Representing the UC and EC2U at COP30 in November, in Belém, Brazil, the delegation - also including Professors Alexandra Aragão, Carlos Robalo Cordeiro, Filipa Bessa, Helena Freitas and Henrique Madeira - shared expertise and best practices in ​​sustainability, and actively learning from the experiences of other institutions and organizations present at the summit. This year, the presence at COP30 was particularly significant, contributing to seven different panels on sustainability and climate action: 

• “Fireside Chat: Education and Net-Zero Campus Development” and “Key Pathways for Scaling Up Digital Education and Global Collaboration”, addressing the impact of generative Artificial Intelligence on organisations’ creative and innovative capacities;
• “Prosper and Innovate: Digital Empowerment for Environmental Coexistence”, discussing legal and technological responses to the climate and environmental emergency;
• “Climate Integrity: Protecting Ecosystems, Protecting the Truth”, focusing on how disinformation undermines environmental action and public trust in science;
• “One Health and the Global Climate Challenge: Convergence between Climate, Health and Biodiversity”, bringing together international leaders, scientists, policymakers, and civil society representatives to explore the close interconnections between climate change and human, animal, and environmental health;
• “Climate Justice & Ambitious Corporate Action: A Tale on Responsibility”, exploring policy and corporate actions aligned with science as key components for ensuring climate justice;
• “From Heritage to Net-Zero: Decarbonising Large and Historic Campuses”, addressing the decarbonisation of complex university settings combining centuries-old buildings, laboratories, and large campuses;
• “Just Transition: Digital Solutions, Biodiversity & the Rights of Nature”, featuring experts in environmental law, biodiversity, and Artificial Intelligence, to discuss the principles guiding responsible innovation;
• “Ocean Hub Event”, organized by Durham University.

“By joining this unique international forum of experts, we aim to support decision-makers with the knowledge produced on urgent and cross-cutting challenges such as carbon neutrality, efficient resource management, and the preservation of nature, ecosystems, and biodiversity. In line with our vision, we are committed to ‘addressing the problems that concern everyone, contributing wholeheartedly to sustainable development.’”

The EC2U Alliance and its member universities remain committed to advancing environmental sustainability and implementing resource-efficient management strategies that drive progress toward carbon neutrality, while raising awareness across the academic community on nature and biodiversity. Participation in COP30 further reinforces the Alliance’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, fully aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and with EC2U’s mission.