On November 18th, 2022, from 12:30 to 13:30 (Egypt local time, CET +1), an hybrid panel debate on “How to close the climate knowledge gaps in the Mediterranean region” will take place at the Mediterranean Pavilion, hosted at the UNFCCC CoP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh.
The Mediterranean Pavilion, located in the COP27 Blue zone, is conceived as a space for all regional actors – public and private, scientific and academic, technical, policymaking, civil society, finance, and business – actively engaged in facing the climate crisis in and around the Mediterranean Sea. It is hosting relevant events and working meetings and provides an exceptional opportunity to highlight climate change-related challenges as well as to illustrate, share, scale up and discuss the advanced initiatives applied and planned in the region.
The panel debate, organised by UNIMED, the Abdelmalek Essaâdi University and the University of Girona, will focus on the active engagement of higher education andresearch institutions in addressing climate change challenges. The panelists, academics and experts from both shores of the Mediterranean, will debate on the existing gaps, actions and strategies the higher education and research sector have to adopt to contribute at reaching a more sustainable Mediterranean region, from the involvement of the students and the improvement of the academic offer to the set-up of international partnerships.
Background
It has been scientifically proven that climate and environmental change is extensively affecting the Mediterranean region and to limit its short, medium and long-term consequences an urgent action is needed.
The academia and the scientific community, per their nature, have to provide the best available science, and viable solutions, adapted to the peculiarities of the region, tackling major issues such as water scarcity, food security, coastal erosion and desertification, and favoring a sustainable management of the natural resources available.
In this framework, filling the climate knowledge gap is a priority. Universities and research centers are required to be at the forefront in terms of capacity building and innovation actions, by developing updated curricula offers, involving their students in environmental-related workshops and initiatives, adopting a collaborative approach and building strategic partnerships to promote the knowledge sharing, also with public and private stakeholders. These measures are key to ensure climate research progress in the region.
Event objectives
- Raising awareness on the importance of education, research and innovation in tackling Mediterranean main environmental and climate priorities
- Presenting some best practices of both capacity building actions at national and regional level and successful partnerships in climate research
- Highlighting the role Universities can play as a “Science-Policy interface” for an efficient local climate action
- Providing recommendations for a more efficient cooperation with the public and private sector
Agenda
Welcoming remarks
Nathalie Clauter, Project Manager, UNIMED – Mediterranean Universities Union (in person)
Attempts to close the climate knowledge gap at Moroccan universities
Khalid R Temsamani, Professor, Université Abdelmalek Essaâdi (in person)
The Lalla Hasnaa Sustainable Coastline Awards: Mobilization and capacity building of universities in favor of a sustainable and climate resilient coastline
Sami El Iklil, Program Manager of Lalla Hasnaa Sustainable Coastline Awards, Seas & Ocean Program, The Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection (in person)
Thinking sustainably while weaving the curriculum
Borhane Mahjoub, European Climate Pact Ambassador and Committee Delegate for Horizon Europe (online)
Reflections on universities and their role in a sustainable future
Daniella Tilbury, Commissioner for Sustainable Development and Future Generations HMGOG and Honorary Fellow of St Catharine’s College, University of Cambridge (online)
Q/A session
Final remarks
The event will be held in Sharm El-Sheikh and online.