About CARE-C

CARE-C is a regional European Center of Excellence for Climate and Atmosphere Research, based in Cyprus, for the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) region. CARE-C is focused on addressing urgent climate change and air pollution challenges and impacts in the EMME, which has been recognized as a global climate change “hotspot”.

The EMME is already facing adverse effects such as heat waves, droughts and atmospheric dust storms which are only due to intensify in the coming decades. Without proper mitigation and adaptation actions, these harmful effects could soon lead to intolerable environmental conditions, ultimately forcing mass migration for the 400 million people living in the area, with widespread health and socio-economic implications for the region and the planet.

The EMME is also a region with a complex geopolitical landscape, that historically has had limited dedicated scientific resources for climate research.  CARE-C has set to address these challenges through a combination of research, innovation and education actions with a regional focus.

CARE-C was founded at the Cyprus Institute in January 2020 through competitive funding secured from the European Commission and the Cyprus Government, in the framework of the European Commission Horizon-2020-TEAMING project “EMME-CARE” (Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East Climate and Atmosphere Research Centre; Grant no. 856612).

The Center was established in cooperation with EU Advanced Partners: the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz in Germany, the Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) in France, and the University of Helsinki (UHEL) in Finland.

More information at emme-care.cyi.ac.cy

 

 

At a Glance

 

 

Research

Research Areas

CARE-C uses environmental observations for a better prediction of the impacts of climate change. This research is used to support the monitoring of, and provide feedback on, national mitigation and adaption policies for climate change, as well as support the development of innovative solutions towards sustainability and green economy transition.

The Center’s research activities are focused in areas of Environmental Observations and Environmental Predictions in the EMME region. This includes experimental and modelling activities on key climate drivers such as reactive trace gases, aerosols, clouds, greenhouse gases, and addressing impacts on regional air pollution and climate.

Activities are organized within four dedicated Research Departments:

• Environmental Observations conducting continuous long-term measurements of atmospheric composition, related environmental parameters and trends, and analysis of atmospheric loads and interactions of gaseous and aerosol pollutants in urban and remote regions of the EMME to further our understanding of the changing regional environment
• Environmental Predictions, dedicated to the study of the role of anthropogenic emissions in biogeochemical cycles, air quality and climate change with a focus on the EMME region
• Impact and Policy, dedicated to pursuing multi- and cross-disciplinary research on societal challenges needing regional and local solutions
• Innovation, identifying attractive commercial research applications that contribute to sustainable economic growth for Cyprus and the region and ensure the Center’s financial longevity 

 

Research Infrastructures

CARE-C activities benefit from the operation of state-of-the-art Research Infrastructure facilities, including: 

• Cyprus Atmospheric Observatory: with stations at three sites across Cyprus, CAO provides high quality, long-term observations of key atmospheric pollutants relevant to air quality and climate change.
• Mobile Laboratory Unit (MoLa): Complementary to CAO, the Mobile Laboratory Unit allows CARE-C to perform intensive field studies of several weeks or months per year in Cyprus, the EMME region and beyond.
• Environmental Chemistry Lab: for the analysis of aerosol and trace gases.
• Instrumentation Lab & Nano-Lab: dedicated to the development of miniaturized, lightweight and cost-effective instruments for measuring aerosol particles and gaseous pollutants.
• Unmanned Systems Research Laboratory: with a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and bespoke Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for atmospheric and earth surface observations that is unique to Cyprus and the region.
• High Performance Computing Facility: used to provide open access to CARE-C observational data and related process chains and flows.

 

 

Innovation

CARE-C develops front-line technology, and identifies promising commercial research applications that contribute to the sustainable economic growth of Cyprus, and a green economy transition. The Center works with regional organizations in the private and public sectors, and Departments of the Cyprus Government.

Market-ready competitive products and services currently available through CARE-C include:

• Climate and Forecasting Services
• Atmospheric measurements
• air sampling and chemical analysis
• Miniaturized sensors
• Bespoke Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) development
• Sensor integration in UAS
• UAS camera systems
• Training and access to research infrastructure facilities

Current collaborators include:

 

 

Education & Training

Graduate School Programs

The Graduate School of the Cyprus Institute offers fully accredited postgraduate degree programs in CARE-C’s areas of focus. Specifically,

• a Doctoral Program in Energy, Environment and Atmospheric Sciences and
• MSc / MPhil in Environmental Sciences, offering two specialized tracks “Atmospheric Sciences” and “Meteorology”.

Students in these programs have the opportunity to study alongside exceptional inter-disciplinary faculty and world-leading research teams, leveraging a first-class research environment with unique infrastructures.

Joint International PhDs with top EU Universities are available through the Co-tutelle scheme, including in collaboration with the University of Helsinki, Université Paris-Saclay, and Université de Lille. 

More information about the Cyprus Institute Graduate School programs, including information on application requirements and scholarships can be found here.

 

Training

Beyond graduate programs, CARE-C is also supporting professional development practices with trainings offered on climate change and weather forecasting, and hands-on practice on atmospheric instrumentation.

 

 

  

Partners & Networks

EU Advanced Partners

CARE-C is supported by close collaboration with its EU Advanced Partners the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz in Germany, the Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) in France, and the University of Helsinki (UHEL) in Finland.

 

National Networks

The Center is cultivating a strong network of national contacts to help support its vision relating to addressing the impacts of climate change in Cyprus and the region.  This includes the creation of trusted, long-term relationships, aiming to create value for the local environment, society & economy.

More specifically, collaborations focus on:

• Academia and other European Centers of Excellence: on research projects and publications
• Cyprus Government Departments: relating to staff affiliations, education & training, policy-feedback and implementation and monitoring of National Actions Plans on climate
• Industry and other private stakeholders: relating to innovation collaborations, provision of services and access to Research Infrastructure
• NGOs and Associations: relating to dissemination, outreach and networking actions on climate change matters

Current national partners include:

 

Regional Networks

CARE-C is acting as a facilitator of regional collaboration on climate change. It is developing a first of its kind regional hub for research, education and innovation for climate action and establishing an emerging network of partnerships with leading universities, research centers and decision-makers in the EMME region.

Accordingly, the Center has launched a Regional Professorship Program with a view of developing a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern science and policy strategy on climate change.

It has already engaged a number of regional partners, including from the countries of Greece, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait and the U.A.E.

CARE-C EMME regional partners include:

                         

 

International Networks

Overall, CARE-C aims to act as a bridge between the EU and the Middle East to facilitate closer and more effective collaboration on climate matters. Bringing together European research expertise, resources and networks, with leading institutions, scientists and experts in the Middle East.

Relevant international networks that CARE-C participates in, include:

 

Contact

For more information, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.