Logo: Climate Change Centre Austria (CCCA)

CCCA-News 01/2019

Dear CCCA subscriber,

we'd love to welcome you in the new year with the following topics and look forward to your feedback and any information you'd like to share — we're always happy to include it in future newsletters and spark some exchange.

  • Klimatag News: First details on Klimatag 2019
  • CCCA activities at COP24
  • Request from BMBWF on data collection for development and climate finance. Response deadline: 31 January 2019
  • Three researchers sought for a school project
  • Final Report of the High-Level Panel of the European Decarbonisation Pathways Initiative
  • Request from a Member of Parliament for an exchange on the topic of citizens' assemblies
  • Call for applications: StartClim2019 – New Impulses for Austrian Climate Change Adaptation
  • Summer School "The Journey": World's largest climate innovation summer school
  • Climate Change and Actionable Information — Theme of the upcoming ECRA General Assembly
  • BREXIT >> Information on a possible "No Deal"
  • Further calls for applications, events and job openings

CCCA hopes you enjoy the read.

CCCA Updates

Klimatag News: Programme Update

©Heide Spitzer, CCCA

It's here — the programme for the 20th Climate Day is ready! Under the motto "Facets of Climate Research", we're looking forward to welcoming you soon to a varied Climate Day with a new format.

Programme

The current programme covering the scientific programme, the various items of the supporting programme, as well as all further information about Climate Day 2019, can be found here.

Scientific Programme (pdf)

ACRP Poster Session (pdf)

An email will be sent to all submitters with further information about the acceptance of your project.

ATTENTION! NEWS — THE FORMAT OF CLIMATE DAY HAS CHANGED!

This year, the scientific programme will for the first time take place in a plenary session, where all contributions will be presented to all participants. This further strengthens interdisciplinary networking at Climate Day and gives participants the chance to gain insights into the facets of Austrian climate research — very much in keeping with this year's motto "Facets of Climate Research". The plenary session format promotes understanding of the various disciplines dealing with climate change and helps to highlight the connections between different fields. With the new format, CCCA aims to raise the quality of Climate Day, and would also welcome critical feedback afterwards. Regular evaluation of Climate Day is something we really care about!

CCCA Young Talent Prize

The CCCA Young Talent Prize will once again be awarded at Climate Day 2019. With this prize, CCCA aims to put the spotlight on the scientific achievements of young researchers and give them the recognition they deserve. Submissions take the form of a scientific publication, which will be evaluated by renowned scientists. Every submitter will receive written feedback on their submitted paper. The best paper will be awarded a prize of €1,000 at Climate Day.

Submission deadline: 3 March 2019

Requirements for participation as well as criteria for the Young Talent Prize can be found on the website here.

Requirements as well as criteria in English for the Young Talent Prize are available on the Website here.

Please send your paper as a PDF document to klimatag@ccca.ac.at with the subject line "Submission Young Talent Prize". Please include proof of eligibility with regard to the age criteria. Submitters will be notified of the outcome of the selection process in early April 2019. The award ceremony will be held as part of Climate Day on 26 April 2019.

CCCA Poster Prize

Information about the Poster Prize will be available on the website shortly.

Cooperation with UniNEtZ

As part of the 20th Climate Day, there will be a collaboration with the project "Universities and Sustainable Development Goals". During the opening, the focus will be placed on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 — "Climate Action", with the interconnections with other SDGs also being highlighted.

GREEN MEETING

The aim is for the 20th Austrian Climate Day to be certified as a Green Meeting. Climate Day will therefore be organised to the highest environmental standards, following the criteria of the Austrian Ecolabel UZ62 for "Green Meetings and Green Events"

Information for Participants

  • Where possible, choose an environmentally friendly way of getting here, such as public transport, or arrange a carpool.
  • If you can't or don't want to avoid travelling by car, or if you're flying in, you can offset the resulting CO2 emissions through carbon offsetting payments.
  • Where possible, choose an environmentally certified hotel (Austrian Ecolabel, European Ecolabel, EMAS, etc.).
  • Make use of the eco-friendly options offered by your hotel (e.g. only changing towels and bed linen when necessary).
  • Turn off all lights and electronic devices (TV, air conditioning, heating, computer, etc.) when you temporarily leave your hotel room.
  • Reusable = environmentally friendly: opt for drinks served in open containers, food on plates, and milk and sugar without individual portion packaging, etc.
  • Dispose of your waste (PET, glass, paper, metal, batteries, etc.) using the separate collection facilities available at the hotel and the event venue.
  • Use public transport, cycle, or walk.
  • Where possible, use online registration and digital materials instead of printed handouts.
  • Bring your own stationery.
  • Please return your badges/name tags to the information desk at the end of the event.
  • Please also refer to our further guidance at <link klimatag green-meeting>www.ccca.ac.at/klimatag/green-meeting/

For questions and suggestions about our Green Meeting initiative, please contact the Green Meeting Officer at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna.

Registration for Climate Day 2019 — Registration for Climate Day 2019 will be opening soon! You'll again have the option to register your attendance conveniently online. As soon as registration is open, you'll be notified via a mailing. If you have any difficulties with the registration portal or any suggestions, we're happy to help at klimatag@ccca.ac.at!

Got questions about Climate Day 2019? On the Climate Day website you'll find a collection of frequently asked questions (FAQs). You're also welcome to get in touch with any questions at the following email address: klimatag@ccca.ac.at


CCCA Activities at COP24

©Miriam Schönbrunn

Under the auspices of CCCA, numerous Austrian researchers presented their latest project findings at the Austrian and EU Pavilion of the 24th UN Climate Conference (COP24), held from 3–14 December 2018 in Katowice, Poland.

In addition to researcher presentations on topics such as economics, technology, agriculture, consumption, communication and health, as well as the IPCC Special Report 1.5 and APCC Special Report Health, the focus was above all on exchanging ideas with conference participants. Funded by the BMNT, CCCA thus gave the following organisations/researchers the opportunity to present on this international stage and to be present as part of the Austrian delegation at COP24:

  • HAAS Willi, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
  • HOFMANN René, TU Wien
  • MECHLER Reinhard, IIASA
  • MEYER Ina, WIFO
  • PASSER Alexander, Technische Universität Graz
  • PRETTENTHALER Franz, Joanneum Research
  • RIEG Lorenzo, Montanuniversität Leoben
  • SCHAUBERGER Günther, Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien
  • SCHLATZER Martin, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
  • UHL-HÄDICKE Isabella, Universität Salzburg

Alongside the Austrian researchers, practitioners and international scientists also presented their projects:

  • HUVIO Tiina, FFD/AgriCord/FFF
  • GLÖCKLE Dorothee, KLAR! Modellregion Vorderwald-Egg
  • KOWALSKI Katharina, klimaaktiv
  • MILOS Jelena, Europäische Kommission
  • SIMADER Alexander, KEM Modellregion Unteres Traisental & Fladnitztal
  • WÖRTHER Gernot, Klima- und Energiefonds

On the CCCA website you'll find the researchers' presentations, a photo gallery and further details about our activities at COP24. CCCA also published a guest commentary in the Wiener Zeitung following the conference, covering the political outcomes. You can find it here.

News

Request from the BMBWF for data collection on development and climate finance. Deadline for responses: 31 January 2019

The Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) has once again approached CCCA, requesting that it inform its members about the annual data collection on Austrian development aid contributions and climate finance, and to pass on the relevant documents. As in previous years, ADA is asking organisations to report on development cooperation, humanitarian assistance and climate finance activities carried out in 2018. Based on this information, both the report on development aid contributions to OECD/DAC and the international climate finance report of the BMNT will be compiled again this year.

ADA requests that only the attached 2018 data collection form (Download: here) be used for data submission. This ensures efficient processing. The worksheet labelled "Please read!" within the form contains important notes and guidance for data entry. Further detailed information can be found in the attached file "Completion guide and annexes.xls".

To make full use of all functions in the data collection form, ADA has summarised the following steps in writing:

  • When prompted by the security warning, please enable all content and declare the data collection form a trusted document.
  • In order to save the file, please fill in rows 3 to 6 in the "Data Collection Form 2018" worksheet. Then save the file locally as an xlsm file without changing the filename.

As in previous years, there are again a number of new features this year, through which ADA hopes to achieve an even more efficient representation of the data. These include, amongst others, the indication of the SDG(s) to which the measures are intended to contribute (up to 3 entries possible), as well as the Policy Marker "Disaster Risk Reduction". The design and integrated guidance have also been updated.

If there are no relevant activities to report, ADA nonetheless requests that an empty form with completed contact details and the note "nil return" be submitted.

In the interest of a coordinated response to ADA, please send the completed data collection forms by 31 January 2019 to Mag. Hanspeter Mikesa (Hanspeter.Mikesa@bmbwf.gv.at), so that there is still time to clarify any outstanding questions before the collected documents are forwarded by the deadline.

Final Report of the High-Level Panel of the European Decarbonisation Pathways Initiative

We'd like to draw the attention of CCCA members to this report (PDF), which was commissioned by the European Commission. The report was produced by a consortium of high-level international scientists and addresses the question of which research and development strategies need to be implemented in order to promote and accelerate climate protection measures in line with the Paris Agreement, whilst simultaneously enhancing the EU's competitiveness. The report also serves as a basis for the development of Horizon Europe, the upcoming research framework programme.  

Final Report of the High-Level Panel of the European Decarbonisation Pathways Initiative

Three researchers sought for a school project

We're still looking for experts to take part in a research week at the Großglockner, working alongside pupils from a Year 12 class at a Graz grammar school on their research projects. The pupils are spending the entire school year exploring the topic of climate change. The highlight of the year is the "research week" at the Großglockner from 12–15 June. Work is carried out in groups of 6–7 pupils per session. There are 5 sessions in total, i.e. 5 half-days — 33 pupils from three Year 12 classes will be attending altogether. Meals, accommodation and travel costs (from Graz) can be covered!

Topics we're looking for:

  • Limnology: comparison of glacial stream/spring stream
  • Tourism expert for the Hohe Tauern: the study area is the Franz-Josefshöhe, old photo-reality comparison; tourism and climate change, tourism figures
  • We're also looking for a speaker for the parents' and pupils' evening (date in May, but negotiable) at the grammar school — topics: "Forest and climate change", "City and climate change" or "Changes to sensitive habitats due to climate change".

If you're interested, please get in touch with stefan.ropac@ccca.ac.at (0664/88546060)

Request from a Member of the National Council for an exchange on the topic of citizens' assemblies

The adviser to Member of the National Council Martha Bissmann would like to meet with a number of scientists to discuss the opportunities and risks of running citizens' assemblies. The meeting is planned to take place in Graz in February.

If you're interested in getting involved in this process, please contact Stefan Ropac (stefan.ropac@ccca.ac.at) at the service centre. Further preparation and scheduling will then be coordinated on your behalf by the service centre.

Climate Change and Actionable Information — Theme of the upcoming ECRA General

Click here to open this page!

We would like to invite you to our upcoming ECRA_GA19 event, the third ECRA General Assembly. The event is open to all and will provide a platform for exciting discussions on our present and future climate.

The tentative agenda can be found at the event website. On the afternoon and evening of the first day, scientists, decision-makers and experts from a variety of fields will come together for presentations and panel discussions.

The second day will focus on science and ECRA's Collaborative Programmes: Sea-Level Change and Coastal Impacts, Arctic ECRA, Hydrological Cycles, and High-Impact Events and Climate Change.

For more information and registration, please visit www.eventbrite.com

Call for proposals: StartClim2019 – New Impetus for Austrian Climate Change Adaptation

©BOKU

As part of the StartClim research programme, projects are being awarded in 2019 for the 17th time.

Innovative projects are being funded that address current questions relating to the national climate change adaptation strategy.

The call for proposals theme is: StartClim2019 – New Impetus for Austrian Climate Change Adaptation

The submission deadline for project proposals runs from 31 January to 15 March 2019.

The research questions of StartClim2019 are organised into six thematic blocks:

  • Options for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals
  • Land use/land management
  • Climate change and communication
  • Climate change and tourism
  • Art and climate change
  • Education and educational research on climate change

Further details about this year's call for proposals and how to submit your project proposal can be found at http://www.startclim.at/startclim2019/.

Summer School "The Journey": World's largest climate innovation summer school

The Journey offers a unique combination of academic study & real-world experience. You join more than 400 participants in a 4-week, full-time, intensive, residential learning programme hosted by top global universities.

The Journey offers a unique combination of academic study & real-world experience. You join more than 400 participants in a 4-week residential learning programme hosted by top global universities. The Journey has a global outreach with participants from more than 50 different nationalities.

Our world renowned experts in climate change, innovation, and business will support you through the Journey. Join our community and gain access to internships, start ups, innovation, research and entrepreneurship careers today.

Here you can find more information: https://journey.climate-kic.org/

BREXIT >> Information on a possible "No Deal"

As the National Contact Point for the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, "Horizon 2020", FFG Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft would like to inform you about the current situation regarding BREXIT:

Following the vote on the withdrawal agreement in the British Parliament on 15 January 2019, there is a possibility that the United Kingdom will leave the European Union on 29 March 2019 (24:00 CET) without a withdrawal agreement and therefore without a transition period (the so-called "No Deal"). This would also have implications for calls and ongoing projects in Horizon 2020.

Please note: the UK remains an EU member state until at least 29 March 2019, 24:00 CET.

At https://www.ffg.at/europa/brexit we provide you with all currently available detailed information as well as contact persons for enquiries.

The two most important pieces of information regarding ongoing projects and planned project activities with the United Kingdom:

  • For ongoing Horizon 2020 projects, it is essential that the minimum participation conditions in accordance with the Horizon 2020 participation rules continue to be met (i.e. in principle, for collaborative projects, at least three independent organisations from three different EU member states or states associated to Horizon 2020; for Single Beneficiary projects, the host organisation must be located in an EU member state or a state associated to Horizon 2020).
  • For projects currently in the planning stage, please note that organisations from the United Kingdom will be treated as organisations from a non-associated third country from 30 March 2019 onwards. This means in principle that UK organisations will continue to be eligible to participate in almost all programme lines (unless restricted by the relevant work programme), however they will no longer automatically receive Horizon 2020 funding.

Further information can also be found on the following websites:

    Further current calls

    • Best-Practice Call: Innovative Financing

    This current call is looking for showcase projects related to developing and emerging countries that successfully make use of innovative forms of financing. If you know of or are yourself implementing climate-relevant projects that are based at least in part on crowdfunding, philanthropic money, or financing through the World Bank, EIB, or other development organisations and funds (blended finance), and that should be presented to an international audience, you can still submit them until 10 February.

    More information and how to participate: www.austrianworldsummit.com/survey

    The current submission deadline runs until 10.02.2019. The most interesting projects will once again be featured in a best-practice brochure for international stakeholders and presented at the major climate protection conference R20 AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT on 28 May 2019 at the Vienna Hofburg.

    • GREEN TECH JAM - Interdisciplinary student hackathon: "Code & Concept for Green Tech"

    WANTED: Designers, developers, engineers, app developers, environmental system scientists and all other students interested in green tech

    • Want to get together with a bunch of creative and talented people and create digital solutions for international technology leaders in the field of green tech?
    • Want to try out some new and whacky stuff and have a lot of fun? Come and join us at the GREEN TECH JAM hosted by TU Graz (Interactive Systems and Data Science, Johanna Pirker) and Green Tech Cluster Styria.

    The results will be presented in 10 minutes pitches in front of a professional jury. Prize money of € 5.000 will be divided between the best 3 solutions! Plus additional non-cash-prizes and a Tesla ride is waiting! Do I need to be a programmer to participate in the Green Tech Jam 2019?

    Although having computer skills is helpful, in-depth experience is not necessary: Designers, developers, engineers, environmental system scientists and all other students interested in green tech are welcome. It is about interdisciplinarity!

    8th and 9th of March 2019 @ TU Graz, Campus Inffeldgasse, 8020 Graz
    FAQ & free registration: www.greentech.at/jam2019/

    The number of participants will be limited to 50 jammers!

    Job listings

    • Call for a Master's Thesis: Compensating environmental impacts of organisations and products - Mapping the state of research and developing new methods (SIS, Universität Graz - until 31.1.)
    • Call for a master's thesis: A structural decomposition to examine resource Efficiency Variation (SIS, Universität Graz - until 2.3.)

    More information on these and other current job listings can be found on our job board!

    We'd also ask you to send us any current job listings so that we can publish them on our job board.

    Upcoming events

    In the CCCA calendar you'll find loads more info on climate (research)-relevant events.

    If you'd like to publicise events this way, please send the details to info@ccca.ac.at.