CLIMATE CHANGE, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND TAXONOMY

The Department of Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Taxonomy carries out research and development activities in the fields of sustainable development including taxonomy of sustainable activities and climate change, stemming from the provisions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). With regard to the 2030 Agenda actions, the activities of the department fall mainly under the SDG 13 "Climate Action" and SDG 6 "Ensure availability and sustainable management of water resources and sanitation for all". Other areas of expertise consist in identifying the impacts of climate change in relation to the state of natural and agricultural ecosystems, assessing the impact on water resources in watersheds as well as carrying out analyses concerning the determination of bioclimatic aspects in urbanized environments. Nature-based measures are also studied, assessing their impacts in terms of multiple environmental, social and economic benefits, specifically for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Area Of Competence

Development of specialized climate studies and research;
Development of studies to promote the concept of sustainable development; taxonomy of sustainable activities based on the 5 principles;
Ecosystem-based solutions for mitigation and adaptation to climate change impacts;
Climate data analysis and correlation with other indicators of ecosystem condition and for ecosystem services provided, in particular carbon storage but also other social, economic and environmental benefits.
Statistical analysis of climate datasets stored in different formats, including QC/QA techniques;
Determining the impacts of environmental and climate change on water resources;
Sustainable use of water resources;
Mapping and assessment of ecosystem services using the MAES framework and implementation of qualitative models to determine their status;
Development of in-situ and ex-situ drought monitoring techniques to combat the effects of drought in agriculture.

Activities

Assessment of climate variability;
Linking large-scale and regional-scale climate variability using specialized statistical methods;
Building regional climate scenarios using statistical downscaling methods;
Developing solutions based on ecosystem approach for mitigation and adaptation to climate change impacts;
Quantifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the land use sector;
Developing climate change adaptation and mitigation plans for cities
Applying EU taxonomy principles for sustainable activities
Monitoring physico-chemical and biological parameters in relation to GHG fluxes from aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
Statistical and biogeochemical modeling estimation of GHG fluxes from aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, correlation of dependent parameters and water, nutrient and biomass resources under different management conditions;
Laboratory testing of solutions to improve carbon sequestration in ecosystems using specific equipment to determine GHG fluxes and dependent parameters.

Meet the Team

Dr. Eng. Lucian LASLO

Scientific Researcher III

Head of Department