Research Innovation Unit

31/10/2025

💚 This week, our Consortium met in Germany for JUSTNature's 8th 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴!

As we approach the end of our project, we took the opportunity to proudly look back on our efforts, reflect on the impact we've created, and discuss ways to sustain and build on 's results, while exploring how our journey can inspire others to create positive change. Stay tuned for our press release with more details!

💚 A big thank you to Leibniz Institute for Economic Research (RWI) for hosting us.

15/07/2025

🌿 A Heartfelt Thank You! 🌿

We would like to extend our warmest congratulations and deepest thanks to everyone who participated in and contributed to the success of the JUSTNature event during Refugee Week Malta, held on June 19th, 2025 at the Council of Europe, Gżira.

This vibrant day was made possible through the incredible collaboration between the University of Malta , Research Innovation Unit and the Gzira Local Council. Together, we celebrated the power of community, diversity in nature, and the shared vision of greener, healthier cities for all.

🌱 From the balcony greening competition and plant giveaways, to workshops, interactive performances, and innovative nature-based solutions, the day was filled with creativity, connection, and joy.

Special thanks to all our partners:

Piscopo Gardens 🌼

The 'GROW 10 TREES' Project 🌳

Varcities - Green Cities are Healthier Cities and artist Lesia Yavtushenko 🎨

Kids Dig Science by Sean Briffa 🛸🌍

Mister_June for the unforgettable tribal percussion 🥁

Afro Deli and Coffee for nourishing us with delicious food 🍲

Your energy and passion made this day truly special. Let’s continue to transform our shared spaces, support biodiversity, and create cities where both people and pollinators can thrive.

🌍 Because everyone deserves clean air, beautiful homes, and a deep connection to nature. 💚

27/06/2025

27/06/2025

From Climate Adaptation to Climate Command – Malta’s Doctrine in Action

Last week, Fabian Borg had the honour of presenting Malta’s strategic leap in climate governance at the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change – Mediterranean Forum in Bologna.

In his session on Foresight and Innovation for Climate Resilience, I introduced the operational concept of Climate Command, a doctrine that shifts us from reactive adaptation to anticipatory, data-driven decision-making.

At the heart of this shift is PHASE 2: Malta’s Predictive Hyper-Adaptive Simulation Engine, powered by AI, Earth Observation, and municipal-level governance.

Through PHASE 2 and its Digital Twin of Malta (DTMT), we are:
- Simulating cascading risks such as heatwaves, storm surges, and sea-level rise in real-time,
- Supporting multilevel governance from local councils to EU27 scale,
- Bridging the gap between complex foresight and policy action.

We also highlighted our H2020 JUSTNatureJustNature Project, where PHASE 2 was used to:
- Map thermal inequities and urban heat stress zones,
- Conduct tree inventories and simulate green cooling strategies,
- Support biodiversity targets and the EU Nature Restoration Law.

This approach is not theoretical, it has already informed Malta’s emergency responses, zoning policies, and green infrastructure planning. It is scalable, open-source, and ready for deployment across other Mediterranean territories.

I thank the European Commission and organisers Mission Implementation Platform for Adaptation to Climate Change (MIP4Adapt) for convening such a vital forum. The Mediterranean must not only adapt, but anticipate, simulate, and command.

27/06/2025

🌿 JUSTNature Project in Action: Mapping Nature-Based Urban Futures in the Mediterranean

At the Mediterranean Forum for the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, our Head of Research and Strategy, Fabian Borg, joined the high-level panel to present how JUSTNature empowers cities through science-based climate adaptation.

Using Malta’s pioneering Digital Twin, we demonstrated how thermal inequality data supports urban planning and biodiversity strategies — fully aligned with EU Missions and the Nature Restoration Law.

📊 Key Benefits of the JUSTNature Project:
✔️ Map Urban Heat Hotspots
✔️ Assess Tree Cover & Cooling Deficits
✔️ Identify Heat Risk for Vulnerable Areas
✔️ Plan Cool Spaces in Densely Built Environments
✔️ Support Solar Rooftop Potential
✔️ Guide Local Action under the Nature Restoration Law
✔️ Align with Horizon EU & EU Biodiversity Strategies

We thank the European Commission and the Mission Secretariat for this platform to share RIU’s work and showcase Malta’s leadership in nature-based and digital climate adaptation.

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27/06/2025

COMMANDING FORESIGHT AT THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

Multilevel Governance Conference, Gozo – 13 June 2025

Mandy Farrugia and Fabian Borg from the Research Innovation Unit had the honour of representing Malta at a high-level conference convened by the Council of Europe under the Maltese Presidency.

In a packed room of delegates from across the EU and beyond, including representatives from the European Environment Agency, OECD, and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, they presented Malta’s shift from climate adaptation to climate command through its operational foresight platform: PHASE 2.

They showcased:
– Real-time storm simulations (Medicane Helios)
– Urban heat inequality mapping and re-naturing potential
– Methane detection and circular energy modelling at Magħtab
– Horizon 2020 JUSTNature Project thermal mapping and tree inventories
– Youth foresight education, including Digital Twins in schools and citizen dashboards

What they presented was not just a concept, but a functioning model of climate leadership—driven from the local level and built for the EU27.

Gratitude was extended to the organisers and to the institutions that continue to believe in the power of small states with big foresight.

Read the editorial at https://lnkd.in/dzmGq9J9

27/06/2025

RIU represented the Government of Malta at the “New Capabilities and Countries in European Space” Conference hosted by the ESA - European Space Agency - ESA in Frascati, Italy, on 14–15 May 2025.

We extend our sincere thanks to Xjenza Malta and its CEO Silvio Scerri for coordinating the Maltese delegation and fostering national collaboration across the scientific and space-tech communities.

Co-leads Fabian Borg and Mandy Farrugia of the Research Innovation Unit (RIU) proudly presented Malta’s climate foresight capabilities built around our exclusive use of PHASE 1 and PHASE 2 technologies. These systems are transforming ESA and Copernicus Earth Observation data into real-time simulations for:

· The Digital Twin of Malta – a national-scale foresight engine
· Medicane Helios – high-resolution storm surge and flood mapping
· Heatwave Cerberus – UHI and heat stress risk modelling
· JUSTNature Project H2020 – thermal justice and greening strategy tools
· EO-driven circular economy tools – landfill methane and waste monitoring

Our team also highlighted RIU’s unique experience in operationalising EO data from Sentinel-2, 3a, 5p, Landsat, CAMS, and CMEMS, with plans to expand our engagement through PECS, Horizon, and Destination Earth programmes.

We welcome European and global partners interested in co-developing Digital Twin solutions or testing downstream climate foresight applications.

14/06/2025

25/05/2025

🛰️🌍 The Research Innovation Unit presented at the Is-Servizz Pubbliku Expo 2025 – Going Full Hero Mode! 🦸‍♀️🦸‍♂️

This year, the Research Innovation Unit (RIU) proudly joined the Edukazzjoni u Żgħażagħ Pavilion at the Public Service Expo 2025, showcasing Malta’s leadership in climate innovation and Earth Observation (EO) technologies.

But we didn’t stop at presentations... we went hero mode. 💥
Meet our RIU Cartoon Heroes, brought to life to engage mid-school students in climate foresight, science, and digital transformation. Through storytelling and vibrant visuals, we turned complex digital twin tools into an exciting mission for tomorrow’s scientists! 🚀

With over 6,000 students visiting, our superheroes explained how Malta is tackling real-world threats of heatwaves, floods, droughts, and storms, using real-time data from space and science.

🎯 We aligned our superpowers with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

✅ SDG 3 – Good Health & Well-Being
✅ SDG 6 – Clean Water & Sanitation
✅ SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities & Communities
✅ SDG 13 – Climate Action
✅ SDG 15 – Life on Land

Our tools, including PHASE 1, PHASE 2, and the Digital Twin of Malta, are powered by Copernicus, ESA, and in-situ sensors to simulate floods, heatwaves, and storm surges, helping Malta build resilience before disaster strikes.

🎓 Special thanks to Xjenza Malta for coordinating this inspiring presentation and making science approachable for our future leaders.

06/03/2025

Strengthening International Climate Resilience: Hosting JANUS & ERCA in Malta 🌍🔥

Yesterday, the Research Innovation Unit (RIU) had the privilege of hosting a Japanese delegation from JANUS and ERCA in Malta to discuss heat adaptation strategies, urban heat island (UHI) mitigation, and flood risk modeling.

Showcasing Malta’s Climate Adaptation Tools

As part of RIU’s commitment to data-driven climate resilience, we presented:
✅ The UHI App of Malta – Providing localized insights into heat severity across Malta.
✅ The Malta Heat Severity App – A vital tool for public health and climate risk communication.
✅ The Malta Scientific Population Density App – Supporting data-driven planning for urban resilience.
✅ DTMT-03 powered by PHASE-2 – A next-generation Digital Twin, leveraging AI and real-time climate data to simulate and predict environmental hazards.
✅ Hydrometeorological Flood Simulation of Medicane Helios – Showcasing advanced modeling capabilities for extreme weather forecasting.

Bridging Science & Policy with Earth Observation 🛰️

The discussions reinforced the critical role of Earth Observation (EO) data in climate adaptation. RIU provided insights into:
🛰️ ESA Copernicus Satellites – Delivering high-resolution climate monitoring data.
🛰️ Destination Earth (DestinE) – Europe’s flagship initiative for AI-powered Digital Earth models.
🛰️ USGS/NASA Landsat 8 & 9 – Essential for long-term land surface temperature analysis and UHI tracking.

Key Takeaway
📌 Data-driven climate solutions are essential for effective adaptation.
📌 Collaboration between research, policy, and international agencies is crucial for bridging scientific advancements with real-world implementation.

We extend our gratitude to JANUS, ERCA, and all stakeholders involved in this exchange. RIU remains committed to advancing climate adaptation solutions and fostering international collaboration. Fabian Borg Research Innovation Unit
Gzira Local Council Mandy Farrugia Cathleen Diacono

21/02/2025

21/01/2025

If you are a Gżira resident, we need your help!

As part of the EU-funded project VARCITIES (Visionary Nature-based Actions for Health, Well-being, and Resilience in Cities), the University of Malta invites
Gżira residents to participate in a post-implementation survey aimed at collecting socio-demographic and health and well-being data.

We aim to reach 250 responses, so your participation is greatly appreciated. All information provided will be kept confidential and will not be shared with third parties. By participating in the questionnaire, you will have the chance to enter into a raffle and win one of three €50 vouchers to green your balcony or indoor space of choice.

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Click the link or scan the QR code to access the questionnaire 👇
https://zfrmz.eu/KYPWgIP78anM3hiFcs6h


Visit this page for more info about the Gżira Visionary Solutions:
https://varcities.eu/pilot-cities/gzira-malta/