Research Unit Leader
Marianna Adinolfi

The Regional Advanced Climate Tools (ReACT) research unit analyzes climate and its change at regional and local scales, focusing on extreme events in complex contexts like urban environment, coastal and mountainous areas. It develops and applies advanced scientific tools to improve local impact assessments by integrating downscaling techniques, including regional climate models (RCMs), statistical bias correction, and machine learning (emulators and data-driven methods). The use of high-resolution coupled regional earth system models capturing atmosphere, ocean, and air quality interactions, with enhanced urban parameterizations is key to improve local climate representation. The unit actively participates in international initiatives as CORDEX and Flagship Pilot Studies and plays key roles in the CLM Community for advancing the ICON regional climate model. ReACT employs advanced methods to produce high-resolution, innovative climate datasets and analyses worldwide, studying climate change across different scenarios to support regional planning and climate services development

Research Unit Leader
Mario Raffa

The Short-term PREdictions and Systemic Tools (PRESTO) research unit develops and optimizes high-resolution meteorological models and tools for short- and very-short-term forecasting, focusing on extreme atmospheric events at local and regional scales. By integrating in situ and satellite data, PRESTO advances methods for detection, nowcasting, and forecasting of atmospheric phenomena. It also develops regional earth system models with currently specifically coupled atmospheric, ocean, and air quality components for detailed representation of atmospheric dynamics in complex context (such as urban and coastal areas). Moreover Its activity includes data assimilation for high-resolution NWP models, production of high-resolution atmospheric reanalyses, and application of machine learning for model enhancement and data-driven predictions. PRESTO contributes to and uses numerical models like COSMO, ICON and WRF. As an active member of the COSMO consortium, it collaborates on operational forecasting systems, supporting Agenzia Italia Meteo.

Research Unit Leader
Giuliana Barbato

Research Unit Leader
Alfredo Reder

The Adaptation Engineering (AE) research unit innovates civil engineering practices to address climate risks, considering compounded and cascading effects of both extreme and slow-onset climate impacts. It works across civil engineering domains (structural, hydraulic, geotechnical, and transportation), promoting climate-proofing and resilient design in synergy with BE-ADAPT and CSD. AE leverages modelling chains combining physical and data-driven approaches, which turn uncertainty into actionable decision-making information, and participates in international networks, such as those updating Eurocodes, strengthening CMCC’s role in applied climate adaptation sciences.

Research Unit Leader
Carmela Apreda

The Built Environment climate ADAPTation and Resilience (BE-ADAPT) research unit advances climate-proofing and resilience in the built environment by developing innovative tools to address climate risks and adaptation, including assessment methods, what-if scenarios, and digital twins. Drawing on expertise in architecture, urban planning, and environmental and economic sciences, and working in synergy with AE and CSD, the Unit supports the integration of scientific knowledge into planning and decision-making processes. BE-ADAPT collaborates with diverse actors—including research institutions, public authorities, and policymakers—turning scientific knowledge into actionable, context-driven strategies for safer, inclusive, and climate-resilient urban and territorial systems.

Research Unit Leader
Arianna Acierno

The Behavioural Adaptation and Engagement (BAE) research unit focuses on the social side of climate adaptation, making climate science understandable, relevant, and actionable. Through communication, engagement, and participatory tools, the team promotes inclusive decision-making, risk awareness, and active citizenship. Combining social sciences, economics, and communication, BAE designs strategies that drive behavioural change, support resilient communities, and build public consensus around adaptation and social transformation. From analysing perceptions to evaluating social impacts, BAE connects science with community needs, bringing people into climate action and ensuring no one is left behind.