CCCA-News 5/2016: 18th Austrian Climate Day, Data Centre online...

The 18th Austrian Climate Day will take place from 22 to 24 May 2017 at the University of Vienna.

Attendees can look forward to an exciting programme once again, with plenty of opportunities for interdisciplinary exchange and networking amongst all individuals and institutions with an interest in climate change.

All further information will be continually updated on the CCCA website.

In light of the recently concluded COP22 in Marrakech, the outcomes of the conference have been analysed and the necessary conclusions drawn for Austria. Alongside the analysis of the negotiations, an offer was also extended to policymakers, the business community, and society at large, aimed at contributing to an integrated strategy against climate change: "As a network of the Austrian climate research community, CCCA stands ready – with the combined expertise of several hundred scientists – to work together with policymakers, the business community, and society to generate robust knowledge and identify further options for action.

At www.ccca.ac.at you'll find reports, materials, and scientific contacts for all questions relating to the manifestations of climate change in the past and future, its mitigation, and the necessary adaptation measures. Let's shape our future together, to jointly pave the way towards a sustainable future for our planet."

You can read and download the full text of the press release on the APA website!

Climate protection and climate change adaptation are examined from a legal perspective.

On 22 November 2016, the first meeting of the "Working Group KlimaSchutzRecht" took place in Graz, bringing together researchers from a wide range of disciplines — from environmental and climate protection law, liability law and international law, through to risk, climate and climate change impact research — to address the overarching research question: How can the legislature and judiciary in Austria and the EU better fulfil their essential contribution to climate protection and climate change adaptation in the future through appropriate legislation and case law?

The working group aims to achieve a higher quality of legal, climate-related research through stronger interdisciplinary collaboration and networking, whilst also raising the visibility of this topic through dialogue with stakeholders. In other words, the members of the working group are committed to developing and compiling scientifically sound information, with the goal of establishing a shared public position based on that evidence.

The AG KSR is organisationally embedded both within the CCCA framework and in the Commission for Climate and Air Quality (KKL) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), and is led by Prof. Eva Schulev-Steindl (Research Area Environmental and Energy Law, University of Graz) and Prof. Gottfried Kirchengast (ÖAW-KKL Vienna and Wegener Center University of Graz). The group is open to additional members interested in actively contributing.

The next meeting of the working group will take place on Wednesday, 14 December 2016, from 11:00 to 16:00 in Graz (Resowi-Zentrum).

Contact and further basic information: martha.stangl@ccca.ac.at

The Institute of Geography at the University of Innsbruck has been running the k.i.d.Z.21-Austria project for more than four years, together with experts from academia and practice. The central phase of the project is the so-called "Alpine Research Week", during which pupils can explore and investigate the indicators of climate change impacts in the high mountains for themselves.

In the spirit of inter- and transdisciplinarity, pupils approach the topic of climate change and its impacts from a wide variety of perspectives, engaging in dialogue with experts from relevant natural and social sciences.

Who can get in touch?

Scientists from any discipline who work on one of the topics mentioned above and who enjoy and are interested in exchanging ideas with young people. The call is also open to Master's students working on their dissertation in a related field. Of course, board and lodging will be covered by the participating school classes — so there are no costs for you!

If you're interested in getting involved in one of the projects, please get in touch at stefan.ropac@ccca.ac.at.

The Climate Change Adaptation Model Regions (KLAR!) programme was launched to give regions and municipalities the opportunity to prepare for the future, adapt to climate change, minimise potential disadvantages and make the most of emerging opportunities.

Who can apply?

Only municipalities or purely public sponsoring organisations without any private involvement are eligible to apply. This call is seeking climate change adaptation model regions that intend to complete all phases of the programme. Regions must have a population of at least 3,000 and no more than 60,000 inhabitants.

The full call can be found here.

Applications must be submitted by 31 March 2017 at 12:00 at the latest.