The Norwegian Research Centre on Sustainable Climate Change Adaptation (Noradapt) is a new national center for sustainable climate change adaptation. It is run by the Western Norway Research Institute, together with seven partner institutions.

Fleire jordskred vart utløyste etter at finvêrsperioden vart avløyst av styrtregn i Jølster i juli 2019. Bustadfeltet Årsetbakkane var blant områda som vart råka av jordskred og flaum. (Foto: Linda Olin Reite)

Climate change will affect all parts of Norwegian society in the coming years. A broad coordinated response is needed to find solutions to negatively affected sectors.

In Noradapt, researchers from eight research institutions work together to build and collect new knowledge on how different actors in society can adapt to climate change in a sustainable manner.

What is sustainable adaptation?

Climate change adaptation must not conflict with the other sustainability goals, and this has two key implications:

  1. Environmentally friendly climate change adaptation: Adaptation measures must not increase greenhouse gas emissions or lead to a loss of biological diversity; ideally, measures should also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase biological diversity.

  2. Risk-friendly emission reduction: Measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or store carbon must not increase physical climate risk; ideally, such measures should also contribute to reducing such risks.

You can read more about the development of the term "sustainable climate change adaptation" in a special issue of the scientific journal "Weather, Climate, and Society".

Living lab

Noradapt is run by the Western Norway research Institute in Sogndal, in the middle of the county of Vestland.

Nature, landscape and weather conditions in the region is a good foundation to study the changes that Norway will meet in the years ahead. The region works as a living laboratory researching climate change.

What does noradapt do?

  • Guidance: Science based advice for business and public institutions guiding others.

  • Assessments: Develop client adapted knowledge in coordination with private and public institutions.

  • Research and development: Cooperation with business about new products and services within climate adaptation, f. ex. risk mitigation technology.

  • Dissemination: Co-host of the annual, national #Klimaomstilling conference.

  • Education: Teaches climate change adaptation at college and university level.