Adapting to climate change on a local scale with AdriaClimPlus

AdriaClimPlus aims to create tools to monitor climate change effects, prevent the risk of extreme events, and support adaptation actions and policies on both sides of the Adriatic.  The University of Bologna, through CIRSA – the Interdepartmental Centre for Environmental Sciences Research at the Ravenna Campus – is among the participants in this Interreg Italy-Croatia initiative.

The project will focus on seven pilot areas, two in Croatia and five in Italy, where it will test adaptation strategies to climate change tailored to specific local contexts. These tools are essential for tackling serious threats like rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events, all of which threaten the Adriatic’s rich but fragile cultural and natural heritage.

Researchers will work to improve the ability to monitor physical, chemical, biological, and ecosystem conditions, gaining a clearer understanding of the complex interplay of climate change effects along the Adriatic coast.  This will enable the development of localised models and forecasts, which local communities and decision-makers can use for prevention and adaptation.

In this context, the University of Bologna research team, through CIRSA, will bring its expertise in developing numerical models of Adriatic Sea circulation (both short- and long-term), analysing climate simulations, and validating and calibrating climate projections.

"The integrated, local-scale approach of AdriaClimPlus will advance scientific knowledge of coastal climate change and develop digital tools to propose and test adaptation strategies," says Nadia Pinardi, professor at the Department of Physics and Astronomy "Augusto Righi", who is leading the University of Bologna team. "We will develop methods for evaluating climate models, train university students in Adriatic climate monitoring, work on high-resolution satellite data analysis to create an innovative monitoring approach and help engage coastal communities while spreading the scientific knowledge needed to enhance adaptation plans across the Adriatic region."

The project also includes outreach events, summer schools, and training courses to engage local communities and stakeholders. This will not only raise awareness of climate change impacts but also promote resilient practices to safeguard local populations, economies, and ecosystems.