Edinburgh Earth Initiative’s Post

🇼🇸 Samoan Academic appointed to #COP29 Scientific Council Leading Samoan and Pacific Islands academic Sala Dr George Carter (Salā Dr George Carter) has been appointed to the COP29 Presidency Scientific Council. He joins an elite group of scientists from around the world who will advise governments at this year's UN Climate talks in Azerbaijan. "It's an absolute privilege to join this prestigious council," he said speaking on ABC's Pacific Beat. "It's a team of scientists who assist in negotiations ... some of us are already embedded in organisations that advise governments. "Our main mission is to put science in the heart of decision-making and policy-making." This is probably the first time a Scientific Council sits directly under the presidency. It's a team of scientists who help advise in the progress of the negotiations. Part of the group are scientists working on adaptation and mitigation, but also those who are advocating for the means of implementation through climate financing. Some are embedded inside these negotiations to advise governments. “I work under Pacific governments, and our main mission is to put science at the heart of decision making, in this case, at international policy making, and through the work from now until next year,” said Sala. “You know, the experiences in Australia and the Pacific are similar, that we have a unique vulnerability in the type of extreme climate events within us, not just at our borders, but within us, from the desert droughts to the sea level rise impacting food supply in Australia, I'm talking about oil and Torres Strait. “It's not just in the scientific reports, but in the lived experience. And this is something that I'm hoping to try and elevate, is a return to the impacts and how climate change has a direct impact on the livelihoods of our people within that regime. “We tend to give that focus to the IPCC or intergovernmental panel, but we don't bring that impact in the negotiations. This is important. No apologies.” Sala feels #Pacific Nations must make the most of the opportunity at COP29 to have their voices heard and he hopes that these voices are backed with sound scientific advice. Source: Samoa Observer (https://lnkd.in/gpjEigFi)

🌍 With today’s kick-off of the #COP29, EUniWell’s new Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) “LIVE COP29: Towards a EUniWell Delegation to COP” is starting as well. This groundbreaking pilot by the #EUniWell Alliance is aiming to equip over 30 Master’s and PhD students with hands-on experience in climate policy and negotiations at COP29. Led by the Università degli Studi di Firenze, the programme includes: 🌱 Online workshops in November-December 2024 covering climate negotiations and discussions. 🌱 Group work to develop policy briefs aligned with COP29’s key themes. 🌱 In-person workshops and a final conference in Florence in February 2025. This initiative, developed within EUniWell’s Arena on Environmental Change and #WellBeing, not only enables students to engage in global climate discussions but also strengthens the influence of #EuropeanUniversity Alliances in sustainable development.  Together, we’re empowering the next generation for climate justice and a greener world. 🔗 Learn more and follow COP29 updates here: https://lnkd.in/eUeKPEpV #EUnited4Wellbeing #HigherEducation #Climate #EnvironmentalChange

Researchers and PhD students from universities and institutes across Sweden gathered in Stockholm for the annual autumn meeting of the Graduate School in Energy Systems. A key highlight of the meeting was the Climate Negotiation Game, where we worked together to explore strategies for reaching the crucial 1.5°C climate goal. Participants represented different interest groups—governments, industries, activists, and more—and engaged in real-time policy negotiations to lower global emissions. It was an intense and thought-provoking exercise, highlighting the complexity of climate action and the importance of collaboration across sectors and disciplines. With about one month to go before COP29 in Baku, where global leaders will discuss the future of climate policy, we had our own discussions here, focused on research-driven solutions and innovative approaches. Chalmers tekniska högskola Göteborgs universitet Kungliga Tekniska högskolan Linköpings universitet Luleå tekniska universitet Lunds universitet Mälardalens universitet RISE Research Institutes of Sweden VTI, Statens väg- och transportforskningsinstitut Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) Uppsala universitet Högskolan Väst Högskolan i Halmstad #ClimateAction #EnergySystems #Sustainability #COP29 #1Point5Degrees #GraduateSchoolInEnergySystems #ResearchForChange #Collaboration

Take a look at the top reasons to attend the THE University Impact Forum: Climate Action on 11-12 September 2024: ❇Strategic timing: With Azerbaijan gearing up to host COP29, the forum is a timely opportunity to align with global climate action efforts. ❇International expertise: Engage with university leaders, policymakers, and industry trailblazers from around the world, offering diverse perspectives on climate change and its impact. ❇Focused content on SDG 13: Participate in panel discussions and data masterclasses specifically curated around SDG 13, ensuring relevant and actionable insights. ❇First-hand knowledge: Gain valuable insights from leading voices in the climate action sector, enhancing your understanding and ability to bolster research outcomes and institutional efforts. ❇Networking opportunities: Expand your network by connecting with colleagues who share a commitment to accelerated climate action, fostering collaboration and shared initiatives. ❇Single-track programme: Benefit from a streamlined programme that ensures comprehensive coverage of how universities can make climate action a core institutional objective. ❇Addressing generational impact: Understand how climate change affects current and future generations, and learn strategies to mitigate these impacts through institutional efforts. The forum will be hosted in partnership with, Azerbaijan State University of Oil and Industry, Sumgayit State University and co-partners Elm və Təhsil Nazirliyi - The Ministry of Science and Education and State Agency for Science and Higher Education. 🎟Our super early bird ticket offer ends tomorrow! Book your place here: https://lnkd.in/eSr_a2ds #THEglobalimpact #timeshighereducation #highereducation #climateaction #climatechange #climateactionimpact #COP29 #sustainability #highered #SDG13 #event

Science is key in addressing unprecedented global challenges, yet a significant gap remains between #science and #policy. 💡 More than 70% of climate research today remains locked behind paywalls. ❌🌎 Scientific insights are underutilized in decision-making, delaying decisive action. There are two obstacles causing this: lack of access to scientific results and low trust in science. Frontiers and the Frontiers Research Foundation together with UN Climate Change Global Innovation Hub host a panel session: Bridging the Gap: The Role of Science and Policy in addressing Global Challenges at COP29 Azerbaijan. 🗓️ Wednesday, 13 November, 17:00 - 17:45 AZT (14:00 - 14:45 CET) 📍 Buta - Special Events Room, Blue Zone Panelists: Salvatore Arico CEO, International Science Council Marcelo Mena, CEO, Global Methane Hub Laia Barbarà, Head, Climate Strategy, World Economic Forum Jason Rohr, PhD, University of Notre Dame; International Champion, Frontiers Planet Prize Prof. Dr. Phoebe Koundouri, Athens University of Economics and Business; Chair, United Nations SDSN Global Climate Hub; Chief Editor, Frontiers in Environmental Economics Moderator: Stephan Kuster, Head of External Affairs, Frontiers 🌎 We will showcase the #OpenScienceCharter launched at COP28, calling for broader access to knowledge: https://lnkd.in/dECimVwg #COP29 #COP29Azerbaijan #ClimateScience #TrustInScience #OpenScience #UGIH

🌍✨At the heart of #COP29, the Climate Finance COP, we’re hosting a great panel of experts across Science, Policy, Governance, and Industry! ✨🌍 We’ll be diving into bridging the gap between #science and #policy to tackle the climate crisis head-on. This discussion is part of our ongoing commitment to foster impactful dialogues, with insights from #PolicyLabs, Frontiers in Science and Frontiers Planet Prize. 🚀 Key Topics: 🔹 Trust in Science 🔹The power of Open Science and the Open Science Charter 🔹  Transformational Science to address global challenges 🔹  Future of COP Bringing together some of the brightest minds Marcelo Mena, Laia Barbarà, Jason Rohr, PhD, Prof. Dr. Phoebe Koundouri, Stephan Kuster, Salvatore Arico, it’s been a privilege to curate a conversation that matters now more than ever. 🌍💚 #ClimateAction #SustainableFuture COP29 Azerbaijan

🌍 Young people are our future, but are they given a real chance to shape it? 🌱 New research reveals that while young people can participate in UN climate conferences, only a few actually get the opportunity. Economic barriers, bureaucracy, limited representation and age make it difficult for young people to attend – and even harder to influence decision-making. “This points to a democratic problem. Young people aren’t given the same chance to influence, even though they’ll be affected by these decisions for a long time to come,” says Associate Professor Jonathan Josefsson at the Department of Thematic Studies (TEMA) at Linköpings universitet. 👉 How can we ensure young people have a fair seat at the table when the future is being decided? #ClimateChange #Research #Sustainability #UN #COP29

#COP29 🌍 I’ll be starting my week at #COP29Azerbaijan with a deep dive into #climatescience hosted by the International Science Council and Kalrushe Institute of Technology (KIT) on the 12 Nov. Join me and other esteemed scientists for the session, “Climate Science: Key Takeaways for 2024,” where we’ll be discussing the most critical insights that can guide us in making impactful decisions. As we tackle the climate crisis head-on, it’s crucial we stay informed on the latest data and what it means for our future. 📊 Definitely not to be missed. Climate scientist extraordinaire Johan Rockström from the PIK - Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research will be sharing the 10 New Insights in Climate Science 2024. This report highlights some pressing issues—rising temperatures, ecosystem collapse, and risks to maternal and reproductive health. This annual report, launched by a global consortium of scientists, synthesizes cutting-edge research from the past 18 months to shape climate action at COP29 and beyond. 🔗Link to report: https://lnkd.in/gzQKPuyR 💡 If you’re a policymaker, scientist, or advocate passionate about understanding the science behind climate action, you won’t want to miss this session. Let’s translate science into impact together—see you there! https://lnkd.in/gmm9kXGg #COP29 #ClimateScience #ClimateAction #Sustainability #10NewInsights Global Young Academy

📢 New EU Commission recommendation for a 2040 EU climate target 📈 The Joint Research Center recently assessed socio-economic impacts, developed #decarbonisation scenarios, investigated land and forest management, analysed raw materials demand, and provided evidence on the cost of inaction. 📉 Its results were incorporated in a Communication of the EU Commission recommending cutting EU net #greenhousegasemissions by 90% by 2040 (compared to 1990 levels), to set the path to climate neutrality in 2050. 💡 The work of the NEVERMORE project fits into this frame. Project partners have been working since 2022 and until 2026 to elaborate a common integrated assessment framework to simulate and evaluate the impacts and risks associated with #climatechange. 5️⃣ With 5 case studies and the direct involvement of their stakeholders, NEVERMORE project contributes to the development of a “climate-proof” EU at local, national, and, eventually, international level. 👉 Come and discover more on our NEVERMORE project Website: https://lnkd.in/dR-d7r4R Read the full Communication here: https://lnkd.in/eCanaJ5K Fondazione Bruno Kessler - FBK | CMCC Foundation - Centro Euro Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici | alda* - European Association for Local Democracy | Energikontor Norr | Instituto de Fomento de la Región de Murcia | NCSR "DEMOKRITOS" | Provincia Autonoma di Trento| RINA | SIMAVI Software Imagination & Vision

🌍 As #COP29 comes to a close, strong winds of frustration are blowing out from Baku... but, amidst the challenges, there’s hope and action coming out from #EUniWell ! While there are still some bittersweet reflections to be had, this collaboration is paving the way for substantial contributions and the development of innovative ideas. 💡 a group of brilliant PhD and masters students are working together to shape impactful policy briefs that address critical challenges #staytuned for updates and join us in shaping a more #sustainable #future! 💪✨ #EUniWell #Sustainability #ResearchToAction #COP29