SDU Climate Cluster

SDU Climate Cluster

Interdisciplinary by Design

We cannot save the climate, but we can change the way we live as humans. This requires that we collaborate and share knowledge, as the climate challenges are complex and call for new, interdisciplinary ways of thinking and acting. SDU Climate Cluster contributes with research-based knowledge and an interdisciplinary approach to developing climate solutions in collaboration with universities, municipalities, authorities, companies, and organisations. We connect professionalism and expertise across unique partnerships, where knowledge, experience, and the courage to challenge each other create new opportunities. This is how one plus one becomes more than two, and how we create tangible results and solutions that make a real difference – for the benefit of both the climate and the community.

Follow our activities

Application deadline 1 March 2026

PhD half funded 1 March 2026

The next deadline for applications for SCC financial instruments is per 1 March 2026. The instrument aims to attract or retain research talents to/at SDU and to contribute to new interdisciplinary research collaborations that support SCC's mission to contribute to climate neutrality by 2045.

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News

01.12.2025

School students' massive waste hunt nominated for UN prize

The 'Change4Circularity' project and Astra's Mass Experiment have just been selected as one of the world's best digital solutions by the World Summit Awards. The nomination recognises a unique Danish model where thousands of children and young people don't just learn about the green transition – they actively create the data foundation for it.

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Chemistry

28.11.2025

Can Artificial Photosynthesis Solve Our Energy Problems?

In nature, photosynthesis runs constantly, converting sunlight into chemical energy that all living organisms depend on to grow and survive. But what if artificial photosynthesis could be used to produce fuel we could pour directly into a car’s fuel tank?

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Research Prize

11.11.2025

It is Our Duty to Protect the Life Forms That Cannot Defend Themselves

Elvis Genbo Xu is an environmental toxicologist on a mission: to make the world a less toxic place. Now he is awarded with the Grundfos Prize for his research.

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Circular economy

11.11.2025

New study: Denmark and the Nordics have the largest stock of plastic per capita in the world

Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and the University of Cambridge have, for the first time, mapped the total flow of plastic in the Nordic countries. The study shows that the Nordic region holds the world’s largest stock of accumulated plastic per capita and that only around 5% is recycled domestically.

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22.10.2025

Microalgae and artificial intelligence come to the rescue of the Baltic Sea

Using microalgae as living sensors, an ambitious Danish-German research project aims to build a digital twin of the Baltic Sea — and give politicians and citizens a democratic tool to test which solutions work against oxygen depletion and algal blooms.

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Climate changes

08.10.2025

Heatwaves at Sea May Force the Ocean to Release More CO2

We already know that marine heatwaves can harm the ocean’s animals and reefs. Now, a new study reveals that marine heatwaves may also weaken the oceans’ ability to store carbon

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Construction

07.10.2025

SDU is part of historic research initiative on the green transition in construction

Villum Fonden has awarded its largest grant to date: one billion DKK for a new research programme at the University of Southern Denmark, Aarhus University, the Technical University of Denmark, and Aalborg University, aimed at promoting sustainable solutions in the built environment.

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Greenhouse gas

16.09.2025

Sandy Seafloors: An Overlooked Source of Greenhouse Gas

A new study reveals that methane can form in the upper layers of sandy seabeds — something that has taken scientists by surprise. Special microorganisms are at work, and the phenomenon may be happening along coastlines all over the world.

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GAIA postdoc

03.09.2025

SDU Welcomes the First Nine Gaia Fellows: Launching a Bold Climate Research Journey

The SDU Climate Cluster (SCC) at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) proudly welcomes the inaugural Gaia MSCA Fellowship Cohort, consisting of nine exceptional international postdoctoral researchers who have each been awarded a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship.

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10.06.2025

Buildings should wear dresses woven from sunshine

Future solar energy is soft and woven into fibres. At least, that’s the vision of an international team of researchers and designers from Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands who have joined forces to integrate organic solar cells (OPV) directly into lightweight, flexible textiles. The result is a solar panel woven like fabric used to clad buildings.

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Events at SCC

Meet SDU Climate Cluster

SCC

Our mission

In the video, you can learn more about the SDU Climate Cluster and our mission to contribute with solutions for a climate-neutral society at the latest in 2045.

SCC Funding

Application deadlines:

Fast track: 1 April 2026
Research infrastrukture: 1 April 2026
Postdoc: Opens 1 December 2025
PhD program: 1 March 2026

Search

SDU Climate Cluster

Interdisciplinary by Design

PhD half funded 1 March 2026

News

School students' massive waste hunt nominated for UN prize

Can Artificial Photosynthesis Solve Our Energy Problems?

It is Our Duty to Protect the Life Forms That Cannot Defend Themselves

New study: Denmark and the Nordics have the largest stock of plastic per capita in the world

Microalgae and artificial intelligence come to the rescue of the Baltic Sea

Heatwaves at Sea May Force the Ocean to Release More CO2

SDU is part of historic research initiative on the green transition in construction

Sandy Seafloors: An Overlooked Source of Greenhouse Gas

SDU Welcomes the First Nine Gaia Fellows: Launching a Bold Climate Research Journey

Buildings should wear dresses woven from sunshine

Events at SCC

Meet SDU Climate Cluster

Our mission

Application deadlines:

Relevant perspectives across disciplines

Search

SDU Climate Cluster

Interdisciplinary by Design

PhD half funded 1 March 2026

News

School students' massive waste hunt nominated for UN prize

Can Artificial Photosynthesis Solve Our Energy Problems?

It is Our Duty to Protect the Life Forms That Cannot Defend Themselves

New study: Denmark and the Nordics have the largest stock of plastic per capita in the world

Microalgae and artificial intelligence come to the rescue of the Baltic Sea

Heatwaves at Sea May Force the Ocean to Release More CO2

SDU is part of historic research initiative on the green transition in construction

Sandy Seafloors: An Overlooked Source of Greenhouse Gas

SDU Welcomes the First Nine Gaia Fellows: Launching a Bold Climate Research Journey

Buildings should wear dresses woven from sunshine

Events at SCC

Jordseminar

Jordseminar

Meet SDU Climate Cluster

Our mission

Application deadlines:

Climate talks:

Katherine Richardson

Nikolaj Elf and Line Bruun Nicolaisen

Ann-Sofie Hörlin

Horst-Günter Rubahn

Henrik Wenzel and Lars Yde

Dan Jørgensen

Connie Hedegaard