About CLIMACT
CLIMACT is a joint EPFL and UNIL Center whose mission is to promote systemic actions as well as interdisciplinary and inter-institutional research in the climate field.
About CLIMACT
CLIMACT (Center for Climate Action and Impact) is a joint center of EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne) and UNIL (University of Lausanne), designed to promote interdisciplinary and inter-institutional research and implement initiatives that address the social, scientific, and technological challenges of climate change mitigation and adaptation. It responds to the need not only to consolidate research and innovation activities related to climate change, but also to give them visibility within the broader community.
History
CLIMACT officially launched its activities in June 2021. The centre's direction is shared between Dr. Nicolas Tetreault, executive director, and its two academic co-directors Professors Julia Steinberger from the Faculty of Geosciences and Environment (FGSE) at UNIL and Michael Lehning from the Faculty of Natural, Architectural and Built Environment (ENAC) at EPFL. Since its creation, CLIMACT has directly funded seven projects, participated in countless others and its scientists have launched two major SWEET projects.
Mission
Through its rich community, cutting-edge interdisciplinary research, and high-impact actions, CLIMACT is committed to an equitable, inclusive and sustainable Swiss society focused on collective well-being.
The CLIMACT aims to show a positive path forward towards a sustainable and inclusive Swiss society by:
- Strengthening and offering visibility to UNIL and EPFL researchers’ impact on mitigation and adaptation to climate change
- Providing policymakers, public and private stakeholders as well as industry leaders with actionable information and demonstration projects
- Promoting the integration of climate related teachings in non-specialised academic curricula and thus helping UNIL and EPFL to prepare the next generation of researchers and professionals to thrive in a sustainable and inclusive society
- Developing a network of early-career researchers, the CLIMACT Scholars, to support them in their interdisciplinary research opportunities with a mentoring programme
Focus areas
Science
Fund joint UNIL and EPFL seed projects and serve as a launching platform for research consortiums while prioritising a systemic approach to climate change.
Society
Share EPFL and UNIL's research, projects and actions concerning climate change with the general public.
Knowledge
Train tomorrow's professionals and researchers by integrating the economic, social and technical aspects of sustainability into their curriculum.
Impact
Foster the emergence of high impact and innovative climate-solution projects.
Community
Strengthen the links between public and private, social and academic stakeholders involved in climate action.
Partners
The CLIMACT team
Aïcha Besser
Communication specialist, CLIMACT
With a background in Political Sciences and a Bachelor in Marketing and Public Relations, Aïcha has been working in institutional communications, media relations and events for the last 15 years, among which 13 years for IMD Business School. Passionate about environmental questions, she joined CLIMACT as a communications specialist in August 2021.
Prof. Michael Lehning
Academic co-director CLIMACT, EPFL | WSL - ENAC
Michael (Michi) Lehning has been leading the CLIMACT development on the EPFL side and is a joint professor of cryospheric sciences and snow processes between EPFL and WSL (SLF Davos). He is an expert in snow-atmosphere interactions in extreme environments. More details can be found on the Laboratory of cryospheric sciences website or on Wikipedia.
Prof. Julia Steinberger
Academic co-director CLIMACT, UNIL - FGSE
Julia Steinberger is Professor of Societal Challenges of Climate Change at the University of Lausanne. Her research examines the connections between resource use (energy and materials, greenhouse gas emissions) and societal performance (economic activity and human wellbeing).
Dr Nicolas Tetreault
Executive director, CLIMACT
After 15 years of academic research at University of Toronto, Cambridge University and EPFL, Dr. Nicolas Tetreault joined Sofies SA in 2015 as senior consultant to help public and private entities reach their climate goals. Expert in climate strategy and planification, as well as in renewable energy, H2, green chemistry and CCUS in particular, Nicolas is the executive director of CLIMACT since June 2021.
