of how science can directly support communities and build a more climate-resilient future.

3. ADVANCING FLOOD FORECASTING WITH HIGH-RESOLUTION CLIMATE MODELS

Lu Li (NORCE) presented groundbreaking research on the use of Convection-Permitting Regional Climate Models (CPRCMs) for flood simulations in Norwegian basins. The study compared outputs from CPRCM (HCLIM3) and a traditional RCM (HCLIM12) across two contrasting sites: Røykenes and Bulken. Using high-resolution observational data and hydrological modeling, the results showed that CPRCMs more accurately captured extreme precipitation events and significantly reduced cold biases, especially in snowmelt-driven areas like Bulken.

Notably, raw CPRCM data often outperformed bias-corrected versions in simulating hydrological extremes, though temperature correction remained essential for accurate flood modeling in mountainous terrain. These findings highlight the increasing value of CPRCMs in improving flood risk assessments in a changing climate.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It was a pleasure to come together in person in the beautiful city of Prague, where lively discussions and meaningful exchanges highlighted just how far the I4C project has come.

We’re eager to see what’s next for I4C and the impact it will continue to have. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for the latest project updates from the I4C community!