Climate Action

Climate change has become topical over the past few years and manifests itself in many ways, including rising sea levels and severe weather conditions among others. Scientists, researchers, meteorologists, farmers, and many other stakeholders are relying on historical data contained in archives to understand climate trends across the globe. Although there is limited literature on the contribution of archives to climate change research, the reliance on archival resources to understand the past and anticipate future developments is well recognised. The focus of this seminar was to encourage discussions on how archives can support efforts to address and mitigate the impacts of climate change. 

The concept of a twin transition—combining digital transformation with environmental sustainability—has gained significant traction in recent years. UNCTAD recognised that “green and digital technologies are increasingly becoming intertwined,” while the European Commission stressed that Europe’s digital transition is closely linked to the European Green Deal. Both transitions have been identified as mutually dependent and essential to Europe’s future. The UAE’s climate policy similarly reflects this alignment between digitalisation and environmental sustainability, positioning the nation as a leader in economic diversification and innovation. However, the increasing deployment of digital technologies to achieve climate goals presents several challenges, including financial costs, environmental impact, and concerns related to human rights and digital ethics. This conference panel brought together high-level speakers from academia, industry, and government to examine the key challenges and notable achievements in leveraging digital technologies to tackle the climate crisis. 

The YOUTH COP is an entirely virtual mock negotiation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP), organised by Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi in partnership with the Université Paris Cité and the Universidade Federal do Ceará. The project aims to provide a platform for university students from diverse backgrounds and regions worldwide to:  

1. Develop critical thinking about climate change challenges 
   
   
2. Understand and promote the roles of states and international organisations in shaping global climate policies 
   
   
3. Improve interpersonal skills such as teamwork, compromise, and conflict resolution 

By offering students the opportunity to engage in simulated COP process, the project helps build a more informed and empowered youth community ready to advocate for sustainable solutions on the global stage. 

The conference, organised by Dr. Julia Motte-Baumvol and Prof. Tarin Frota Mont’Alverne, aimed to provide a legal forum for debating the various aspects of the energy transition, including adaptation, mitigation, loss and damages, financing, and global cooperation (North-South and South-South). The conference also examined the commitments made by states at global, regional, national, and local levels—analysing strategies for achieving these goals, the challenges encountered, and potential solutions to ensure a just and equitable multilateral approach. It played a significant role in supporting the UAE’s efforts to establish itself as a global leader in addressing climate change. 

Prof. Mateo Spagnolo Personal Chair, University of Aberdeen  

Prof. Kosmas Pavlopoulos, Professor of Environmental Geomorphology-Geology (Leading as Co-PI)   

A key to addressing long-standing questions about the underlying mechanisms of climate change in the Mediterranean—such as the timing and amplitude of precipitation variability—is the development of a multiproxy record (e.g., pollen, glacial and marine sediment data) that spans multiple glacial–interglacial cycles and is sensitive to regional hydroclimatic changes.  

As mountain glaciers change volume in response to climatic shifts, their former extents record past changes in climate, providing data on how patterns of ice distribution have varied spatially with time. Mapping and dating of past ice margins, documented by terrestrial glaciogenic sediments and landforms, provide valuable information to gain a better understanding of landscape evolution. To compare palaeoglaciers across different geographical settings, the Equilibrium Line Altitude (ELA) serves as a valuable tool. It represents the altitude on a glacier where annual accumulation equals ablation and is primarily influenced by air temperature and precipitation.  

Prof. Kosmas Pavlopoulos, Professor of Environmental Geomorphology-Geology, SUAD (Leading as PI) 

Dubai has emerged as a hub of architectural innovation, with landmark artificial island projects such as Palm Island and The World Islands attracting substantial tourism and real estate investment. Abu Dhabi has followed suit with developments including Yas Island and Al Maryah Island. However, climate change presents a considerable challenge to the long-term viability of these projects. Recognising this, the UAE renamed the Ministry of Water and Environment to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in 2016, signalling a strategic shift in policy to address critical environmental concerns, including a 25% increase in carbon emissions since 1958 and a rise in sea levels from 1.7 mm to 3.2 mm per year. This research proposal focused on the geological and geotechnical challenges associated with artificial islands, with particular attention to the effects of climate change, ocean acidification, and sea level rise on infrastructure sustainability. The project supported PhD student Walid Mekni, under the supervision of Prof. Kosmas Pavlopoulos at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. 

Dr. Proscovia Svard, leading the seminar with Dr. Victor Kabata as a participant, focused on the role of archives in addressing climate change, particularly in relation to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 13), which aims to combat climate change and its impacts. The seminar addressed the growing reliance on historical data from archives by scientists, researchers, and other stakeholders to understand climate trends, despite limited literature on the subject. 

The seminar's objectives included examining how archives can contribute to the development of environmentally friendly practices, discussing methods to promote sound documentation to combat climate change, and exploring ways to enhance collaboration between archival institutions and climate action advocates. Speakers from academia, climate action experts, researchers, policymakers, and activists from the UAE were invited to participate. 

SUAD’s commitment to a greener future was embraced by having the community sign our Sustainability Pledge announced on the day, by the President of the Sustainability Club.

Our spokesperson for sustainability, Dr. Beatriz Garcia, delivered a speech alongside the VC, Prof. Nathalie Martial-Braz, discussing not only the sustainability initiatives the university has undertaken but also SUAD’s exciting plans for the future. These include new projects aimed at reducing waste, enhancing energy efficiency, and increasing community engagement in sustainability efforts.

Learn more about the event.