EXPloring opportunitiEs for developing a risk and resilience climate service baseD on bIg daTa and machinE learning

Despite the urgent need for adopting multi-hazard risk approaches and for the implementation of resilience-enhancing measures in

the EU and at the global scale, several challenges for effective implementation of risk assessment and adaptation responses remain.

In particular, the assessment of climate hazards, risk and resilience is often based on static models which lose the appreciation of the

temporal and spatial dynamics and complex feedback responses within the system. As a consequence, the information provided

often fails to inform decision-makers and other end-users with the correct data to be actioned through timely responses to emerging

risks. Barriers to development and implementation of novel approaches and models include the availability, cost and reliability of

input datasets; the computational times and costs; the lack of consideration of the combined effect of multiple hazards; the spatial

and temporal changes in the exposure of assets and services; and the complex adaptive responses of government, society and the

environment to emerging risks. EXPEDITE aims at exploring new pathways to reduce and remove these barriers by exploring, testing

and deploying machine learning and data science techniques and by developing and testing a climate service prototype, tailored to

end-users. These may include institutional clients (such as Regions) the private sector or individual consumers. The research project,

which will last 24 months, will be mainly conducted at CMCC@Ca’Foscari in Venice (Italy) under the supervision of Prof. Andrea

Critto, with targeted secondments for advanced training in machine learning and data science at MALGA, University of Genoa and

for climate service design and prototyping at GECOsistema srl, a specialised R&D consulting lab. A targeted dissemination and

communication plan will allow EXPEDITE to share the research activities, outcomes and outputs with researchers, policymakers, the

private sector and the general public.