Prominent professor named as Head of Scientific Research at Denmark’s National Centre for Climate Research

Internationally recognised climate scientist Eigil Kaas, professor at The Niels Bohr Institute (NBI) at the University of Copenhagen, will become the new Head of Scientific Research at the National Centre for Climate Research (NCKF). The centre conducts research, gathers information and collates climate research from across Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, through collaborative research with universities, other scientific institutions, state agencies and decision makers. And it is these collaborations that the experienced climate scientist will now lead.

”I’m looking forward to contributing to a strengthened Danish climate effort. Climate research is fundamental when it comes to how we can mitigate climate changes and prepare for more extreme climates in the future; this is important in a time of rising sea levels and recurring extreme weather events. The National Centre for Climate Research unites the scientific forces of several universities and institutions, providing a solid basis for climate solutions that will benefit everyone – and I look forward to bringing my personal knowledge and extensive network into play ,” explains Eigil Kaas.

The National Centre for Climate Research has been created to generate local and specific knowledge on how climate change will affect Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands in the coming decades. And with Eigil Kaas as the new man at the helm, the centre is well on its way.

”We are extremely pleased to have Eigil Kaas on board. We want to provide decision makers and citizens with the best possible foundation for tackling climate change, and in Eigil Kaas we have an undisputed heavy weight in the areas of weather and climate, both in a Danish and international research context. Eigil Kaas’ network is also a formidable strength, given our determination to collaborate with other research environments,” confirms Marianne Thyrring, Director of the Danish Meteorological Institute.

DMI and NBI have agreed a combined contract whereby Eigil Kaas can continue working in tandem as a professor at NBI. This is vital both for the research collaboration and the educational programs for coming Danish climate physicists and meteorologists, which Eigil has played a major part in over the past 15 years. Consequently he can assist new teachers with teaching materials, advise students and continue to ensure a direct on-going relationship between NCKF and the universities. 

Eigil Kaas is not unfamiliar with DMI. First employed as a student programmer in 1982, he left DMI in 2006 after a number of years as Head of DMI’s Climate Research Division.  He has maintained close ties with the researchers at DMI ever since.

Eigil Kaas will assume his new position of Head of Scientific Research at the National Centre for Climate Research on 1 March 2021.

Facts about the National Centre for Climate Research (NCKF)

As part of the research reserve funding for 2021, 39.4 million Danish Kroner was allocated to continue and develop the National Centre for Climate Research (NCKF) and monitoring of the Greenland ice sheet.

Excerpt from the agreement text

The agreement states: NCKF can support an effective and sustainable climate adaptation effort and contribute to the global knowledge surrounding climate change, with particular reference to the Arctic and Antarctic.

NCKF will conduct research, gather information and collate climate research from Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands through research collaborations across universities, other scientific institutions, state agencies and decision makers.  

NCKF will support and strengthen DMI’s role as a climate science advisory body.

 The centre will focus on:

• Arctic and Antarctic climate changes including the systematic collection of extended time series of climate observation
• climate change and extreme weather in Denmark
• the consequences of climate change, i.e. in relation to flooding
• supporting the green transition, i.e. in relation to the harnessing of wind- and solar energy.
• a  strengthened national collaboration , contributing to international collaborations (IPCC, for example) and communication and publications

 NCKF’s research will focus on the most critical areas of climate action, where there is a particular need to develop new knowledge and improve climate projections, and to fill significant gaps in the international knowledge surrounding climate change.

The political parties note in the grant text that the work at DMI occurs in collaboration with a large number of national and international partners. The drawing down of international research funds increases the combined research volume under the auspices of the centre.