Raising Climate Ambition on an Orderly, Just, and Equitable Transition away from Fossil Fuels

Promoter: BOGA/European Comission

Synopsis:
This high-level event will build on the collaboration between the European Union (EU) and the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA), showcasing leadership and driving ambition for the global transition away from fossil fuels. With Paragraph 28 of the UEA Consensus emphasizing the need for governments to plan their transitions, the focus now shifts from political signals to actionable steps. Keynotes and panel discussions will explore the political support necessary for 1.5°C-aligned transition pathways and the financing required for just transitions. Speakers will highlight the importance of coordination in reducing fossil fuel demand within this decade, emphasizing strategic analysis and engagement with major producer countries.

Aligned with international efforts at key political milestones, such as the G7, G20, UNFCCC, and World Bank dialogues, this event will also focus on strengthening partnerships with developing countries reliant on oil and gas, supporting their just and competitive transitions. The BOGA Fund and multilateral cooperation will be highlighted as key drivers of progress. The event will bring together stakeholders from BOGA members and partner alliances to advance collective action on the fossil fuel phaseout and just transition financing.

Debt-for-nature swaps leveraging the promotion of nature and biodiversity in the CPLP

Promoter: Ministry of Environment, São Tomé and Príncipe

Synopsis:
Under the slogan ‘Youth and Sustainability,’ Sao Tome and Principe, holding the Pro Tempore Presidency of the CPLP, is committed to promoting actions in favor of sustainable and inclusive development. The ‘debt-for-nature’ concept emerges as an innovative mechanism for financing environmental preservation and mitigating climate change, being the central theme of this side event to COP29 in Baku. The event will bring together the Ministers of Environment of the CPLP to discuss debt-for-nature swaps, allowing for external debt relief while strengthening environmental cooperation. The debate ‘Debt-for-Nature’ aims to consolidate the role of the CPLP in sustainable development, encouraging new models of cooperation and sharing experiences in the fight against climate change.

International Cooperation: Transforming Debt into Sustainability

Promoter: Ministry of Environment and Energy

Synopsis:
Funding the green transition, especially in developing countries, is one of the key challenges that must be addressed in order to tackle climate change. In this talk we will cover Portugal’s partnership with Cape Verde, which is also being extended to São Tomé e Príncipe, based on the conversion of debt into a Climate Fund. Amongst its many advantages, this solution allows Cape Verde to invest in the green transition without increasing its public debt. Examples of projects already underway under this partnership will also be covered.

Collective Action for Climate Change

Promoter: Ministry of Environment and Energy

Synopsis:
This talk will address the collective efforts that are needed, both regionally and globally, in order to have a coherent and effective approach to the challenges of climate change.

Turning the Iberian Peninsula into Europe’s Cleantech Industrial Hub

Promoter: Cleantech for Iberia

Synopsis:
Iberia has the ingredients to become the next cleantech industrial hub: clean energy, a developing hydrogen economy and an existing industrial base. With a six-fold investment increase over five years, the Iberian cleantech ecosystem is now ready to take off. But there are still numerous challenges to overcome by deploying fit-for-purpose investments and leveraging public-private partnerships.

This high-level roundtable will discuss what is needed and what is possible in order to take the Iberian cleantech sector to the next level.

Get Together

Climate Action as a cornerstone for future insurability

Promoter: Fidelidade – Companhia de Seguros S.A.

Synopsis:
Climate action requires strategic and collaborative efforts to address the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events. The insurance sector plays a vital role in granting affordable coverage for industries and individuals, which supports social cohesion. Fidelidade operates across 14 geographies and has launched the Impact Center for Climate Change to address 3 key dimensions: risk awareness, response, and recovery. The Center promotes technical expertise, stakeholder awareness, aiming to enhance climate resilience and influence public policies. Through partnerships with academia, research centers, corporate, regulators, Government entities, Local Authorities, and NGO’s, it fosters knowledge on climate change, biodiversity, and sustainability. This initiative aspires to become a hub for open dialogue, influencing societal and policy shifts towards climate adaptation and mitigation.

The Green Game: Winning with Sustainable Financial Strategies

Promoter: UN Global Compact Network Portugal

Synopsis:
Companies and other entities from the financial sector will discuss the challenges and opportunities for financial institutions, the development of green financial products, and the role of strategic partnerships in promoting sustainability. The Panel will also address market responses to green financial products, including the impact of policies, market acceptance, and emerging trends in sustainable finance, offering insights into how to foster a favorable environment for green investments.

Relevance of Climate Action Funding

Promoter: DGEG – Directorate-General for Energy and Geology

Synopsis:
Climate change is a global and transversal challenge, with the financing component and the adaptation of budgetary processes being decisive, to the requirements of the commitments and goals established by each country towards the energy transition. The transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy requires rethinking the way we carry out our activities and opting for climate-sensitive projects, infrastructures and technologies, to redirect capital flows towards green assets. Climate action funding, in line with the Paris Agreement, has been fundamental to the realisation of Portugal’s climate policy. At COP28, Portugal signed agreements with Cape Verde and São Tomé to convert public debt into climate finance.

This event seeks to address climate finance and debt conversion agreements, publicising the initiatives implemented by those countries and sharing successful projects that could lead to more debt conversions between CPLP countries, thus promoting fair and sustainable development and strengthening international cooperation.

The ESG Reporting Revolution: A New Tune for Sustainability

Promoter: UN Global Compact Network Portugal

Synopsis:
This event features a dynamic Panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities for companies adapting to evolving ESG standards. The keynote will provide a foundational understanding of the current landscape and the need for standardization in ESG reporting to drive greater impact. The Panel will serve as a key forum for business leaders, and sustainability experts to exchange insights on best practices and emerging challenges in corporate sustainability. Topics will include harmonizing reports with global ESG benchmarks and strengthening supply chain performance through continuous monitoring.

Transparency in Portuguese – status of preparation and submission of Biennial Transparency Reports by Lusophone Countries

Promoter: UNDP

Synopsis:
The side event aims at sharing experience by those Lusophone countries more advanced in preparing the 1st BTR, with a view to promoting learning by those that are giving the first steps in transitioning to the ETF.

Climate, Nobody’s Stuff or Common Heritage?

Promoter: CHH – Common Home of Humanity

Synopsis:
Currently under discussion within the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), fostering the deepening of mutual friendship and co-operation between its members, this conversation around the video “Climate, Nobody´s Stuff or Common Heritage?” aims to instigate a debate between member states on their perceptions of the theme ‘Stable Climate as a Common Heritage of Humankind’, with a view to a possible contribution to the climate crisis. It is intended to be a space for discussion between CPLP countries with a view to building a joint strategy within the framework of the article 13 of the Lubango Declaration entitled: ‘Environmental Emergency in the Current Context of Multiple Crises’, at the IX Meeting ff CPLP Environment Ministers (2023).

Get Together

Supply Chain Integrity: Ensuring Human Rights Across Borders

Promoter: UN Global Compact Network Portugal

Synopsis:
As sustainability and human rights become crucial in global business, ensuring responsible practices across supply chains is vital for mitigating reputational and legal risks. This event will explore how companies can uphold human rights in their operations and supply chains. The keynote will highlight the importance of human rights due diligence, focusing on preventing, mitigating, and remedying negative impacts while promoting sustainable development. The Panel will gather experts from businesses and human rights organizations to discuss strategies for integrating human rights into supply chain practices. The event aims to showcase practical approaches to building more ethical and sustainable value chains globally.

Tackling Climate Change: The Electricity Matrix and the Hydropower for the energy transition

Promoter: FIEMG – Federação das Indústrias Estado Minas Gerais, Brazil

Synopsis:
Brazil currently has 11% of its electricity matrix coming from non-renewable sources, but we are in a position to reach 100% of our matrix composed of renewable sources. The event will show that if we replace these non-renewable sources with renewable sources, Brazil will have a 53% reduction in carbon emissions from this sector over the next 26 years and a 20% reduction in the cost of electricity.

Launch of the 2nd Energy Conference for the Development of the CPLP

Promoter: Ministry of Infrastructures and Natural Resources, São Tomé and Príncipe/Lusophone Renewable Energy Association

Synopsis:
São Tomé and Príncipe, which holds the Presidency of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), preceded by the Angolan Presidency, declared in the presentation of the motto Youth and Sustainability in the CPLP , “to encourage the deepening of cooperation in the sectors of youth, energy and sustainability within the CPLP, with a view to supporting access to sustainable, renewable and modern energy for all, as well as promoting the fight against climate change and its impacts.”

The Government of São Tomé and Príncipe, together with the Thematic Energy Commission of the CPLP Consultative Observers, coordinated by the Lusophone Renewable Energy Association (ALER), is organizing the II CPLP Energy for Development Conference, to be held on 27 and 28 May 2025, in Cascais, Portugal. The Cascais City Council, which has demonstrated a strong commitment to energy transition and adaptation to climate change, being among the 100 most sustainable cities in the world, is one of the partners in organizing the II CPLP Energy for Development Conference, hosting the event at the Estoril Congress Centre.

This event at CoP29 aims to launch the 2nd CPLP Energy for Development Conference internationally and to be a platform for reflection on the geostrategic role of the CPLP in energy matters, highlighting cooperation initiatives and Portuguese-speaking partnerships to meet this enormous common challenge of a fair transition. The event will be attended by representatives of the ministries responsible for energy from different Portuguese-speaking countries, giving it greater reach and attractiveness for delegations from different geographies to be present at the Portuguese pavilion.

The 2nd CPLP Energy for Development Conference will be the meeting point for all CPLP government officials, business people and energy experts, where the aim is to promote greater collaboration between all CPLP countries and companies in terms of energy, but also to highlight the energy transition and decarbonisation strategies of the economy of these countries, sharing information, projects and the most advanced technical solutions that each of these countries has to offer.

Communication and Behaviours in Energy Transition Policies

Promoter: ADENE/DGEG/LNEG

Synopsis:
Several countries are implementing decarbonization policies aligned with COP28 outcomes, striving to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, and strengthening international collaboration is vital to reduce emissions. Nevertheless, according to the IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2024, “how consumer choices and government policies play out will have huge consequences for the future of the energy sector and for tackling climate change.”

Therefore, public acceptance of decarbonization strategies is essential for effective policy implementation, and engaging citizens and businesses is crucial to accelerate the energy transition. In this sense, effective communication, transparent planning, and governmental campaigns that encourage behaviour change are vital to mobilize communities. This session will discuss how to incorporate communication, public participation, and behaviour change into energy transition policies, focusing on national factors and concrete initiatives.

Shared Paths: Building Bridges for a Just Transition in the CPLP Community

Promoter: Youth Climate Leaders

Synopsis:
The Panel will examine the concept of just transition and its meaning within the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), with a particular focus on the differing approaches and priorities evident in the UNFCCC’s Just Transition Work Programme negotiations. Delegates from Europe, Latin America and Africa, together with government and civil society representatives, will engage in a discussion on the challenges and priorities specific to their respective regions. The Panel’s objective is to identify common ground and areas of divergence, fostering international collaboration and developing more effective policies for advancing a just transition globally and locally.

Get Together

Regionally and Locally Determined Contributions (RLDC)

Promoter: Get2C

Synopsis:
Regionally and Locally Determined Contributions (RLDC) is an ecosystem inspired by and following a methodology similar to the NDCs (“Nationally Determined Contributions”), which encourages municipalities to commit to an effective reduction in Carbon Emissions, akin to what is carried out by each country.

The creation of this voluntary submission ecosystem for decarbonization commitments is based on the framework developed for the National Roadmap for Carbon Neutrality 2050.

Its goal is to enhance municipal engagement and lead them to implement real actions that reduce their carbon footprint.

Thriving with Nature: Why Biodiversity is a Strategic Business Priority?

Promoter: UN Global Compact Network Portugal

Synopsis:
This event will explore the critical role businesses play in addressing biodiversity issues. A Panel of experts from various sectors will discuss the challenges of regulatory compliance and the practical impact of integrating biodiversity into corporate strategies. The discussion will cover the economic and social benefits of biodiversity preservation, as well as how companies and other organizations can adopt best practices and report their environmental impacts. The event aims to inspire actionable steps for protecting ecosystems and embedding biodiversity as a strategic business priority.

CPLP Climate Observatory (OCC)

Promoter: Energy and Climate Forum

Synopsis:
The purpose of this event is to present the CPLP Climate Observatory Project (OCC), which is being implemented in all the member states of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP).

Through greater co-operation between academia, scientists and political decision-makers, the OCC aims to strengthen the capacity of the 9 CPLP countries to achieve the goals of Sustainable Development Goal 13 – Climate Action and align their strategies with the commitments of the Paris Agreement.

This event is an opportunity to highlight the importance of international co-operation in addressing climate change, as well as to discuss the challenges and opportunities for Portuguese-speaking countries in building a useful and innovative platform to boost more detailed knowledge about the effects of climate change.

Keeping 1.5ºC Alive: The role of strategic partnerships for climate finance

Promoter: Ernest&Young Portugal

Portugal at the Forefront of the Next Generation of Green Talent: Reality or Myth?

Promoter: European Youth Energy Network

Synopsis:
The concepts of green talent and jobs are gaining momentum in international political discussions. Organizations like the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimate over 12 million professionals working in renewable energy, with numbers expected to rise to 38 million by 2030 and 43 million by 2050. Green jobs are no longer exclusive to environmental sectors, now incorporating social equity, environmental management, and governance — the core pillars of ESG.

While Portugal is often viewed as a leader in the green transition, many young professionals face difficulties in finding fulfilling green careers, both at home and abroad.

This debate, organized by the European Youth Energy Network (EYEN), will explore the challenges young people face in this growing sector. Are we ready to live up to Portugal’s green career potential?

Caring for the Common Heritage of Humankind with Biosphere Reserve Restoration

Promoter: CHH – Common Home of Humanity

Synopsis:
Restoring Biosphere reserves through biosphere area’s valorisation, engaging local and regional communities, as well as companies, foundations and public entities, and using a natural capital accountability system is fundamental to leverage a regenerative economic model that cares for a Common Heritage of Humankind. It promotes the building of an innovative Earth Condominium governance model, capable of evaluating, monitoring, managing and valuing the natural capital of a Biosphere Reserve territory at a global scale, making it a living laboratory of pioneering experiments for caring for a Common Heritage for Humankind. This event will bring active and important partners to put Portugal at the center of a global initiative that meets researchers, the communities, companies and institutions for a common goal.

Challenges and Opportunities in the Energy Transition for the Leaders of Today and Tomorrow

Promoter: European Youth Energy Network

Synopsis:
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, describes the climate crisis as the “biggest challenge the world is facing today.” To address this, energy transition is key, with governments, companies, and universities worldwide seeking innovative solutions, though progress remains insufficient. The European Youth Energy Network will host a series of intergenerational dialogues, featuring leaders from different age groups in the energy sector. The event will begin with IRENA’s presentation on their report, “Delivering on the UAE Consensus: Tracking Progress Toward Tripling Renewable Energy Capacity and Doubling Energy Efficiency by 2030”, followed by discussions on synergies between younger and more experienced professionals. The aim is to promote inclusion and debunk sectoral challenges, ensuring no one is left behind in the Energy Transition!

Get Together

Free Day

Climate Journey

Promoter: Get2C

Synopsis:
Viagem pelo Clima puts three teams of four people in competition as they complete a journey from the North to the South of Portugal, in the most sustainable way possible and, most importantly, with the greatest positive impact on communities. The journey is developed through the concept of a game, using a fictional currency: “Clima” (with 5 vectors: CO2, water, time, money, and social impact). It leverages technological tools and includes several engagement moments throughout the journey, creating positive impacts on the communities while conveying the message that our daily choices have the power to influence the planet’s future. It highlights that the path to decarbonization and carbon neutrality is possible, necessary, and inevitable, and that everyone (people of all ages, municipalities, companies, society) has a role to play through collective and individual climate action, leaving no one behind.

Youth Voices: From Local Climate Action to Global Impact

Promoter: ANP|WWF

Synopsis:
Cities account for 70% of global CO2 emissions and are at the forefront of climate impacts. As economic drivers and home to over 50% of the world’s population, they play a crucial role in accelerating climate action across all levels. In cities and beyond them, youth are central to building a climate and nature-positive future, not only as a group highly impacted by climate change but also for their capacity to mobilize and innovate. This event will showcase and discuss youth engagement and advocacy for climate action through a Panel featuring local, national, and international experiences of projects working to foster youth climate engagement and youth-led climate advocacy initiatives.

Reduction of GHG emissions in the Healthcare Systems: Portugal and UK

Promoter: Portuguese Council for Health and the Environment

Synopsis:
The healthcare sector accounts for 4.4% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at a global level. Like other sectors, health must implement mitigation actions to reduce GHG emissions and adaptation actions to climate change. Reducing these GHG emissions requires a national strategy and measures such as creating environmental sustainability services in hospitals, updating outdated laws, incorporating environmental sustainability criteria in procurement, developing and implementing guidelines across all sectors, opting for renewable energy, electric transport, and LED lighting, and setting clear decarbonization goals.

This session will approach the strategies to reduce the GHG emissions of the healthcare sector in Portugal and the UK and the responsibility of healthcare professionals to contribute to this objective.

Cultivating Leaders: Shaping Youth Leadership for Climate Careers

Promoter: Youth Climate Leaders

Synopsis:
It is evident that the impacts and challenges of climate change are disproportionately affecting various vulnerable groups in society, including children and young people. Building a more resilient and sustainable society requires the input of a diverse range of sectors and their respective perspectives. It is therefore vital to ensure the creation of cross-sector opportunities with a focus on innovation and leadership training in order to facilitate climate action. In this context, the objective of this Panel is to explore the demands, competencies and opportunities in climate careers, with the aim of empowering current and future youth leadership to address the emerging challenges of the just transition to a low-carbon economy.

Shared tomorrow: intergenerational justice and climate action

Promoter: ZERO – Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável

Prioritising climate action on the higher education agenda

Promoter: CNADS/NOVA University Lisbon

Synopsis:
Higher Education Institutions (HEI) are hubs of knowledge and innovation, with the mission of training and inspiring new generations of professionals to tackle and solve the climate crisis. Universities should be the forefront flag to lead global action to limit climate change, namely by taking each student as a change maker. In 2020, around 40 percent of the global population have attained some kind of tertiary education. The event will focus on the HEI’s role on delivering adequate education for climate change action and solutions, transversally to all disciplines, from engineering to life sciences and medicine, law and economics to social sciences. The aim is to discuss and share visions and experiences on commited leadership with the climate agenda, transformative education programs and students’ impact.

Law and Climate: Will Legislation Save the Planet?/The Role of Law in Climate Action: Will It Save the Earth?/Saving the Planet Through Legislation: Is It Possible

Promoter: Ministry of Climate, Estonia

Synopsis:
During the side event, we intend to focus on the practical implementation of climate laws by different countries, examining both their approaches and the actions they’ve taken. Our goal is to investigate how these laws have been put into practice, along with the concrete measures adopted. Furthermore, we plan to showcase various countries’ achievements and successes, while also addressing the technical and financial obstacles they have encountered in enforcing climate legislation. Gaining insights into the political and economic factors that influence the enforcement process will be particularly valuable. Additionally, we aim to exchange ideas on how civil society initiatives, such as litigation, have contributed to encouraging countries to meet to their climate commitments.

Get Together

National Strategies for Food System Transformation: Insights from the Great Food Puzzle for Portugal

Promoter: ANP|WWF

Synopsis:
Food systems have a significant global impact, worsening the climate and biodiversity crises. In September 2024, WWF launched “The Great Food Puzzle” report, emphasizing the importance of location-specific approaches to transform food systems within planetary boundaries. The report breaks down the complexities of the global food system and highlights local solutions with the greatest potential. On the day dedicated to Food, the event will present the report’s key findings, focusing on Portugal, followed by a roundtable discussion. Government representatives, municipalities with best practices, and national parliament members will explore ways to accelerate the transition of food systems in Portugal and address international commitments.

Building Water Resilience to Achive long-term Sustainability

Promoter: UN Global Compact Network Portugal

Synopsis:
This event will explore the crucial role of water in ensuring the long-term sustainability of businesses and communities. The keynote will highlight how effective water management can enhance organizational resilience, support business operations, and generate economic value in the face of climate challenges. A Panel of companies from various sectors will share innovative water management practices, including the use of technology to optimize water efficiency and reduce waste. The discussion will also cover national water management strategies, global sustainable water management principles, and the importance of cross-sector collaboration. The event aims to inspire actionable strategies for ensuring water resilience and promoting universal access to clean water and sanitation.

Water: a priority in climate action. Resilience, Efficiency, and Innovation in the Águas de Portugal Group

Promoter: AdP – Águas de Portugal Group

Synopsis:
Climate change is one of the world’s greatest challenges, affecting the water sector, particularly through the impact of rising temperatures and heat waves, torrential rains or lack of precipitation and consequent periods of prolonged drought.

The Águas de Portugal Group (AdP) is committed to playing its part in addressing these significant challenges through an adaptation strategy that emphasizes infrastructure resilience, operational efficiency, and innovation. By prioritizing water efficiency and resource management, AdP contributes to strengthening the country’s ability to face climate impacts. Its aim to achieve energy neutrality by 2030, through reduced consumption and increased renewable energy production, highlights its commitment to sustainability.

AdP’s efforts in water reuse and nutrient recovery from treated wastewater support the development of a circular economy in the water sector in Portugal. Central to AdP’s approach is a strong focus on governance, which includes fostering partnerships and cooperation with stakeholders. This collaborative effort is key to enhancing resilience to climate change and ensuring sustainable water management for Portugal.

Water scarcity as a climate risk – Promoting water efficiency and water-energy nexus in the MED region

Promoter: ADENE – Portuguese Energy Agency

Synopsis:
The Mediterranean region faces severe water scarcity, affecting 60% of its population, with 20 million people lacking access to drinking water, particularly in southern and eastern areas. Rapid demographic growth and industrialization have increased demand, while climate change further reduces water supply for human consumption, agriculture, and energy production. Efficiently managing water demand is crucial to ensure availability across all sectors.

This session will focus on the water scarcity as a major climate risk, considering water-energy nexus, monitoring and efficiency measures, emphasizing the need for integrated strategies to manage both resources effectively, reduce the energy sector’s climate vulnerability, and achieve decarbonization goals. National and transnational organizations will discuss projects and methodologies to address climate change impacts, particularly in agriculture and tourism, promoting cooperation for sustainable solutions.

Food security and climate change – the Portuguese AgroClimate App

Promoter: IPMA – Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere

Synopsis:
In this event, the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) will present the new agroclimate bulletin, which runs in a digital app. The development of dedicated climate applications and tools to support socio-economic activities has been one of IPMA’s lines of work over the last few years.

Developing knowledge in agrometeorology/agroclimatology and transfering this knowledge to help agricultural managers mitigate production risks associated with climate variability and change is even more important in a world with a growing population and a changing climate. The Portuguese AgroClimate App is a new concept of agroclimatic bulletin, a more modern interactive digital platform, both in terms of the data sources, updated weather forecasts with a focus in weather events (e.g. hail, heavy rain) that may potentially damage specific crops (e.g. vineyards, cornfields).

Women 4OUR WATER – From Efficiency 2 Adaptation

Promoter: Business as Nature

Synopsis:
Following the launch of the “Women 4 OUR Water – from Portuguese-speaking countries to the World” Declaration by BasN and a group of partners at the United Nations Water Conference in New York in 2023, this event aims to reconnect the network created and to publicize and celebrate the role of Portuguese-speaking women in their relationship with water and in the daily actions and commitments they make for its conservation, protection, access, management, efficient use and regeneration, as well as the challenges of combating drought and adapting to climate change.
It is in line with the COP Presidency’s intention to mainstream gender equality and youth empowerment in all thematic days and initiatives.

Friends of Ocean

Promoter: Ocean Conservancy and Oceano Azul Foundation

Enable Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning for an Enhanced Ambition

Promoter: IMT, I.P. – Institute for Mobility and Transport

How to triangulate ocean – climate – biodiversity action: UNOC3 as a turning point on ocean governance

Promoter: Oceano Azul Foundation

AfroSmartSpot@Principe Island: Soft mobility as mitigation measure concept in SIDS

Promoter: Efrican

Synopsis:
In the Autonomous Region of Príncipe, an outermost region with an intangible wealth of natural resources, the transport sector contributed 11% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2018, with a projected increase by 2050, according to the Roadmap for Carbon Sustainability of Principe Island. The promotion of electric mobility has been identified as one of the key measures to mitigate GHG emissions.

The AfroSmartSpot@PrincipeIsland pilot project aims to implement an electric mobility solution, focusing on reducing GHG emissions. Additionally, it promotes improved air quality, reduced dependence on fossil fuels, healthier lifestyles, and capacity building for sustainable mobility.
The event will present the project, highlighting the importance of defining strategic guidelines to combat climate change.

Blue Azores: Creating the largest fully and highly protected MPA network in the North Atlantic

Promoter: Regional Government of Azores/Oceano Azul Foundation

Synopsis:
This event aims to present the approval (scheduled to be determined in early October) of the Azores Marine Protected Areas Network (RAMPA) and will celebrate a globally significant milestone in the Azorean, Portuguese, and European commitment to marine conservation and restoration. With nearly 1 million km² of maritime territory forming approximately 55% of Portugal’s Exclusive Economic Zone, the Azores Sea is recognized not just for its biodiversity but also for its potential for socioeconomic growth. As an outermost region with unique challenges, the Azores has invested in protecting its marine ecosystems while promoting innovation within the blue economy. This event will highlight the ambitious goal to protect 30% of the Azorean Sea by 2030 through the completion of the revised Azores Marine Park, largely contributing to the 30×30 international commitment.
The creation of large Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is vital in the fight against climate change, as healthy marine ecosystems play an essential role in carbon sequestration, preserving vital habitats, and restoring biodiversity thus contributing to ecosystem resilience. As such, the Azores Marine Protected Areas Network (RAMPA) not only serves to protect and restore biodiversity but also to effectively mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Additionally, the event will emphasize the program’s collaborative approach, showcasing stakeholder engagement and scientific research that informed the legislative proposal for the Azores Marine Park. Speakers will discuss the critical importance of conservation efforts and the regulatory framework needed to safeguard marine biodiversity, thereby ensuring a thriving ocean that supports both environmental and economic prosperity.

Electrifying the future: Accelerating decarbonisation through high-use public vehicles electrification

Promoter: ZERO – Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável

Synopsis:
Mobility is the sector that contributes most to air pollution on a European scale, since it almost exclusively uses fossil fuels and derivatives, while a significant part of the transport of people is carried out by inefficient private vehicles for individual use.

Against this backdrop, policies are urgently needed to promote the rapid reduction of emissions from land mobility, favouring the accelerated electrification of freight transport and collective-use vehicles with high utilisation rates, as a way of discouraging the use of individual road transport and thus contributing to faster progress towards climate neutrality.

The success of these policies depends heavily on robust planning that requires strong involvement from communities and their representative organisations so that the mobility needs of all citizens are taken into account. But how should public policies prioritise the electrification of collective vehicles with the high utilisation rates needed to fully decarbonise their transport systems by 2030? And what are the main challenges preventing rapid electrification?

Implementation and operation of voluntary carbon markets in the European context

Promoter: ADENE – Portuguese Energy Agency

Synopsis:
The credibility and transparency of voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) have been frequently questioned, raising doubts about their effectiveness in mitigating climate change. Recent initiatives like the Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming Regulation (CRCF) from the European Parliament, the Partnership for Market Implementation (PMI) by the World Bank, and the Integrity Council for Voluntary Carbon Markets (ICVCM) aim to create transparent and credible markets. These initiatives are crucial for ensuring the additionality of carbon projects and credits. The success of these efforts relies on collaboration and experience-sharing among various VCMs. This session seeks to facilitate this exchange, discussing best practices and emerging trends, while focusing on how European markets can evolve to effectively tackle global climate challenges.

How to reduce transport emissions by 50%. The quick, reliable and affordable solution

Promoter: Secretary of State, Ministry of Infrastructures and Housing

Synopsis:
This session will bring together a panel of global leaders and experts on sustainable transport to explore the critical intersection of active mobility, public transport, and governance in addressing climate change and promoting sustainable mobility into the future. As cities strive to reduce emissions, improve public health, and enhance quality of life, the role of walking, cycling, and efficient public transit systems has never been more important. The panel will focus on how integrated approaches to mobility and governance can accelerate progress toward more livable, inclusive, and low-carbon cities. The panellists will foster a dynamic conversation on how cities and countries can prioritize active mobility and public transport, supported by strong governance, to meet global climate targets while improving urban life for all.

Pink Circle Cities Network – Local Climate Action

Promoter: Business as Nature

Synopsis:
This event is part of the Pink Circle Cities Network, promoted by Business as Nature, that aims to encourage cities to develop favorable conditions for Entrepreneurship and Female Employment in the area of Circular and Low Carbon Economy – Green Jobs and to integrate the gender perspective in planning for a more sustainable, regenerative and resilient future to climate change. Existing good practices and its results will be discussed and various pilot cities in the project (Portuguese cities, Portuguese-speaking cities and other European cities) will participate and share their experiences.

At the same time, on this themed day, posters illustrating the good practices of each pilot city in the Pink Circle Network will be displayed in the Pavilion.

Get together

Climate: A gender perspective on environmental policies and the involvement of women and girls

Promoter: CIG – Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality

The Role of Sufficiency on the Road to Climate Resilience

Promoter: ZERO – Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável

Synopsis:
Resource extraction and processing are at the centre of today’s biggest crises. Understanding the challenge of accessing resources, but above all questioning and reflecting on how we should use them responsibly, will be key to increase global resilience in a context where access to materials and goods will be increasingly contested. In general, the approach has been limited to the debate on efficiency and the circular economy. It is therefore essential to introduce the concept of sufficiency into the debate, defined by the IPCC as a set of ‘policies, measures and everyday practices that avoid the demand for energy, materials, water and land, while providing human well-being for all within planetary limits’.

Now that we have a new EU political cycle, the most urgent steps to promote the resilience of the European economy and society as a whole through sufficiency need to be debated:
Is there room for the European Commission to propose an EU sufficiency strategy?

Isn’t this a fundamental step at a time when issues such as security, competitiveness and just transition are taking centre stage?

Will we be able to move towards a future climate, energy and materials framework for 2040 that includes binding targets for reducing energy and materials consumption?
And how can we integrate this perspective into the different policies and strategies?

Monitoring the Ocean Climate with Space and Data Science

Promoter: AIR Centre

Synopsis:
Around the Atlantic Basin, particularly in what concerns low-income countries, the ocean is the main source of animal protein and a critical provider of ecosystem services and products. Climate change is impacting the ocean environment, particular on the coastal areas, and Atlantic countries need to use all the tools available (in situ, space-based or AI-based) to follow-up and forecast the impacts that affect the quality of life of coastal communities. Following the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development approved by the UN General Assembly in New York in 2015, there is a need to promote economic prosperity and social development compatible with the preservation of the ocean environment. The AIR Centre is an international organization that joins Atlantic countries and organizations promoting international cooperation and capacity building in the fields of blue economy and marine environment.

European Parliament

Climate-Ocean Nexus: The role of the Ocean in carbon neutrality

Promoter: Secretary of State for Maritime Affairs

Synopsis:
Achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement continues to require collective action as restoring and protecting the health of the Ocean is essential to mitigate the effect of climate change and support Ocean life.

The following topics will be discussed: 1) the contribution of Marine Protected Areas as climate regulators; 2) the potential of natural capital and marine ecosystem services in innovative carbon management solutions and instruments; 3) new solutions and technological innovation in the ability to monitor the Ocean, and contributions to carbon balances and scientific knowledge of the impact of climate change on the marine environment; 4) restoration and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems in carbon capture and management; 5) national advances in production of ocean renewable energy and the importance of carbon neutrality; and 6) the decarbonization of maritime transport and ports.

Local pathways to ocean-based climate action

Promoter: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Synopsis:
This event aims to highlight the importance of the local dimension towards climate action, focusing on Ocean Nature-based solutions to effectively deliver international commitments and goals that are interlinked and can support each other (such as the obligations under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework or the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 14 in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development). We will share best practices on the establishment of joint local Marine Protected Areas and hear on how Ocean science partnerships, between different stakeholders, can also contribute to include and foster the development of local communities. We will also count with the presentation of financial solutions and incentives to pioneer finance products into coastal and ocean Nature-based Solutions (NbS).

Women 4OUR CLIMATE – Reinforce Ambition, Amplify the Impact of Action

Promoter: Business as Nature

Synopsis:
The main objective of this event is to promote a “Global Pact Gender & Climate”, integrating the “Women 4OUR Climate” movement into the political agenda, not only in Portuguese-speaking countries, but also involving consultative observer members of the CPLP.

This objective is fully aligned with the 2 pillars of this COP “Increase the ambition, Enabling Action”, contributing directly to the creation of: “Collaborative Networks for Complementary Action”. It is also intended to create a space for dialogue between different Portuguese-speaking countries and observer member countries of the CPLP, highlighting the importance of an active commitment by women in building climate solutions.

The event will also include the presentation of the winning project of the “School & Neighborhood Sustainability Ambassadors”, an educational program on the environment, sustainability and gender equality for girls and young women between the ages of 13 and 23.

Coastal Zones: Adaptation to Climate Change

Promoter: Ministry of Environment and Energy

Synopsis:
As the UN puts it, the Ocean is Earth’s greatest carbon sink, absorbing excess heat and energy caused by rising carbon emissions. At the same time, the consequences of climate change are particularly evident in the ocean, with the rise of sea levels and increasingly severe meteorological phenomenon posing a real threat to biodiversity, ecosystems and human communities, especially in coastal areas. In this talk we will discuss strategies to adjust to these changes, while fighting them.

Green Growth: actions for a Sustainable Future

Promoter: Ministry of Environment and Energy

Synopsis:
The European Green Deal is more than just a plan to address climate change; it is the EU’s strategy for economic growth, competitiveness, and social development for the coming decades. This talk will explore how the European Green Deal, particularly the Fit-for-55 Package, fits into the global strategy of UNFCCC for climate change.

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