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Fair distribution: Researchers determine just greenhouse gas budgets for all EU regions

Ten years ago, on 12 December 2015, the Paris Climate Agreement was signed at the UN Climate Conference. In order to limit global warming to well below two degrees, only a certain amount of CO2 may be emitted worldwide. While the focus was originally on national emission targets, more than 200 subnational regions and almost 300 cities have now adopted their own targets. But how many emissions are they fairly entitled to? Researchers at the University of Graz have now developed transparent criteria for fair distribution at the subnational level for the first time and determined corresponding greenhouse gas budgets for all European regions. The paper was published today in the scientific journal Nature Communications.

Influential: Rupert Baumgartner and Holger Hoff among the highly cited researchers

The number of publications in scientific journals is considered to be a measure of a researcher's scientific achievement. How often these works are cited by colleagues provides information about the relevance of the publications. Sustainability researcher Rupert Baumgartner and transdisciplinarity expert Holger Hoff from the University of Graz are among the top 1 per cent of the most cited scientists in their fields of research.

Nitrogen as the key: the overestimated effect of CO2 as a plant fertiliser

High levels of atmospheric CO2 can intensify climate change. Having said that, high CO2 also stimulates plant growth which decreases climate change. But only if, among other things, nitrogen is present in sufficient quantities. The actual amount of nitrogen has only recently been reassessed. The “fertilising effect” of CO2 has been significantly overestimated, as a brand-new study involving the University of Graz now shows.

Researchers at the University of Graz provide evidence of climate change in the atmosphere

Human-induced climate change is leaving clear traces in the atmosphere. Using satellite data, researchers at the Wegener Center at the University of Graz proved that the troposphere has expanded by up to 500 meters in some regions over the last two decades. The increase was most pronounced in the mid-latitudes of the northern hemisphere. This is also likely to be a sign of changes in the strong westerly winds, known as jet streams, and thus influences weather patterns. The new findings were recently published in the research journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.

Consequences of climate change for Austria's water: Uni Graz is partner in new study

It remains to be seen what goals the international community will agree on at the current UN Climate Change Conference in Brazil. One thing is certain: global warming continues to increase. A large-scale study commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management (BMLUK) launched today is investigating what this means for our water. One of the project partners is the University of Graz. Wolfgang Schöner and his team from the Department of Geography and Regional Science are contributing the latest findings on the influence of ice and snow on the water balance.

Reaching climate targets: analytical models must include all stakeholders

The next UN Climate Change Conference, COP 30, will begin in two weeks in Belém, Brazil. Every year, the international community agrees on targets to curb global warming. However, implementation by national governments, business stakeholders and citizens is lagging behind. An international group of researchers, including Stefan Nabernegg and Nina Knittel from the University of Graz, sees one reason for this discrepancy in the assessment models used for negotiations on climate targets. These models usually ignore the behaviour of institutions, households and individuals. However, for climate policy to be truly effective, such aspects must be taken into account. In a recent publication in the scientific journal PNAS, the researchers propose combining analysis models from different decision-making levels in order to better understand the gap between global climate agreements and local implementation and how to close it.

Reiz-Thema

Die Erde heizt sich auf. Gleichzeitig aber wächst die Zahl derer, die nichts mehr davon hören wollen. Was könnte sie umstimmen? Hermine Mitter untersucht Anreize zu klimafreundlichem Verhalten.

Green Academia Award for Earth Sciences, Business Administration and History

A high number of publications in prestigious research journals in combination with climate-friendly behaviour when it comes to international business trips – researchers from the Earth Sciences at the University of Graz best fulfilled this requirement last year. For this, they were presented with the Green Academia Award 2025 on 22 September. As winners, the scientific discipline received 50,000 euros. Business administration came in second place, receiving 20,000 euros, History in third place, receiving 10,000 euros. The prize money is intended be used for research and teaching projects that promote climate protection and sustainability.

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