Introduction

BC3, Basque Centre for Climate Change, is a Basque Excellence Research Centre (BERC) established in 2008 under the direction of the Basque Government and the University of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea to contribute to knowledge about the causes and impacts of climate change and encourage progress in high-level research on the subject.

This center was created as a result of the Basque government’s strong commitment to promoting research and science as well as their desire to attract prestigious international researchers.

This commitment is reflected in the 2010 Science, Technology and Innovation governmental program, which commits to positioning the Basque Country as a benchmark in innovation and science in Europe. BC3 was created as a reflection of the importance that both the Basque Environmental Strategy for Sustainable Development 2002-2020 , and the Basque Plan to face the Climate Change 2008-2012 attribute to the generation of knowledge as a strategy to promote both an improved quality of life and the preservation of the environment and its resources.

Led by professor Maria José Sanz, a recognized leader in the study of the  climate change, BC3 aims to contribute to the on-going dialogue by joining forces with other world centres to collaborate towards this ambitious goal.  BC3´s specialists are currently engaged in the primary lines of research of low carbon, climate and natural environment, health and climate policy.