The University of Exeter made a significant impact at the COP30 climate summit held in Belem, Brazil, showcasing its leading role in climate science and solutions. The event featured a series of initiatives aimed at addressing climate change, including the launch of the Global Carbon Budget, a comprehensive analysis of global carbon emissions and sinks now in its 20th year.
Exeter partnered with various organizations to unveil the Parliamentarians’ Global Guide to Climate Change and Climate Solutions. This guide serves as an essential resource for lawmakers worldwide, providing insights into effective climate policies. Additionally, findings from the second Global Tipping Points Report, released in October, were presented and discussed extensively throughout the conference.
Exeter’s rainforest experts highlighted international collaborations, including projects like AmazonFACE, AmazonSOS, and CSSP Brazil. These initiatives focus on the critical role of tropical forests in carbon storage, biodiversity preservation, and ecosystem services.
Dr Marcos de Oliveira Jr., a member of Exeter’s Nature and Climate Impact Team, participated in several panels and introduced a new tool named ClimaVAR. This innovative tool leverages artificial intelligence to combat climate misinformation effectively.
Creativity and culture were also prominently featured at COP30 through the project titled We Are The Possible: Planet Forest. This initiative, a collaboration between the University of Exeter, the British Council, and the Met Office, engaged over 250 scientists, educators, artists, and youth leaders. It aimed to inspire future generations towards climate action through art, music, and storytelling.
Present at the conference, Stuart Brocklehurst, Exeter’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Business and Innovation and Director of Green Futures Solutions, spoke at 28 events covering topics from climate-resilient business leadership to the launch of the new guide for parliamentarians. He emphasized, “Keeping authoritative science at the heart of discussions on climate policy has never been more important. Exeter’s experts played a key role at COP30, presenting business leaders and policymakers alike with reliable, insightful analysis, making clear the consequences of inaction and providing solutions to pull us back from the most devastating potential scenarios ahead.”
With its extensive contributions to COP30, the University of Exeter showcased its commitment to tackling climate change through innovative research, strategic partnerships, and active engagement with global leaders. The initiatives presented reflect a proactive approach to addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing the world today.
