Climate Action

There is no doubt that the anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases are changing our living environment. Climate change is in our hands. We need to both work on limiting it as much as we can (mitigation), but we will also have to learn to adapt to new circumstances. TU Delft will harness its innovative powers to support the world-wide transition to non-fossil resources, and adaptation of the living environment to the consequences of global warming.

The problem is complex and urgent – but we have no other choice than to be optimistic and use all of our capacity to face the challenge, through our education programs and our research.

For more information, see:

In the Climate Action research programme, we start from four themes we consider to be paramount for future Climate Action:

The TU Delft vision on Climate Action is deeply founded in preceding decades of university wide climate action research. The goal of the Climate action research programme is to build on current strengths and identify the areas where there is a need to strengthen our capacities to keep up our (inter)national reputation as climate action university.

Climate Action News

20 August 2020

Greenland Ice Sheet experienced record losses in 2019, and it won’t stop there

Greenland Ice Sheet experienced record losses in 2019, and it won’t stop there

The Greenland Ice Sheet recorded a new record mass loss in 2019, other glaciers in the Arctic region have also been severely affected by the summer of 2019.

03 August 2020

Future energy systems need to be climate proof

Climate policy for future energy systems typically focus on the challenge to make them carbon neutral to avoid climate change.

23 June 2020

New measuring equipment accurately maps out the atmosphere above the TU Delft Campus

New measuring equipment accurately maps out the atmosphere above the TU Delft Campus

A compact and mobile cloud radar will deliver high resolution images of the cloud compositions above the TU Delft Campus.

05 June 2020

Moved by moving water

Moved by moving water

Newton’s law of universal gravitation is good news for the Dutch. Ice melting in Greenland and the Arctic glaciers has caused the Netherlands to rise by about 4 centimetres over the last century. Riccardo Riva has been studying the effects of moving water masses from one place to another.

08 April 2020

Globally mapping air pollution

Globally mapping air pollution

Satellites are the best available measuring instruments to detect man-made pollution worldwide. Atmospheric scientist Pieternel Levelt initiated OMI and TROPOMI, two of the most prestigious measuring instruments for the detailed mapping of harmful pollutants in the atmosphere. TROPOMI, the latest of the two, is capable of identifying and studying sources of pollution with even greater precision. The recently launched satellite will also be monitoring the main greenhouse gas emissions.


Climate Action News

24 October 2023

Policies addressing climate change adaptation should account for behavioural factors

Policies addressing climate change adaptation should account for behavioural factors

Deze zomer zagen we de omvang van de schade die klimaat gerelateerde gevaren zoals zware regenval, overstromingen en aardverschuivingen kunnen aanrichten bij mensen en in steden. Aanpassing aan deze gevaren is cruciaal. Nieuw onderzoek van TU Delft onderzoekers Alessandro Taberna en Tatiana Filatova houdt rekening met dit gebrek aan aanpassing. Het onderzoek laat zien hoe belangrijk het is om rekening te houden met gedragsvooroordelen en sociale beïnvloeding bij het bestuderen van individuele aanpassingskeuzes.

12 October 2023

Groen Gedoe de Podcast

Groen Gedoe de Podcast

28 September 2023

Ruisdael Observatory maps atmosphere of the Netherlands

Ruisdael Observatory maps atmosphere of the Netherlands

What was just a dream five years ago is now starting to become reality. Thanks to hundreds of sensors and several measurement towers, the Ruisdael Observatory continuously provides a clear picture of the atmosphere above the Netherlands. The oldest measurement tower in Cabauw has been in place for 50 years.

20 September 2023

The Delft Tree Atlas: much more than maps

The Delft Tree Atlas: much more than maps

Did you know that many cities are also forests? You can see for yourself when you switch Google Maps to satellite mode. From this bird’s-eye view, you will notice that the average tree cover in cities often exceeds 40%, well above the lower limit of the ‘forest’ classification. Certain regions of Delft even reach 65%, which is more than most natural forests in Europe. But what kind of forest is Delft? Or, more accurately, which kinds?

20 September 2023

Marina Tabassum started as Professor Architectural Design for Climate Adaptation

Marina Tabassum started as Professor Architectural Design for Climate Adaptation

Living and working in Bangladesh, “Architectural Design for Climate Adaptation” is almost more of a necessity than a choice for Marina Tabassum. She brings her personal style to it, combining knowledge of local climate, materials history, culture and community. Marina Tabassum has started as Professor at our faculty on 15 September 2023.