Smart Climate Adaptation & Resilience
NEUROCLIMA
We bridge the gap between scientific data and human behavior. By combining AI-powered insights with social tipping points, NeuroClima helps the EU meet its climate goals by ensuring the transition is driven by the very people it serves. NeuroClima is an initiative funded by the Horizon Europe program (HORIZON-CL5-2023-D1-01-09) that commenced on January 1, 2024, and will run until December 31, 2026.
Our Mission
Science has the data, but policy needs the pulse of the people. NeuroClima is a Horizon Europe initiative dedicated to making climate adaptation not just a goal, but a shared reality. Working with a wide range of stakeholders, we aim to raise awareness, provide best practices, and ensure sustainable use of climate change adaptation and resilience solutions. We identify the psychological and social ‘leverage points’ where small changes create massive shifts in resilience. Our mission is to transform complex climate facts into actionable strategies that citizens trust and governments can implement.
Context
The world isn’t just facing a climate crisis; it’s facing a trust crisis. As Europe pushes for climate neutrality, we’re forced to confront a difficult question: Can we actually hit these climate goals while upholding democratic values?”. In response, the EU has initiated new strategies for climate change adaptation. Climate neutrality and resilience are gaining traction as the impacts of climate change become increasingly severe. However, scepticism regarding climate change policies among various groups presents a challenge to climate change mitigation and adaptation practices implementation. This scepticism arises from concerns about policy, budget restrictions, lack of clarity, and citizen engagement. Therefore, governing bodies and policy-makers must prioritise developing clear and inclusive climate policies at all levels, and NeuroClima assists in providing climate-change-adaptation recommendations, engaging both citizens and policymakers.
Response
Building climate resilience across the EU is no longer a solo effort; it’s a collective shift. To drive the EU Adaptation Strategy forward, we have to move beyond top-down mandates and start finding the “social tipping points”—those strategic nudges that trigger a massive wave of public support. Until now, identifying these leverage points has mostly been a slow, academic exercise. We’re taking a different path. We are essentially building a digital nervous system for the climate transition—a real-time connection that links policymakers, public institutions, and citizens. By weaving trustworthy AI into this network, we’re turning abstract research into practical tools that amplify human capabilities rather than replacing them. We aren’t just handing officials another research report; we’re giving them the insights needed to raise awareness and spark genuine resilience in their communities. It’s about moving past theory and getting down to the business of making change happen in a language that makes sense on the street, in the town hall, and in every government office.
Approach
Do individuals acknowledge the impact of climate change on their personal and professional lives? To give clarity and advocate for new policies, reliable and verifiable data is indispensable, both within and beyond the EU. Policymakers must use data to clarify and support measures, considering citizens’ sentiments and behaviours. Monitoring citizens’ needs and the motivations behind policies can facilitate communication between policymakers and citizens, thereby fostering governance enhancements, climate resilience, and a transition towards green initiatives within a shared sustainability mindset and accountability across the EU.
Consortium
The consortium consists of 15 partners, including universities, research institutes, and companies, pooling their efforts towards innovation in climate change adaptation and striving for excellence.
