Project description
Motivation
Addressing climate change through GHG mitigation and adaptation is an urgent priority for policymakers. In Italy, regions are aligning with European targets like the "Fit for 55" plan, aiming for a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to 1990. Italy must cut emissions by 43.7% in key sectors (e.g., transport, agriculture) by 2030 compared to 2005. South Tyrol aims for climate neutrality by 2040. Achieving these goals requires reliable data. However, limited accessibility complicates effective climate strategies, increasing uncertainty in models and hindering policy assessment. Organized data repositories are essential for supporting mitigation and adaptation activities, enabling decision-makers to respond effectively to climate challenges.
Objectives
This project aims to develop a shared data-collection and exploration platform to support climate change mitigation and adaptation in South Tyrol. The platform will serve as a federated digital repository as well as storage system for data providers without their own infrastructure, gathering diverse datasets relevant to local authorities, researchers, and stakeholders, following the FAIR and TRUST data principles. It will prioritize filling gaps, particularly datasets currently unavailable for scientific research.
Research Methods
The project will employ basic research, technology development, and qualitative evaluations. It will address issues related to data quality and integration within federated databases and explore techniques to improve accuracy. Results will be published in leading scientific venues. The project will create a platform accessible to research and public institutions, guided by stakeholder feedback to ensure user needs are met. Early findings will be shared to foster engagement among stakeholders.
Innovation
This project introduces a platform that addresses climate mitigation and adaptation needs by making relevant datasets available according to research standards. Innovative technologies, such as federated systems and interoperable interfaces, will facilitate data reuse, reduce redundancy, and improve efficiency. This approach promotes collaboration between research institutions and public authorities, enhancing decision-making. The platform is expected to help public administration, such as South Tyrolean municipalities, in facing the challenge of climate change in a more efficient, informed and robust manner within both the planning and the following systematic monitoring of climate protection activities.
Project Members
This project is a collaboration between the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Eurac Research, Eco Research, and Ökoinstitut Südtirol – Alto Adige [more].