Philippe Ciais

Philippe Ciais is a Professor at The Cyprus Institute (CyI) within the Climate and Atmosphere Research Center (CARE-C). His research focuses on the global carbon cycle, biogeochemical cycles, and their interactions with climate change and society. He holds a PhD in Physics from Ecole Normale Supérieure (1991) and has extensive experience in academic leadership, including roles as director of a research department and deputy director at the Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement (LSCE).

• Previously coordinated the European Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) infrastructure across 17 countries.
• Co-chaired the Global Carbon Project (2009) and served as Convening Lead Author for the IPCC’s 5th Assessment Report’s Carbon Cycle chapter.

His research integrates ecosystem models, satellite data, and eddy-covariance observations to study climate-ecosystem interactions. Notable contributions include analyses of forest responses to droughts and boreal ecosystem changes, as well as collaborations with Beijing University through the Sino-French SOFIE institute.

Ciais has authored 962 publications (≈90,900 citations), ranking among the most influential climate scientists globally, with five papers in the top 100 most cited climate change studies.

Grants and collaborations include leadership in ICOS, international policy initiatives, and joint research programs. He is affiliated with CyI’s CARE-C, fostering interdisciplinary climate research and policy innovation.