The Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR2) confirms that it will continue its operations through the strengthening of the “Regional Ecosystems and Environment” component within the University of Chile’s Program of Activities of National Interest.
CR2 will continue operating thanks to an agreement on the “Activities of National Interest program” between the University of Chile and the Ministry of Education.
The agreement includes the implementation of activities focused on “applied research, training, university outreach, the generation of climate information, integrated environmental analysis, and knowledge transfer carried out by specialized academic teams at the University of Chile, with particular emphasis on climate and resilience.”
These activities are reflected in “contributions and advisory support for the development of strategic instruments and the implementation of national public policy; the development of scientific infrastructure such as climate services, databases, and advanced environmental observation systems; the preparation of specialized technical reports at both national and international levels; as well as sustained indexed scientific production and systematic public outreach and communication efforts. These initiatives are aimed at translating scientific evidence into operational inputs, reducing technical gaps within the State, and contributing to territorial and sectoral planning in environmental matters. At the same time, this effort will strengthen Chile’s international standing in these areas and its role in global climate governance. These activities are structured around an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach that integrates natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and territorial planning, while connecting academic work with public agencies, regional governments, communities, and other relevant stakeholders.”
The Program of Activities of National Interest dates back to the 1990s and enables the University of Chile to contribute to the country in a wide range of areas, including the National Symphony Orchestra, the National Ballet of Chile, the University of Chile Choir, the National Seismological Center, and the National Museums Network, among others.
President Rosa Devés stated that “the allocation of resources from the Activities of National Interest program, within its environmental component, to ensure the continuity of CR2’s interdisciplinary scientific work reflects the University’s commitment to sustainability and to contributing to the country through research.” She also emphasized that “this decision recognizes the strategic importance of the center’s work in understanding and addressing the climate crisis, as well as its contribution to generating rigorous, policy-relevant knowledge.” In this regard, she highlighted “the value of CR2’s collaborative and interdisciplinary work, which integrates diverse perspectives to address complex challenges and strengthens the University’s role as a key actor in building sustainable development.”
CR2 Director, Professor Roberto Rondanelli, stated that the decision to ensure the continuity of the center’s academic work is grounded in its critical role for the functioning of the State, as its discontinuation would have weakened strategic activities such as the implementation of climate change public policy, as well as the development of adaptation and mitigation programs at both sectoral and municipal levels. He also noted that the CR2 team of researchers and professionals is grateful for the efforts made by university authorities and especially values the vision and strong, generous support of President Devés and her team, which made it possible to incorporate the center into the Program of Activities of National Interest and secure its continuity.
For her part, CR2 Executive Director Susana Bustos stated that “while this funding is essential, the center will continue to seek additional sources to complement this important baseline support.”
“CR2 plays a key role in training advanced human capital and is an active participant in global climate science discussions, allowing the country to project a strong and recognized voice on the international stage and contribute to global challenges,” she added.
Data Platforms and International Engagement
CR2 will not only maintain its support for researchers but also its physical and digital infrastructure, including data platforms and observation sites that are essential for evidence-based decision-making regarding the impacts of climate change in Chile.
“CR2 is internationally recognized for its academic excellence. It currently has six researchers serving as authors for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world’s leading scientific body on climate change,” said Rondanelli.
In 2025, CR2 researchers were selected to join the international team for the IPCC’s Seventh Assessment Cycle. These include Marco Billi, Eugenia Gayó, Nicolás Huneeus, Gabriela Guevara, Mauricio Osses, and Pamela Smith.
In addition, CR2 researcher Laura Gallardo serves as Vice Chair of IPCC Working Group II.
Mission for the Future
With this new phase, the center reaffirms its mission to mobilize interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary knowledge to guide just climate action.
In this regard, Susana Bustos emphasized that CR2’s continuity is especially important because “beyond being a research center, it is a strategic platform that connects science, public policy, and society, generating critical knowledge for the country and enabling informed decision-making on issues such as water security, heat waves, wildfires, and impacts on ecosystems and society.”
CR2 Deputy Director Eugenia Gayó agreed, noting that continuity allows the center to continue training highly qualified professionals, generating scientific evidence to anticipate risks, and providing concrete tools to support decision-making in both the public and private sectors. “It is a bridge between science, education, and climate action,” she said.
According to the Director, CR2’s main objective is to promote climate-resilient development in Chile and across South America, maintaining the high scientific standards that have positioned the institution as a regional and global reference.
The center also aims to maintain one of its core strengths at the science–policy interface through its “Reports to the Nation” and policy briefs, which translate interdisciplinary research into actionable recommendations for the public sector.
“These outputs have led to real changes in public policies and local actions that directly enhance community resilience to the impacts of climate change,” said Roberto Rondanelli.
