An expert group of University of Melbourne researchers spanning several disciplines will attend the United Nations Conferences of the Parties (COP30) to provide advice and guidance to global representatives. COP30's intergovernmental climate negotiations commence today in Belém, Brazil.
University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Emma Johnston said the the University of Melbourne's involvement in COP30 was part of a strategic focus on climate sustainability and ecosystem health.
Professor Johnston said: "Climate change affects every ecosystem and every community in the world and the impacts are long-lasting and severe.
"COP30 brings the world together to share knowledge and drive change. As one of Australia's leading research institutions, we recognise our responsibility to be part of the global effort toward a more sustainable future for all.
"Our researchers and experts participating this year are contributing their knowledge and expertise to help shape meaningful action around the world."
"At the University of Melbourne, we work closely with governments and policymakers so that our interdisciplinary expertise and research can inform decisions, shape policy, and create real climate action for generations to come."
A number of the delegates will present official side events, intended to inform policymakers on tangible means of progressing climate action in their specialised fields.
The University delegates to the Conference, which begins on 10 November, are:
- Professor Jacqueline Peel, internationally recognised climate law expert, Australian Research Council (ARC) Laureate Fellow in corporate climate accountability, and coordinating lead author on the upcoming Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Seventh Assessment Report
- Mr Arthur Wyns, Melbourne Climate Futures Research Fellow and expert advisor in climate and health policy and adaptation finance
- Ms Roanna McClelland, Laureate program on global corporate climate accountability research fellow
- Professor Rebecca Yang, renewable energy transitions expert in buildings, industries, communities, and urban scales
- Dr Kate Dooley, ARC DECRA Senior Research Fellow, forest governance and climate change expert, and author of the Land Gap report
- Associate Professor Katey Coleman, youth and climate education expert and SWISP Lab co-lead researcher
- Dr Sarah Healy, youth and climate education expert and SWISP Lab co-lead researcher
- Mr Vito Avakumovic, PhD candidate in climate economics
- Masagus Achmad Fathan Mubina, early-career researcher in solar photovoltaic optimisation.
Four additional University researchers will join the negotiations virtually. Professor Robyn Eckersley, Professor Kathryn Bowen, Dr Suzanne Varrall and Professor Forbes McGain are experts in political science, climate health and adaptation, global corporate climate accountability, and climate and health respectively.
Professor Jacqueline Peel said COP30 needs to drive international cooperation to make a positive climate impact, with a strong showing from across business and academia important in demonstrating the depth of support for a multilateral approach.
"Being on the ground at these important negotiations gives researchers real-time access to the representatives and policymakers who have the power to implement the lessons and solutions our work produces," Professor Peel said.
"All of the delegation want to collaborate closely with our counterparts in government to make sure they have the best information and most effective solutions to make a real impact on the climate crisis."
The University's COP30 analysis and on-the-ground activities will be updated on the Melbourne Climate Futures COP30 webpage as the climate conference progresses.
This work supports the University of Melbourne's Impact Accelerator in Climate sustainability and ecosystem health. Learn more about Impact Accelerators: Advancing Research 2030: Excellence for Impact
