C3e kerala project

For more information, please contact:

Dr. R Ranith

[ rajranith@gmail.com ][keralacenerci@gmail.com][nansencentre.india@gmail.com]

Two-day International Conference on Climate Change Impacts on Coastal Environments

3-4 February 2026

At Bolgatty palace and island resort

Coastlines around the world are increasingly vulnerable to climate change impacts such as sealevel rise, shoreline erosion, ecosystem degradation, and climate extreme events. This conference works around the scientific advances made in the project “Climate change impact on the marine coastal ecosystem of Kerala (C3e-Kerala)“, funded by the Research Council of Norway (www.c3ekerala.in). Climate effects on the Kerala coast are central to the project. The conference aims to showcase the scientific outcomes of the C3e-Kerala project as well as the latest advancements in research on the impact of climate change on the marine and coastal ecosystems around the world. It is an attempt to bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders to share knowledge, discuss emerging challenges, and explore sciencebased solutions for building climateresilient coastal systems. The conference also provides a platform for dialogue between scientists and stakeholders to ensure that research outcomes are aligned with societal needs and policy priorities. Recognising the relevance and social commitment of the project, it has been endorsed by UNESCO as as a project forming part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030.

There will be invited talks by International and national experts in the respective fields of study.

Participant presentations and posters will also be part of the event.

Conference Themes

1. Sealevel Rise and Shoreline Changes Observations, modelling, coastal erosion, sediment dynamics, and longterm shoreline evolution.

2. Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Climate Extremes Climate drivers of HABs, marine heatwaves, extreme events, impacts on fisheries and coastal livelihoods.

3. Habitat Mapping Coastal and marine habitat assessment, remote sensing, ecosystem health, and biodiversity under climate stress.

4. Marine Spatial Planning and Adaptation Strategies Integrated planning approaches, naturebased solutions, policy frameworks, and adaptation pathways for coastal resilience.

Stakeholder Interaction Session

A dedicated stakeholder interaction session will facilitate discussions on climate change impacts along the Kerala coast, incorporating perspectives from coastal communities, government agencies, NGOs, and industry. This session aims to identify challenges, opportunities, and actionable adaptation strategies. The organisers Nansen Environmental Research Centre India (NERCI) is a research organization dedicated to understanding climate, ocean, and ecosystem processes using observations, modelling, and Earth system science approaches. It is approved by DSIR and is an affiliated research centre of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS). NERCI works closely with national and international partners to generate science-based knowledge that supports climate adaptation, environmental management, and sustainable development, particularly in coastal and marine regions.

NERCI is joined by Nansen Environmental and Remote sensing Center (NERSC), Norway, the co-ordinator of the C3e-Kerala project. NERSC, established in Bergen in 1986, currently has around 70 employees from more than 20 different countries. NERSC does research on ocean, sea ice and atmospheric conditions in the North Atlantic and the Arctic, and links to global climate change, and aim to deliver groundbreaking results in climate and environmental research.

Call for Abstracts

Researchers, earlycareer scientists and students are invited to submit abstracts for oral (limited number only) or poster presentations aligned with the conference themes.

No registration fee for submission of abstracts and participation in the conference

Abstract Guidelines:

• Maximum length: 750 words

• Indicate the preferred session and presentation type (oral/poster)

• Abstracts to be sent to the mail id: keralacenerci@gmail.com

Important Dates

• Abstract submission deadline: 25 th January 2026

• Notification of acceptance: 31 st January 2026

• Conference dates: 3-4 February 2026

Organising chairpersons:

Dr. Roshin P Raj,

Scientist & Co-ordinator, C3e-Kerala Project, NERSC, Norway

Dr. Nandini Menon N,

Principal Scientist & PI, C3e-Kerala project, NERCI, India