Switzerland is experiencing pronounced impacts of climate change, with an observed warming roughly twice the global average. This trend has intensified climate extremes, including heatwaves, droughts, and heavy precipitation, as well as compound events, potentially impacting Switzerland´s infrastructure, public health, ecosystems, and the economy. In this context, NCCR CLIM+ aims to address the emerging research question of societal transformation in climate change mitigation and societal resilience. The project aims to advance interdisciplinary research integrating climate science with social and policy perspectives, generating knowledge and practical tools to support informed decision-making and strengthen societal resilience to climate extremes. Co-led by ETH Zurich and the University of Bern, the Climate Extremes and Resilience in Swiss Society (CERESS) has been established to bring together researchers from the natural, social, and policy sciences to better understand how climate extremes affect society and to design effective adaptation strategies.

A core feature of the project is its interdisciplinary structure. The consortium aims to connect universities and climate centers across Switzerland that collaborate with stakeholders from government, industry, and civil society. Together, they examine how climate extremes affect sectors such as health, agriculture, water management, finance, and transport. This collaborative approach ensures that scientific insights are translated into practical strategies that can support decision-making and long-term resilience planning. NCCR CLIM+ will also integrate physics-based climate models with data-driven approaches, including data-driven climate modeling that leverages artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and modern statistical methods. The project further explores potential tipping points and systemic disruptions that could affect Switzerland and the broader European region.

Another key component is the development of interdisciplinary “storylines” that combine physical and social dimensions of extreme climate outcomes. These narratives help researchers and stakeholders examine plausible futures, evaluate trade-offs among adaptation strategies, and identify co-benefits across sectors. By linking scientific evidence with real-world decision contexts, the project supports more informed planning and policy design. Through national collaborations and stakeholder engagement, CERESS will help translate research outcomes into actionable solutions that strengthen resilience to climate extremes across Switzerland.