Micheal Martin unveiled the new research centre which will be a partnership between University College Dublin and Dublin City University and will be supported by the Tyndall National Institute in Cork.
Clarity will collaborate with multinational companies and small businesses, together with environmental agencies across Ireland.
The centre will receive a total of Euro 16.4m of funding over the next five years.
Mr Martin announced: “This investment will establish Clarity as a truly unique world-class multidisciplinary research centre.”
He explained his vision of linking academic researchers with industry partners in Ireland, ensuring Clarity plays a significant role in building the country’s new knowledge-driven economy.
The minister for environment, heritage and local government John Gormley recently launched the publicity phase of a five-year awareness campaign about climate change across Ireland.
The Change initiative will feature a website, extensive advertising and a telephone line.