Recently, Portugal has been facing a series of unusually severe storms that caused widespread disruption and profound social impacts. These events are a reminder that climate change is not a distant future threat, but a present-day reality with real consequences. Among those affected by these storms was CATAA, a partner within the NEUROCLIMA consortium, whose facilities in Castelo Branco suffered severe structural damage.
Extreme weather events are already affecting the physical infrastructure that supports research, innovation, education and community services. When institutions are damaged, their capacity to serve communities, support local economies and contribute to long-term resilience is also put at risk.
For NEUROCLIMA, these events are not external to the project’s work. They directly affect the consortium itself and reinforce the urgency of strengthening climate resilience through coordinated, evidence-informed action.
Climate damage goes beyond the environment
Extreme weather events are often discussed in terms of environmental degradation or economic loss. Less attention is paid to how such events disrupt the everyday functioning of institutions and organisations that play a key role in supporting communities. Damage to buildings and equipment can halt activities, delay projects and strain already limited resources.
CATAA’s experience illustrates this reality clearly. The loss of part of its infrastructure following these January storms is not only a material setback, but also a reminder of how exposed even well-established institutions are to climate extremes. This exposure is particularly acute in regions already geographically vulnerable.
Events like these highlight the need for climate policies that go beyond emergency response and focus on long-term preparedness and resilience. Climate resilience is not only about protecting natural ecosystems, but also about safeguarding the systems that enable societies to function and recover after disruption.
This requires coordination across levels of governance and different sectors. It also requires an understanding of how civil society and decision-makers perceive risk, respond to warnings and adapt their behaviour before, during, and after climate emergencies. Without this understanding, even well-intentioned policies can fall short of their goals.
The relevance of NEUROCLIMA in moments of crisis
NEUROCLIMA’s work is grounded in the recognition that effective climate adaptation depends on more than technical solutions alone. The project focuses on how climate risks are understood, communicated and acted upon by citizens, institutions and policymakers alike.
When a climate emergency directly affects a partner within the consortium, it reinforces the relevance of this approach. The experience of CATAA demonstrates how climate impacts translate into real operational challenges and how institutional resilience is an essential component of broader climate resilience.
By bringing together diverse partners and perspectives, NEUROCLIMA is positioned to address these challenges in a holistic way. The project’s tools and frameworks aim to support better communication, stronger engagement and more informed decision-making around climate risks, all of which are critical in moments of crisis.
One of NEUROCLIMA’s strengths lies in the diversity of its consortium. Partners operate in different regional, social and climatic contexts, and some are already experiencing the consequences of extreme weather first-hand. These lived experiences are not peripheral to the project; they are central to shaping its relevance and direction.
The damage suffered by CATAA underscores why it is essential to integrate local realities into climate action. Institutions on the ground offer insights into what resilience looks like in practice, where vulnerabilities lie, and what kinds of support are most urgently needed. These insights help ensure that climate strategies are not only theoretically sound, but also practically applicable.
From impact to action
These recent events in Portugal serve as a reminder that climate change is already testing the resilience of communities and institutions. They also underline the importance of continued investment in climate adaptation, preparedness and policy coherence at European, national and local levels.
For NEUROCLIMA, moments like these reaffirm the project’s purpose. Strengthening resilience means anticipating disruption, supporting informed decision-making and ensuring that institutions and communities are better equipped to face climate-related challenges. As extreme weather events become more frequent and intense, this work becomes not only relevant, but essential.
