Gabriel Bachner analyses the socio-economic consequences of climate change. The environmental economist shows how these consequences are distributed across different groups and sectors of the economy and who is particularly vulnerable. The focus is on the climate risks of flooding and heat. The aim is to implement fair and cost-effective adaptation measures and to strengthen resilience where it is most needed. Learn more

Julia Danzer conducts research on climate change in the atmosphere in order to strengthen the scientific basis for climate protection measures. In addition, she is working on the development of the new concept of “institutional carbon management”, which is being implemented for the first time as a pioneering project at the University of Graz. The aim is to reduce the university's greenhouse gas emissions by around two-thirds by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2040. Learn more

Jordan Everall researches what can trigger social upheaval. According to the Pareto principle, in many systems 80 per cent of the effects can be attributed to 20 per cent of the causes. Accordingly, a small minority could trigger change across society as a whole. The systems scientist is investigating how groups with particular influence could accelerate the transformation to a climate-neutral society. Learn more

Dagmar Henner investigates the links between the increase in forest fires and climate change in the Alpine region. When a dry spring is followed by a hot summer, the risk increases. If protective forests on steep slopes are destroyed, the danger of landslides, rockfalls and snow avalanches rises. Research findings show which adaptation measures are necessary. Learn more

Stefanie Hölbling's doctoral thesis deals with the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions. Her expertise is incorporated into CarbonTracer, among other things. This greenhouse gas calculator, developed at the University of Graz, is a free, web-based tool that companies, organisations and individuals can use to calculate their mobility emissions depending on their choice of transport. Learn more

Andrea Jany researches climate-friendly design in the residential and building sector. This involves implementing new technologies, analysing community-oriented forms of living and initiating participatory planning processes. The architect and housing researcher heads national research projects and international implementations in Spain, Latvia and Ireland, as well as in the Graz “Terrassenhaussiedlung”. Learn more

Gottfried Kirchengast is doing pioneering work in the field of atmospheric remote sensing and climate system research. The founder of the Wegener Center and his team are an internationally leading research group. Their focus ranges from monitoring global warming using satellites to investigating local weather and climate extremes based on data from the WegenerNet, to climate protection solutions in line with the Paris climate goals. Learn more

Nina Knittel deals with the costs of climate change, which pose major financial challenges for public institutions. This makes it all the more important to identify effective and efficient adaptation measures that limit damage and relieve the burden on public budgets. Knittel develops and evaluates climate adaptation strategies. The results are intended to serve as a sound basis for decision-making. Learn more

In her doctoral thesis, Isabella Kohlhauser uses high-resolution simulations to investigate climatic changes in the Alpine region. The focus is on evaluating and comparing regional climate models with regard to temperature. Among other things, the results provide relevant information for the development of new climate scenarios for Austria. Learn more

Andreas Kvas is conducting research based on data from WegenerNet on changes in the occurrence of small-scale extreme precipitation events. They are becoming more intense as a result of global warming. This repeatedly leads to flooding, landslides and enormous damage. Reliable risk assessment is important in order to be able to take the necessary protective measures. Learn more

Douglas Maraun conducts research on regional climate developments and methods for assessing them, with a focus on extreme events, their natural variations and changes caused by human-induced climate change. In particular, he deals with heavy precipitation, droughts and storms. He was one of the lead authors of the latest IPCC Assessment Report and heads the working group on robust climate information of the World Climate Research Programme. Learn more

Albert Ossó conducts research into air movements and circulation patterns in the atmosphere, including their effects on meteorological patterns in Europe. New findings – for example, on the Summer North Atlantic Oscillation (SNAO), a north-south shift of the jet stream – are helping to improve the accuracy of climate models and thus the forecasting of extreme events. Learn more

Ilona M. Otto is researching measures that can be taken to rapidly advance the necessary sustainable transformation of society and the economy. A radical reorientation is needed to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The sociologist and resource economist sees more efficient climate policy control instruments that target the wealthiest people as a key lever for achieving this goal. Learn more

Eva Preinfalk investigates the effects of climate change on public and private households. Her research on forest fires, heat waves and floods shows that climate risks are unevenly distributed and exacerbate existing social and financial inequalities. By combining economic modelling with qualitative analysis of realities of life, the economist develops decision-making bases for socially just, effective and financially viable adaptation strategies. Learn more

Sebastian Scher focuses on the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve climate and weather data. Specific examples include the development of a high-resolution model of the Alpine climate and the optimisation of glacier models in Greenland. Learn more

Lorenzo Silvestri is interested in the systemic changes that are necessary for cities to adapt to climate change. The researcher accompanies transnational multi-stakeholder networks of players who contribute knowledge and experience on economic, social, political and environmental aspects. This exchange can accelerate ecological change in cities.

Andrea Steiner studies climate change in the atmosphere. Using data from satellite remote sensing, such as extremely accurate radio occultation measurements, the climate physicist analyses temperature, pressure, humidity, density and energy flow. Her findings distinguish natural fluctuations from man-made climate trends and reveal connections with global climate processes and regional extreme events. Learn more

Karl Steininger investigates which climate, energy and innovation policy measures can contribute to effectively reducing CO₂ emissions in an open economy while also being socially acceptable. In his analyses, the economist and climate economist and his team calculate the influence of various factors on the development of Austrian greenhouse gas emissions each year. Learn more

Matthias Stocker's doctoral thesis deals with the effects of large forest fires and volcanic eruptions on the atmosphere. For example, during the Hunga eruption in January 2022, an unprecedented amount of water vapour entered the stratosphere, which subsequently cooled down to an extraordinary degree. The research results enable better predictions of global changes in atmospheric and climatic processes. Learn more

In her doctoral thesis, Katharina Wieser examines the health effects of heat on pregnant women, babies and young children, who are often overlooked as particularly vulnerable groups. The environmental systems scientist develops measures to raise awareness and shows how public heat protection strategies can optimally take these groups into account. Learn more