Mission: to advance transdisciplinary research to understand the science basis, particularly the physical drivers, of climate change and address its impacts at economic, environmental and social levels, including biodiversity changes. Develop effective conservation and/or adaptation strategies, promoting sustainable and innovative mitigation measures for the well-being of ecosystems and humans, under the One-Health approach.

Aims:

1. Investigate the causes behind climate change, addressing the importance, evolution and changes of the main climate drivers;

2. Study the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of marine, terrestrial, and freshwater ecosystems to climate change impacts, with a focus on preserving biodiversity and ecological functioning;

3. Explore the interconnections between environmental change, infectious diseases, and public health, fostering a One Health approach to disease prevention and management;

4. Identify climate-smart practices in agriculture, forest and ocean related activities, and other sectors to develop adaptation and mitigation strategies for vulnerable populations and biodiversity conservation and resilience;

5. Enhance understanding of natural ecosystems’ role in climate regulation and their capacity to deliver critical ecosystem services for human welfare and biodiversity support;

6. Promote evidence-based decision-making for climate adaptation, mitigation and One Health approaches through transdisciplinary knowledge exchange among researchers, policy-makers, and local communities.

CESAM’s research within the Climate Change, Adaptation and Mitigation thematic line (TL1) will investigate the consequences of climate change, seek fundamental understanding of climate processes, evaluate the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of ecosystems, and explore the links between environmental change, disease, and public health. TL1 seeks to develop innovative, climate-smart practices across sectors, actively promote sustainable practices, understand natural ecosystems’ role in climate regulation, and promote evidence-based decision-making for climate adaptation, mitigation, and One Health approaches. TL1 research aligns with key EU policies such as the European Green Deal, and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and contributes to international efforts like the IPCC assessments and the UN Decades on Ocean Science and Ecosystem Restoration.

TL1 research will addresses the need for scientific understanding of climate change drivers, impacts, and solutions, by conducting research in coastal lagoons, deep-sea exploration and ocean-atmospheric-climate modeling (RG1, RG3, RG4), enhancing our understanding of climate processes and future projections. Through transdisciplinary collaboration, TL1 will investigate the vulnerability of ecosystems to climate change (RG1, RG3, RG4), assess the potential risks to human health and the well-being of ecosystems (One Health Approach) (RG4, RG5), and will develop strategies to protect the resilience of marine life and coastal communities, through resilient social-ecological systems that can adapt or transform while maintaining their essential functions to provide ecosystem services for both nature and people. This knowledge is crucial for identifying effective adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Informed by RG3 strong expertise in ocean and atmospheric modeling, TL1 will focus on developing data-driven solutions to enhance the climate resilience of coastal regions and deep-sea ecosystems, incl. deep-sea and coastal carbon sequestration studies and restoration initiatives. Research within TL1 will address air and water quality concerns, explore the interactions between climate change and pollutants, and develop strategies to mitigate pollution due to climate change. CESAM’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking and stakeholder engagement ensures that research drives impactful policies and practices for a sustainable future. TL1’s research aims to deliver actionable insights for adaptation strategies, pollution mitigation related to climate change, and the promotion of sustainable practices across diverse environments.

RGs major contributors:

RG1 – Deep-Sea, Ocean, and Transitional Ecosystems

RG3 – Ocean and Atmospheric Modelling 

RGs minor contributors:

RG4 – Ecosystem Management and Conservation

RG5 – Environmental Monitoring, Health, and Risk Assessment