Back on Board: Governing Council Sets New Leadership and Direction for the Second Cycle

The Knowledge Hub on Sea Level Rise (KH SLR) has entered discussions on its second cycle, with the first Governing Council meeting on 23 April 2026 marking a renewed push to strengthen collaboration and accelerate joint action on sea level rise knowledge.

Bringing together participating countries, the meeting focused on restarting the momentum of the initiative and turning the wheel on the second cycle of the joint initiative of JPI Climate and JPI Oceans. Key discussions centred on governance, shared priorities, and the practical steps needed to move forward.

The Governing Council confirmed Kristin Richter (NORCE Norwegian Research Centre) and Alessio Rovere (Universitá Ca’ Foscari) as Co-Chairs of the KH SLR’s Management Committee. Together, they bring deep and complementary expertise in sea-level rise research, positioning the KH for strong and collaborative leadership in the years ahead.

Participants also reflected on the first cycle of the KH which produced a comprehensive assessment report and on insights from the previous cycle’s expert scoping survey, helping to shape the direction and focus of upcoming activities. A range of potential thematic areas for the next cycle were also touched upon – these will be further developed and concretised over time as the work progresses. Key next steps include building out the team of leading experts and further refining the scope of the next report cycle.

About the Knowledge Hub on Sea Level Rise

The Knowledge Hub on Sea Level Rise is a joint initiative of JPI Climate and JPI Oceans, focusing on regional to local sea level change in Europe. It supports the development and implementation of policies at local, national and European level by providing a platform for exchange, synthesis, integration and generation of knowledge on past, present and future sea level rise.

By addressing knowledge gaps and strengthening exchange between disciplines, the Knowledge Hub aims to support more informed decision-making on protective and adaptive measures. Its cooperative and interdisciplinary approach facilitates knowledge transfer across European countries, contributing to solutions that reflect both global dynamics and regional specificities.

In its first cycle, the Knowledge Hub, with participation of 9 European countries, delivered its first assessment report on sea level rise in Europe, published in the Copernicus journal State of the Planet, providing an integrated overview of sea level rise science and its implications. Building on this foundation, the second cycle will further develop work on sea level rise drivers, impacts and policy options, tailored to the needs of end users, including stakeholders and policymakers.

(Cover Photo by Peggy Paulson on Unsplash)