What we do
Scientific-based support is crucial for decision-making related to climate change preparedness, as it provides policymakers, stakeholders, and communities with accurate data, robust models, and evidence-based insights necessary for implementing effective adaptation and mitigation strategies to address the complex challenges posed by climate change.
Worldwide, enormous amounts of climate data are collected. We use high-quality climate data and approved methods to translate your user needs into customized climate information. With this climate information we assist you in decision-making, planning and adaptation strategies.
Whether you are active in agriculture, industry or cities, we empower you against climate change impacts, by providing you customized climate data and indicators, presented in maps or infographics, and offered both, as data or as tools.
Results
Impact tool of the online climate portal, offering support to explore climate impacts, screenshot revealing the number of vulnerable people exposed to heat stress in Flanders (Belgium).
Charisma Information Platform, containing a wealth of GIS data on land use, climate change, and health impact, in support of climate-health risk management in Indian cities.
Sectoral Information System to support Global Biodiversity. Map of the climate suitability within the golden-headed lion tamarin’s habitat for the present and the future under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 (Brazil).
Cartography of cool islands in Brussels (Belgium), highlighting the heat islands to be prioritised for cooling measures in support of local urban planning.
Heat vulnerability tool, combining vulnerabilities with heat stress at the level of statistical sectors in Flanders (Belgium), to support local adaptation policies against heat stress.
Climate Information Tool for Agriculture, providing accessible climate information to support planning and management of agriculture-related activities in Africa.
Showcase projects
Klimaatportaal
Online climate portal offering support to explore climate impacts, to plan mitigation measures, and to climate-proof projects.
Flanders, Belgium
Charisma
Online climate-health information service to support the risk management of urban heat conditions.
India
StratAdapt
Explore the effectiveness of promising climate adaptation measures for resilient crop production in Mali.
Mali
Copernicus Biodiversity
Operational sectoral climate information system to support Global Biodiversity in the framework of the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).
Global
Supporting health and biodiversity
Publication in the spotlight
Abstract
Cities in the Sahel are heavily impacted by heat stress. Climate change, growing population rates and urbanization will increase the magnitude and intensity of urban heat stress towards the future. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the current status of heat stress in Niamey (Niger) and future impacts by combining the results of two models operating at city-level: UrbClim which simulates (future) climate and GeoDynamiX, providing future city spatial extents combined with the results of a measurement campaign. Additionally, a meter-scale assessment of heat stress within the city is executed for a selection of city districts. Urban green and trees are effective mitigation tools for heat stress, which is observed in both measurements and model results, being most effective during the hottest hours of the day when they lower heat stress to less health-impacting levels. Future simulations show a strong increase in the spatial extent and intensity of extreme temperatures within the city. This impacts city dwellers, which will consequently experience much more days with extreme heat stress levels towards the future, doubling or tripling depending on the climate scenario. Socio-economic impacts for mid-century are quantified, noting increases in heat-related mortality of several percentages compared to present-day values. Additionally, negative economic impacts of several percentages of the Gross Domestic Product are projected as heat stress will prohibit performing moderate or high-intensity activities during the hottest hours of the day, even in the shade.
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