Articles and blog posts on climate adaption

Climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and intense, even in cold countries like those in the Nordic region. This creates new challenges for our buildings, which are designed to retain heat rather than release it. RISE is addressing this pressing issue from several angles.

48 Swedish municipalities are aiming for climate neutrality by 2030. But how do we pay for the transition – and how do we avoid the costs of not doing so? Circular economy and new financing models can show the way towards both climate goals and economic resilience.

Climate change has long been characterised by reactive thinking and blame. But meeting the challenges of the future requires a new perspective that puts human needs and innovation at the center. – Businesses and cities should see climate change not as a blame game, but as an opportunity to innovate,...

Many Swedish buildings were built in a different era. Today, extreme weather conditions are becoming more frequent. This puts new stresses on buildings that can be difficult to withstand. But who is responsible for preventing damage and protecting buildings? The answer is not simple. – For example,...

The consequences of climate change, such as wildfires, torrential rain, and floods, can be very costly. The possibility is now being investigated of introducing so-called climate resilience certificates, a system that shows the climate risks linked to a property, and which can help property owners r...

Reducing carbon emissions is important to efforts to stop climate change, but at least as important is identifying and creating carbon sinks. RISE researcher Tora Råberg and her colleagues have helped the City of Malmö identify what they can do to reach net-zero emissions.

Extreme heatwaves may become more frequent in the future, even in Sweden. It will involve huge challenges to local authorities and the responsibility they have to protect those who are most vulnerable, such as children and the elderly. RISE is helping municipalities increase their preparedness and r...

How long can everyday life keep flowing — with morning coffee and water from the tap — before something changes? The Drop it project explores how we can save water without sacrificing too much of our daily comfort, by combining smart technology with changes in behaviour. In a changing climate, we ne...

Climate transition requires more than visions – it requires action. Across Sweden, several municipalities and cities are leading the way with concrete measures that reduce emissions, strengthen resilience and create sustainable communities. The transition needs to happen on a large scale and at a ra...

Water is essential for human life, social development and economic growth. Despite this, access to clean water is often taken for granted - especially in countries like Sweden, where water supplies have long been stable, secure and affordable. But in an era of climate change, geopolitical turmoil, g...

On April 29, RISE organized a full-day conference on the theme 'Water – from Vital Resource to Climate Challenge.' The conference brought together stakeholders from across society to jointly discuss how we can address both current and future water challenges.

Sweden's largest initiative for sustainable cities, Climate Neutral Cities 2030, is stepping up. 48 of Sweden's 290 municipalities are coming together to tackle the climate crisis. In just five years, the original nine cities in the initiative have now become 48. According to Lars Johansson, change ...

Unlimited access to water has long been taken for granted in Sweden. But is the water supply really infinite? Do we have a plan for future climate change? And how prepared are we for future crises, such as water shortages during extreme droughts or major floods? Water Wise Societies has been tasked ...

AI has great potential for sustainability, but its energy requirements cause emissions equivalent to Sweden's annual energy consumption. By developing energy-efficient AI, we can not only reduce the technology's footprint, but also create innovative solutions that support the climate transition.

Around the world, people are struggling to cope with the effects of climate change. Can AI help us tackle one of the great issues of our time? "High-tech AI is unlikely to be the whole solution. But it can improve low-tech solutions and make them more efficient," says Olof Mogren, research lead...

It may be time for Swedish industry to become more aware of its water consumption. The risk of water scarcity is only part of the problem. "The EU's Green Deal imposes stricter requirements, and old permits may be re-evaluated. Many would benefit from a better overview before we get there," say...