New Climate Resilience Project Connects German and Brazilian Research

9 January 2025, by Uwe Schneider

Photo: Schneider/Tello/Schröder

A new interdisciplinary research project aimed at enhancing climate resilience has received a positive evaluation and funding from the Helmholtz Institute for Climate Service Science (HICSS). The project, named ClimateBridge, will be led by Dr. María Máñez Costa (Gerics), Prof. Martina Neuburger (Institute of Geography, University of Hamburg), and Prof. Uwe Schneider (FNK, University of Hamburg). ClimateBridge will start in April 2025.

The project comprises two interconnected components: ClimateConnect, which focuses on Germany's Harburg region, and BeChange, centered on Novo Progresso, Brazil. The project will develop user-friendly digital tools that enable informed decision-making for climate-resilient development, particularly for agricultural stakeholders. Among the team, Dr. Carlos Tello and Vladimir Metelitsa will serve as postdoctoral researchers, with Vladimir set to defend his doctoral research in February 2025. In addition to the postdoctoral positions, the project will create opportunities for two new doctoral researchers and two student assistants.

Key aspects of ClimateBridge include the co-development of digital climate service tools, cross-regional knowledge exchange, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and the integration of diverse methodologies to form comprehensive climate resilience strategies. The project's innovative approach combines stakeholder engagement, backcasting, and inter-regional knowledge sharing to address local socio-environmental dynamics and climate adaptation strategies. This collaboration is expected to generate significant synergies, enhancing the effectiveness of climate resilience efforts in both regions and potentially providing a replicable model for other vulnerable areas worldwide.