Members

ETH Zürich is globally recognized as a leader in climate science, consistently positioned among the top institutions in the field. This reflects the university’s deep expertise and pioneering contributions to understanding and modeling the Earth’s climate system.

At the heart of ETH Zurich’s climate research is the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science (IAC), which investigates the complex interactions between the atmosphere, land, oceans and cryosphere, as well as atmospheric dynamics and chemistry. Researchers focus on key challenges such as the role of greenhouse gases, aerosols, and land use in driving global and regional climate change, as well as changes in climate extremes, and develop strategies to mitigate human impact and adapt to evolving climate conditions. There are also several climate researchers at other institutes within the Department of Environmental Systems Science and the Department for Earth and Planetary Sciences. Beside their research achievements, ETH researchers are training the next generation of climate scientists, and also strongly dedicated to outreach to the general public and policymakers. Several ETH researchers have contributed or are contributing to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), either as IPCC bureau members or IPCC authors.

ETH Zurich’s climate research is not only theoretical but also highly applied, with the Center for Climate Systems Modeling (C2SM), a leading interdisciplinary hub bringing together atmospheric scientists, data specialists, and Earth system modelers. High-resolution climate models are developed that are essential for predicting extreme weather events, assessing long-term climate trends, and informing national and international climate adaptation strategies. This interdisciplinary approach enables ETH to contribute meaningfully to global climate policy and resilience planning.

With its sustained excellence and top global rankings, ETH Zurich is a cornerstone of international climate research, shaping both scientific understanding and practical responses to one of humanity’s greatest challenges.

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) is a leading research-intensive university with multidisciplinary strengths across business, computing, data science, engineering, the humanities, the arts, social sciences, medicine and science. NTU is advancing climate action and environmental sustainability through interdisciplinary research, education, and translational innovation. NTU develops knowledge-based solutions in resilient urbanisation and natural ecosystems, as well as climate health research, addressing urgent environmental challenges in Southeast Asia and globally.

The Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Health (CCEH) anchors NTU’s work on climate-related health risks. As a university-level research centre, CCEH convenes expertise across disciplines to generate evidence-based insights and practical interventions that protect population health and strengthen climate resilience, with a focus on Southeast Asia.

NTU’s broader climate research ecosystem includes the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) and its flagship Climate Transformation Programme (CTP), which drives interdisciplinary research to support a stable climate and a resilient Southeast Asia. CTP connects NTU researchers with local universities and global partners, enabling collaboration across academia, government, industry, and communities to translate research into actionable outcomes.

In addition, the Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N) advances low-carbon energy technologies and decarbonisation pathways, while the Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute (NEWRI) develops full-scale solutions in water sustainability, resource recovery, and circular economy innovation. The Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE) conducts cutting-edge research on microbial systems to support sustainable environmental and public health applications.

NTU is also a founding partner of the Climate and Weather Research Alliance Singapore (CAWRAS), established with national agencies and local universities to advance tropical climate and weather research. Leveraging strengths in earth and environmental sciences in EOS and CTP, NTU integrates AI, remote sensing and environmental modelling to enhance tropical weather forecasting. Through interdisciplinary collaboration across medicine, public health, environmental engineering and urban resilience, NTU reinforces Singapore’s position as a regional hub for climate science.

Through strong partnerships with government, industry, academia and global collaborators, NTU translates climate research into transformative action, driving a resilient, sustainable and thriving future for people and the planet.

At the National University of Singapore (NUS), climate change research spans fundamental science, technology innovation, policy analysis, and deployment in tropical and urban contexts. Interdisciplinary centres such as the Centre for Naturebased Climate Solutions (CNCS), the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS), the Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI), and the Centre for Hydrogen Innovations (CHI) advance knowledge and translate solutions for mitigation and adaptation.

CNCS investigates the role of forests, mangroves, peatlands, and other ecosystems in carbon storage, biodiversity, and climate resilience, combining field ecology with remote sensing, geospatial analytics, and economic valuation to inform naturebased climate strategies and carbon markets. SERIS develops highefficiency photovoltaics, durability testing, and gridintegration methods suited to tropical conditions, supporting Singapore’s solar deployment and regional decarbonisation. TMSI studies coastal and marine systems, focusing on sealevel rise, ocean warming, coral reef health, and coastal protection to guide adaptation planning. CHI explores lowcarbon hydrogen production, storage, safety, and enduse applications as part of future energy pathways.

NUS is also a founding partner of Climate and Weather Research Alliance Singapore (CAWRAS), together with other Singapore government research institutes and university. CAWRAS is a national research platform to advance tropical climate and weather research for Singapore and Southeast Asia. NUS is leading on five initiatives : enhancing next-generation weather prediction; modelling Singapore’s complex urban environment and its effects on weather; understanding the effects of air-sea-land interactions on the weather of the Maritime Continent; AI foundational models for regional weather prediction in the Maritime Continent and leveraging advanced techniques to transform complex data into actional tropical weather forecasts.

NUS researchers work closely with government agencies, industry partners, and international networks to ensure findings inform policy and practice in Singapore and the broader Southeast Asian region. This includes policy-relevant analysis on carbon markets and pricing, regional energy transitions, and strategies for resilient infrastructure. The university emphasizes field-based evidence and advanced analytics—combining satellite and in-situ measurements, data science, and modelling—to improve the accuracy of emissions inventories, climate projections, and ecosystem services valuation. 

Peking University (PKU) has established itself as China’s leading university in climate change research, leveraging its interdisciplinary strengths to address full spectrum of climate challenges—from attribution and impacts to adaptation and mitigation strategies.

PKU researchers have led the way in evaluating comprehensive national contribution to radiative forcing since the pre-industrial period, accounting for greenhouse gases, short-lived climate forcer and land use and land cover change . It is also the national leading institute on understanding climate dynamics shaping patterns of global warming and coordinating institute providing regular synthesis on East Asia and China’s greenhouse gas budgets.

PKU is also at the forefront of assessing climate impacts on terrestrial ecosystems. Its work provides robust evidence of anthropogenic climate change through the study of greening patterns, vegetation phenology, productivity responses, and their cascading effects across biospheric, hydrospheric, and atmospheric processes, and further on the sustainability of social-ecological systems.

For adaptation and mitigation, PKU pioneers in exploring natural climate solutions including afforestation and ecological restoration, and has engineered cutting-edge zero-emission thermodynamic systems and negative-emission technologies. The university also develops cost-effective solutions for synergistic reduction of greenhouse and air pollution.

These strengths in science and engineering are complemented by robust contributions from PKU’s social and management science faculties. They have designed carbon neutrality pathways for China and shape national and international climate governance through leading think tanks and policy advisory roles.

Looking ahead, PKU is committed to deepening its climate change research beyond disciplinary and national boundaries. By positioning itself as a global leader in science for the sustainability of humanity’s shared future, the university aims not only to expand the frontiers of knowledge but also to foster an international collaborative network dedicated to equitable and practicable climate solutions.  

Stanford University has been at the forefront of climate and environmental research for more than five decades, addressing one of the greatest challenges of our time: how to meet human needs without undermining the natural systems that sustain us. Our faculty, students, postdoctoral scholars, and staff work across disciplines to generate knowledge about the causes and consequences of climate change and to translate that knowledge into solutions for people and the planet.

Stanford scholars have made fundamental contributions to understanding the global impacts of a changing climate, from the effects of ocean warming and acidification on coral reefs and ocean ecosystems, to the implications of rising temperatures on crop yields, biodiversity, and human health. Researchers assess the economic and social costs of inaction, study how energy systems drive climate change, and advance strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Their findings give climate research the specificity needed to identify risks, inform policy, and guide global adaptation and resilience efforts.

Stanford’s commitment to climate research builds on a legacy of pioneering scholarship that helped shape international agreements such as the 2015 Paris Accord. In 2022, the university launched the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, which brings together academic departments, interdisciplinary institutes such as the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and the Precourt Institute for Energy, and a Sustainability Accelerator to tackle climate challenges at scale.

From rising seas that threaten coastal communities, to the spread of climate-driven diseases, to the health impacts of wildfire smoke and extreme heat, Stanford researchers are advancing solutions to protect both ecosystems and human well-being. By connecting discovery to action, the university continues to drive transformative and transboundary approaches to the climate crisis. 

Tecnológico de Monterrey has placed climate action and sustainability at the heart of its vision, positioning itself as a leader in higher education in Latin America committed to addressing today’s most urgent challenges. As part of the global Race to Zero campaign, the university has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2039—an ambitious goal that reflects both its responsibility to future generations and its commitment to serving as a model for sustainable institutions.

Central to this effort is Ruta Azul, Tec de Monterrey’s comprehensive Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. With six action areas—culture, mitigation, adaptation, research, engagement, and education—the plan goes beyond emissions reductions to embed a culture of sustainability across university life. Specifically for research, Ruta Azul’s objective is to promote interdisciplinary and applied research that tackles sustainability challenges by turning our own campuses into living laboratories. Additionally, climate was recently announced as one of the institution’s key priorities for research, further strengthening our commitment to generating knowledge and solutions for sustainability and resilience.

These commitments are closely aligned with Tec de Monterrey’s 2030 plan, which states our purpose as transforming the lives of people and communities through education. As a platform that transforms realities, we see sustainability and climate action as inseparable from our mission to empower positive change. Beyond academics, Tec de Monterrey engages students, faculty, and partners to drive transformative initiatives with real-world impact—from renewable energy and sustainable cities to circular economy and resilience. Through this collective effort, the institution contributes meaningfully to Mexico’s and LATAM’s capacities to face climate challenges and to the global transition toward a net-zero, climate-resilient future.

As the window of opportunity for lasting climate solutions is narrowing, UC Berkeley is well-positioned to lead in solutions-oriented research, education, community engaged scholarship, and venture-backed entrepreneurship to address this global crisis, through three key areas for action:

Advance Toward Abundant and Clean Energy — Berkeley is home to cutting-edge discoveries and technology development that span energy conservation and storage, building efficiency, advanced energy sources, and new materials for economically-efficient carbon capture and sequestration.

Protect and Promote Ecosystems and Food Systems — Building on our strengths in biological, environmental, and social sciences, Berkeley is shaping the future of biodiversity management in a changing climate, advance forest management to enhance carbon storage while reducing wildfire threats, and promote healthy and abundant food systems in California and beyond.

Build Healthy and Resilient Communities — Our faculty are pursuing solutions for tomorrow’s infrastructure: pioneering embedded sensing at the city scale; accelerating new approaches to ground transit and flight; testing ways to integrate green infrastructure into urban settings; and empowering neighborhoods to efficiently generate, store, and employ their own locally-sourced renewable energy as well as adapt to a warming planet.

At home, UC Berkeley is undertaking an infrastructure initiative to modernize and improve the reliability of the campus’s aging energy systems. With construction starting in 2026, Berkeley’s Clean Energy Project will replace its aged fossil fuel powered system with cost-efficient, all-electric heating and cooling systems and reduce carbon emissions by 60% in the first phase and provide greater resilience to disruptions in the power grid. Future phases aim to bring the campus to net zero emissions. Compared to our existing system, the project will save the campus nearly $200m on a net present value basis over the life of the project.

The mission of UCSF is advancing health worldwide, and in furtherance of that mission UCSF has been at the vanguard of scholarship and practice on climate change and health.

UCSF-led efforts to decarbonize the healthcare sector have included leadership on the development and evaluation of clinical waste minimization, green procurement, and metrics development. UCSF experts have evaluated the climate footprint of various healthcare practices, and normalized practices such as elimination of desflurane and central nitrous oxide gas piping. UCSF’s healthcare decarbonization initiative has also involved education and outreach to cultivate climate-aware health providers, and conducted related education research to evaluate and identify best communication practices.

Scientists at UCSF have contributed to a better understanding of many under-appreciated public health implications of climate change, such as: how drought and other climate disasters impact infectious disease risks including HIV; how wildfires and drought can impact drinking water contamination; how marine environmental change impacts seafood safety especially for Indigenous communities; how climate-linked disasters like wildfires impact cancer treatment and survival; how heat waves impact street drug-related emergency department visits; how climate change impacts mental health; and how sea-level rise may impact cardiovascular health. UCSF researchers have long appreciated that the impacts of climate factors on population health outcomes are context-dependent, and an important part of the UCSF scientific contribution has been cultivating collaborations with community organizations who best understand their local contexts. This has included partnerships with organizations representing populations in the United States as well as international collaborations.

Among its other innovations, UCSF has forged the new field of Occupational, Environmental, and Climate Medicine (OECM) in recognition of the facts that worker populations have vulnerability to multiple aspects of climate change; that climate change also impacts toxic exposures for the general public; and that health promotion has strong potential for climate co-benefits.

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is a leader in climate change research in Africa and globally, driving interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research. Recognising that Africa is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change, UCT researchers are building the evidence and innovation needed to secure equitable, climate-resilient, and low-carbon futures.

While UCT’s climate research crosses disciplines and departments, two key research institutes at UCT are dedicated to climate change research and engagement, working to bridge science and society, engaging directly with stakeholders to deliver high-impact, relevant knowledge for a changing world.

The African Climate Development Initiative (ACDI) is UCT’s largest climate-focused research institute. Since its establishment in 2011, ACDI has become a world-leading hub shaping science, policy, and practice on climate-resilient and low-carbon development across Africa and globally. Its research focuses on climate risk diagnosis, governance, and climate-resilient development, alongside capacity-building, data synthesis, and convening diverse stakeholders to influence climate and development discourse. ACDI also hosts the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Centre of Excellence in Climate and Development.

The Climate Systems Analysis Group (CSAG) is an internationally recognised centre combining physical and social science expertise to address the climate knowledge needs of developing nations. CSAG develops tailored, actionable climate information to support adaptation, policy, and impact assessment. Its projects include creating an African community of collaboration for robust climate information and developing decision-support tools that help local governments integrate climate projections into planning. The group also co-leads a United Nations Environment Programme flagship publication on climate overshoot, which aims to catalyse global responses to a rapidly warming world.

UCT’s climate research ecosystem exemplifies Africa’s contribution to global climate science, advancing locally grounded, globally relevant solutions.

The University of Delhi has various projects that integrate climate change research. These projects are being operated in various labs, specifically at the Department of Environmental Studies and the Department of Botany. The focus can be loosely divided into three aspects:

Different initiatives at the University of Delhi take an interdisciplinary approach addressing biodiversity, food security, sustainable development, public health, and environmental policies. These efforts include both crop plants and high-altitude non-crop plants. Among crop plants, some initiatives are focused on developing climate-resilient crops in staple crops like wheat, while other efforts include the Improvement and popularization of climate-resilient traditional crops like safflower. There are also efforts to do ethnobotanical studies, leading to the identification of wild edibles and fermented food used by tribal populations.

There are various ecological studies, particularly in Himalayan regions like Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh. These studies focus on developing sustainable development models and food sovereignty. These studies include assessment of infrastructure projects, biodiversity assessment, ecological attributes like canopy properties, litter dynamics, Carbon dynamics, and many other ecological parameters. Among these efforts are diversity studies on plants like Shorea robusta and Abies spectabilis, which mark forest diversity. There are also efforts to understand adaptation in high-altitude plant genera like Primula and Rhododendron. Aquatic plant genera like Nymphaea have also been studied, which are crucial for the health of local water bodies. Genus like Hippophae are also being studied for their nutrition and medicinal value.

Environmental Impact assessments (EIAs) are being carried out for inclusive developmental planning. Various datasets generated are also used for Ecological Niche Modelling with an aim to predict conservation strategies. Public health risk related to climate change is also being studied, including studies focused on the physiological impact of heat stress on cardiovascular health.

Together, these initiatives reflect the University’s integrative approach—bridging plant sciences, molecular biology, ethnoscience, public health, and environmental policy—to advance climate resilience and sustainability in both rural and urban contexts. 

The University of São Paulo (USP) is the largest public university in Brazil and one of the leading research institutions in Latin America. Climate change research is a major interdisciplinary priority at the University, bringing together expertise from the natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and the humanities.

USP hosts internationally recognized initiatives dedicated to climate and sustainability research. Among them is the Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation (RCGI), a global reference in technologies for decarbonization, including carbon capture and storage, hydrogen production from ethanol and other low-carbon energy solutions. Another initiative is the Climate Crisis and Disasters Resilience Research Center (CLIMARES), an integrated approach to physical, biological, chemical, socioeconomic, and health aspects of climate change and impacts. The University also established USPproClima – the Center for Research and Innovation in Climate and Sustainability, which promotes interdisciplinary research, innovation and policy dialogue to address climate change and environmental emergencies.

USP researchers contribute extensively to the understanding of tropical climate systems and ecosystems, particularly through research on the Amazon rainforest, biodiversity conservation, atmospheric physics, land-use change, oceanography and sustainable agriculture. These efforts are conducted across multiple institutes and research centers and are strengthened through collaborations with international research networks and global scientific initiatives.

Beyond research, USP has gained international recognition for its commitment to sustainability. In the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking, the University of São Paulo was ranked the 5th most sustainable university in the world and the leading institution in Latin America. The ranking evaluates universities based on environmental management, energy and climate policies, waste and water management, transportation, education and research related to sustainability.

Through interdisciplinary research, international collaboration and the training of new generations of scientists, USP seeks to advance knowledge and contribute to global solutions for climate change mitigation, adaptation and sustainable development.

The University of Tokyo (UTokyo) has contributed to climate change research in physical, social and humanity sciences not only to better understand how the Earth system responds to greenhouse warming but also to find global solutions to climate change. UTokyo has strength in these areas, supported by the facts that Dr. Suki Manabe who received a Nobel Prize in Physics in 2021 is an alumni and that 12 UTokyo professors served as Lead Authors (LA) or Review Editors of the IPCC AR6. For the AR7, two professors have been selected to Coordinating Lead Authors (CLAs) and three to LAs as well.

To combine the research efforts at UTokyo, we established in 2022 a new research center called the UTokyo Center for Climate Solutions (UTCCS), to which 13 Departments and Institutes collaborate with 75 faculty members in total. UTCCS aims at providing scientific evidence on climate change relevant to adaptation and mitigation, promoting interdisciplinary research and education toward climate resilient society, gathering various research units in UTokyo for building a climate research hub in Asia, and addressing emerging issues associated with climate and society such as climate justice. Through UTCCS, UTokyo has initiated a global partnership with Columbia Climate School in the US, CNRS in France, Max-Planck Institute in Germany, among others. 

As the world’s most sustainable university, we see sustainability not just a goal, but as a guiding principle for everything we do. As climate change, social inequality and ecological destruction threaten our food chains, our democracies and our health, the brightest minds at the University of Toronto (U of T) are working to create a more sustainable future.

On our downtown campus, through infrastructure transformation and responsible growth, we will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 80% and be climate positive by 2050. These ambitious goals are possible in part through the recent completion of Canada’s largest urban geoexchange system. Built deep below the front campus greenspace, this technology leverages the natural thermal storage properties of the ground to lower our total carbon footprint.

Institutional research initiatives such as Climate Positive Energy unite world-leading scholars with industry, community and government to develop tools that can prevent the most catastrophic impacts of climate change. Whether it’s envisioning decarbonized energy systems, addressing the legal framework for transitioning to renewables, or driving affordable and accessible energy solutions for remote communities, U of T scholars are developing a holistic clean energy transition strategy.

Meanwhile, the newly launched U of T Lawson Climate Institute mobilizes interdisciplinary talent to accelerate climate solutions and educate the next generation of environmental leaders. The initiative transforms a new building of residences, classrooms, and common areas into something even more ambitious: an innovative model for how to integrate sustainability into every facet of living and learning.

U of T is shaping a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future for all. With our bold vision and collaborative spirit, we empower research leadership through sustainability pathways, experiential learning, research collaborations and opportunities that prepare our students and scholars to be agents of change in their communities and beyond.

Yonsei University, with a proud history spanning 140 years, has served as a center of advanced education in Republic of Korea. Rooted in Christianity, the university has played a pivotal role in the nation’s independence, industrialization, and democratization, while now striving to contribute to the global good in an era of climate crisis. Today, Yonsei is committed to addressing the global climate crisis by cultivating future leaders in climate justice through innovative research and dedicated education.

As a pioneer in environmental responsibility, Yonsei became the first university in Republic of Korea to obtain ISO 14001 certification, an internationally recognized standard for environmental management in 2001. Yonsei demonstrated a further commitment to the cause by leading the establishment of the Korean Association for Green Campus Initiative (KAGCI) in 2008. Building on these achievements, Yonsei was selected as a Green Campus university under the Ministry of Environment initiative in 2011, solidifying its role for sustainability.

Yonsei’s Climate Change Initiative operates strategically across multiple levels. At the regional level, Yonsei partners with local governments, NGOs to develop practical solutions to pressing climate challenges. Nationally, it collaborates with government ministries, industries, and corporations to facilitate the transition from carbon-centric systems while promoting advanced carbon-reduction technologies. Internationally, recognizing that climate change transcends borders, Yonsei engages in joint research with overseas universities and contributes to shaping global climate agendas.

Two key organizations support the implementation of this comprehensive vision: the Yonsei Climate Innovation & Research Center for Leadership & Education (Y CIRCLE) and the Climate Adaptation Living Lab. Y CIRCLE fosters international interdisciplinary collaboration across seven colleges, 12 departments, and 20 faculty members in Yonsei, while the Living Lab engages Yonsei students in policy- or field-oriented projects presented to the local community. Together, these efforts reflect Yonsei’s commitment to leading sustainable change for humanity.