The FOCAL project (eFficient explOration of Climate data locALly) is a game-changer for urban planning and forestry. It tackles some of the most urgent challenges we face today in adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change. It connects local realities with regional and global ambitions, transforming data into actionable insights that empower decision-makers to build resilient cities and sustainable forests. FOCAL puts powerful tools in the hands of local planners and foresters, ensuring they can confidently tackle climate risks. By piloting cutting-edge AI and high-performance computing solutions, FOCAL positions Europe as a leader in climate science, setting an example for the world to follow.
FOCAL doesn’t just give us more data—it makes data actionable by serving data in a format that planning and forestry departments can understand and use. It brings precision to climate action, enabling better urban resilience and more competent forest management. Imagine a world where:
- Cities transform into green, livable spaces equipped to withstand climate shocks.
- Forests survive and thrive, becoming stronger carbon sinks and biodiversity havens.
This is FOCAL’s vision: a future where local, regional, and global needs align to combat climate change through innovation, collaboration, and impact.
Urban areas are at the frontlines of climate change, facing rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and increasing risks of floods and heat waves. FOCAL empowers urban planners by delivering hyper-local climate insights:
- Localized Climate Predictions: Imagine a city planner in Constance, Germany, needing to redesign stormwater systems to handle future floods. FOCAL enables the creation of city-specific “Climate Fact Sheets,” offering granular data on future precipitation, temperature, and extreme weather risks.
- Data-Driven Resilience:
- It helps identify heat islands and plan green infrastructure like parks and tree cover to cool neighborhoods.
- Supports decision-making for flood-resistant urban designs, better drainage systems, and adaptive building materials.
- Connecting Cities Globally: The project enables cities across Europe and beyond to share insights, learn from each other’s climate strategies, and apply cutting-edge AI tools to their unique challenges.
Forests are nature’s shield against climate change, absorbing carbon dioxide, stabilizing soils, and protecting biodiversity. Yet, they’re threatened by rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events. FOCAL equips foresters with the tools to secure this critical resource.
- Precision Forestry:
- Predicts how specific tree species will grow in a changing climate, ensuring the selection of resilient species for reforestation projects.
- Helps optimize forest management by integrating high-resolution climate data with soil quality and topography insights.
- Monitoring Tree Growth and Forest Health:
- Imagine foresters in Finland predicting which areas are at risk of drought-related tree mortality. FOCAL’s models provide actionable insights, helping foresters intervene early and protect vital ecosystems.
- Adaptation and Sustainability:
- Enables reforestation programs tailored to future climate conditions, ensuring forests thrive and continue to absorb carbon.
OGC plays a central role in the FOCAL project by facilitating standardization, collaboration, and community-building efforts. Its contributions ensure that the project’s outputs are interoperable, widely applicable, and aligned with global geospatial standards.
The project is co-funded by the European Commission.
