Kicking off the final conference of the H2020 JUSTNature Project in Brussels #h2020 #horizoneurope
Research Innovation Unit
Government Administration
Gzira, Eastern Region 446 followers
Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
About us
The Research Innovation Unit (RIU) is Malta’s first public-sector entity dedicated to climate foresight, Earth Observation (EO), and digital innovation for resilience. Founded in 2020 within Local Government, RIU bridges critical national gaps by applying advanced spatial analytics, AI, and simulation tools to real-world risks. From heatwaves to floods, we turn data into foresight. • In 2024, we launched DTMT-01, Malta’s first Digital Twin. • In 2025, we unveiled PHASE 2, a scientific-grade simulation engine built on open-source tools and AI, now gaining traction across the EU27 and Japan. Our tools are used to simulate and visualise climate extremes, urban heat islands, storms, sea-level rise, making us one of the EU’s frontrunners in climate tech. RIU is recognised by the European Commission, the European Environment Agency, and international institutions for bringing high-accuracy, low-cost, and scalable climate solutions. We participate in EU policy workshops, Horizon projects, and regularly advise on adaptation strategies. We specialise in: • Digital Twins & AI modelling • Urban climate resilience • EO & remote sensing analytics • SDG alignment & science-policy translation • Public engagement & youth outreach We proudly serve the Government of Malta and represent Local Government innovation internationally. Whether supporting city planners, ministries, or students, we believe data, ethics, and action must work hand-in-hand.
- Website
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https://riu.gov.mt
External link for Research Innovation Unit
- Industry
- Government Administration
- Company size
- 2-10 employees
- Headquarters
- Gzira, Eastern Region
- Type
- Government Agency
- Founded
- 2021
- Specialties
- Scientific Research, Urban Heat Island, Climate change, nature based solutions, H2020, Horizon Europe, and Air pollution
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
Research Innovation Unit
Gzira Local Council, 283/1 Rue D'Argens
Gzira, Eastern Region GZR 1364, MT
Employees at Research Innovation Unit
Updates
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When a storm system persists, in-situ equipment comes really handy from a ground level data gathering #malta #storm #harry
When the barometer confirms the feeling: anatomy of a stalled storm. This week didn’t feel like a storm “passing through”. It felt like a system that sat on top of the Maltese Islands and refused to let go. At AHEAD Institute and Foundation for Societal Advancement and the Research Innovation Unit we do not just rely on forecasts. We validate in real time with in-situ data. Our Kunak Air Pro sensors in Gżira captured the full fingerprint of Storm Harry, and the pressure story explains why conditions lingered. 1️⃣ The plunge - From around 1015 hPa on 19 January to around 1000 hPa on 21 January, we saw a drop of roughly 15 hPa in 48 hours. That kind of pressure fall is the signature of a serious system and a key driver behind the sustained gale conditions offshore. 2️⃣ The bottom out - We hit the minimum at 998.03 hPa on 22 January at 03:11 (Gżira C), with the other sensors confirming the same trough within minutes. 3️⃣ The stall - What stands out is not only the minimum, but the duration. Pressure stayed depressed (below roughly 1004 hPa across the network) for almost three days. That “low pressure lid” helped keep moisture, cloud and instability trapped over us, long after the first punch of winds. This is exactly why Malta needs granular, local climate intelligence. It is not just about wind. It is the full atmospheric setup, measured where people actually live. #ClimateIntelligence #AHEAD #RIU #MaltaWeather #StormHarry #Resilience #Kunak #Data
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This year’s Local Councils Expo 2025 by the Local Councils' Association Malta let Malta’s local and regional authorities touch climate intelligence, not just hear about it. At the RIU booth, mayors, councillors, officers and even the Malta Police Force explored Urban Heat Island hotspots, Heat Severity risks and live air-quality data from the Kunak Air Pro, all powered by the JUSTNature project and our digital twins of Malta. In this new article, we share how these tools are turning complex science into simple, actionable insights for every locality. 👇 #ResearchInnovationUnit #LocalCouncils #ClimateAdaptation #UrbanHeatIsland #DigitalTwin #JUSTNature #Horizon2020 #AirQuality #KunakAirPro #LocalGovernment #ResilientCities #Malta
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🌿 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. 🔗 #ClimateCommand #PHASE2 #DigitalTwinMalta 🔗 #EUmissions #HorizonEU #MissionClimateAdaptation #MissionMedForum25 🔗 #JUSTNature #UrbanHeatMapping #NatureRestorationLaw #BiodiversityIntelligence #MultilevelGovernance
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The Malta Public Service Expo 2025 came to a close… but Malta’s climate mission is just beginning! This year, the Research Innovation Unit (RIU) proudly exhibited at the Edukazzjoni u Żgħażagħ Pavilion, thanks to the kind invitation and support of Xjenza Malta. We’re truly grateful for the platform they gave us to showcase Malta’s leadership in Earth Observation, digital innovation, and climate foresight to over 6000 students. And with that, we officially launched our version in Cartoon Heroes; Malta’s mid-school climate defenders, created to inspire a new generation of thinkers, doers, and protectors. From heatwaves to floods, they stand guard over our islands using science, technology, and bold ideas. But even superheroes can’t save the planet alone. They need your support!!! Whether you're a student, teacher, policymaker, or citizen, we all have a role in building a climate-safe future. The RIU Cartoon Heroes are here to remind us that action starts with awareness, and that science can be fun, too. Backed by JUSTNatureProject, Horizon Europe, and the dedication of Malta’s local climate team, the RIU will continue turning complex research into engaging, accessible tools for the public good. Thank you to all who visited, interacted with our heroes, and joined us in this mission. #RIU #PublicServiceExpo2025 #XjenzaMalta #ClimateHeroes #DigitalTwins #ClimateAdaptation #SDGs #HorizonEurope #Edukazzjoni #MaltaYouth #FutureScientists #CartoonHeroes #ThermalJustice #Malta
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RIU represented the Government of Malta at the “New Capabilities and Countries in European Space” Conference hosted by the 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 · JUSTNatureProject 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. #ESA #PHASE2 #DigitalTwin #EarthObservation #SpaceForClimate #JUSTNature #ClimateAdaptation #EUClimateMission #Malta #RIU_Malta #Copernicus #ClimateForesight #CircularEconomy #XjenzaMalta #SpaceResearch #DTMT #JUSTNature
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