Collaboration on climate adaptation

The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) and the University of Groningen partnership will expand opportunities to collaborate on academic programmes, educational development, and student exchange. The agreement was signed by GCA CEO Prof. Patrick Verkooijen and University of Groningen president Prof. Jouke de Vries, in the presence of Prof. Andrej Zwitter, dean Campus Fryslân.

As part of the new collaboration, the Global Center on Adaptation and the University of Groningen are developing a new master’s program in Climate Adaptation and Governance at the Faculty Campus Fryslân. This will be an important building block to give the tools to the next generation to act and adapt. This master’s program will be open to the academic community of Groningen and to scholars and students from anywhere in the world.

The Global Center on Adaptation's Young Leadership Programme is already underway, with the goal of bringing on a new generation of leaders to accelerate adaptation. The partnership announced today will promote the exchange of students from all regions in the world, and support visiting programs for adaptation researchers and professionals, particularly from the developing world.

CEO of GCA Patrick Verkooijen said: "The impacts of the climate emergency are already upon us; so we must accelerate adaptation action to ensure we build resilience in all corners of the world. Shared knowledge and learning, and greater collaboration between partners and countries is critically important to increase positive action at scale and speed. The agreement we signed today demonstrates the Global Center on Adaptation's commitment to be a center of excellence for science, education, and knowledge-building on adaptation - focused on our office and team in Groningen."

Jouke de Vries said: "University of Groningen researchers from many fields are conducting research related to weather and climate change. The Global Center of Adaptation with its office in our hometown is an excellent partner to explore the opportunities of collaboration. Together we can accelerate scientific breakthroughs and train the next generation to create a better and sustainable environment."

The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) advances bold actions that help societies across the world become more resilient to climate-related threats. GCA acts as a solutions broker, bringing together governments, the private sector, civil society, intergovernmental bodies, and knowledge institutions that can address the obstacles slowing down adaptation action. The Center builds on, improves, and accelerates breakthrough solutions that catalyze transformation at scale and at speed.