World Climate Change and Artificial Intelligence Hub
Introducing the World Climate Change and Artificial Intelligence Hub
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence presents both opportunities and risks for addressing climate change and its many impacts. Without structured research infrastructure, the potential of AI to address climate change, poverty, and resource management remains fragmented and underutilised.
Based at the Research and Transfer Centre on Sustainable Development and Climate Change Management (FTZ-NK) at the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, in cooperation with the International Climate Change Information and Research Programme (ICCIRP), one of the world´s major scientific networks in the field, the World Climate Change and Artificial Intelligence Hub will addresses this gap. The FTZ-NK, founded in 2007, has a proven track record in sustainability research and international cooperation. It has been acting as coordinator or partners in a variety of research projects, whose income exceeds Euro 104 million, being the leading research centre in the field.
The Hub is led by Professor Walter Leal, an Euro-Professor and globally recognised researcher, list for many years among Stanford University-Scopus list of the top 2% of scientists worldwide, and among the 1% most cited publishers by Clarivate Analytics's Highly Cited Researchers list.
Mission
The Hub's mission is to generate rigorous research projects on AI applications for climate change mitigation and adaptation, produce scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, organise international events and conferences, and train the next generation of PhD and post-doctoral researchers. Its activities span AI for climate modeling, disaster prediction, water management, smart agriculture, and sustainable urban development. Prof. Leal has already published extensively on this intersection, including systematic reviews showing that AI may be used in a wide range of climate change related issues, with a significant potential to strengthen climate governance and policy coherence.
Contact
This infrastructure is not merely useful, it is essential. AI technologies are evolving faster than our governance and evaluation frameworks can keep pace. The Hub provides the scientific rigor and international cooperation needed to ensure AI serves humanity's most pressing challenges. Organisations interested to join the hub are invited to send an expression of interest to: haisdcc (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
Important note
Please provide the full details of your organisation,your previous experience on AI, full contact details and a statement of how you may contribute to the Hub. The deadline for expressions of interest is 20th October 2026. Selected organisations will be contacted to discuss the next steps: haisdcc (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
