Stefan Sobolowski from the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research and Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen, will be one of 87 lead authors on the special report on climate change and cities. The report will summarize global knowledge about the significance of cities for the climate and provide practical advice to all who can influence emission development and adaptation in cities and towns.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to represent my community in this report. Grateful for the support of the Bjerknes Center and the Geophysical Institute. And of course, grateful for the backing of the Norwegian Environment Agency. Also, a bit apprehensive as the role as lead author is a big responsibility and I want to do my best. I fully expect the experience to be as challenging as it is rewarding, Sobolowski says.
Enormous recognition
The research leader at the Bjerknes Centre will work on the chapter dealing with cities in a changing climate: trends, challenges, and opportunities. The Norwegian Environment Agency is very pleased that Sobolowski made the list.
"Being selected as a lead author is a very narrow gate. This is an enormous recognition of Stefan's expertise. But also, for the Bjerknes Centre and the climate research community in Bergen and Norway, this selection is well worth celebrating," says Ole-Kristian Kvissel, Norway's focal point for the UN Climate Panel.
"As a central element of the Bjerknes Centre, the research environment is acknowledged through its contributions to the IPCC and as contributor of knowledge on the climate system and climate change to local and central political processes. We are immensely proud that Stefan has been selected to author this special report," says Kikki Kleiven, director of the Bjerknes Centre. "Stefans's research and commitment are a perfect match for exactly this task."
Valuable insights
His research focuses on improving our knowledge of present and future climate, climate change and climate variability at local to regional scales. He is actively engaged with a variety of user communities to better determine their climate information needs and to clearly communicate the relevant features of the climate system and place the narratives of climate variability and change in local to regional contexts. Stefan is also PI for Impetus4Change (I4C), an EU Horizon research project where climate, city and social experts work together to improve the quality and accessibility of climate information in cities and regions.
Important tool
A special report is intended to be more focused than the main report and is an opportunity to highlight a specific area. It will be a comprehensive report covering all relevant topics related to cities and climate.
“It is only recently that we have extended the capabilities of our models to examine the urban scale impacts of climate change. So, this report should provide insights on how the urban environments exacerbate or potentially mitigate, the worst effects of climate change. The report will also serve as an important tool for how cities in highly developed countries transform their built environments to be less unsustainable. In developing countries there is a real opportunity to seize the initiative and develop urban areas in ways that are much more efficient and equitable than the trajectories than the major urban areas of the 20th century took”, says Sobolowski.
The report, which is to be completed in 2027, will address how cities can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and how they must prepare to handle climate change.