Climate Conference participants outside the European Climate Conference Polish Academy of Sciences, Staszic Palace, Warsaw. 15 – 16 May 2023.
The inaugural European Climate Conference that was held in Warsaw between 15-16 May 2023 brought together scientists from 45 European countries to discuss the pressing issue of climate change. At this Conference, the University of Mata was represented by Prof. Charles Galdies and Prof. Ing. Charles Yousif (from the Institutes of Earth Systems and Sustainable Energy, respectively) at which they participated in roundtable discussions and in the final deliberations of the Conference.
In their Warsaw Communique, all scientists present at the two-day Conference emphasize the importance of evidence-based scientific advice as the foundation for both political and personal decision-making regarding climate neutrality. They also highlight the need for scientists to actively engage with their fellow citizens to enhance climate change literacy.
Achieving climate neutrality will require profound transformations across various sectors, including the economy, energy systems, international markets, and global cooperation frameworks. They emphasize the need to align mitigation and adaptation strategies, addressing trade-offs at transnational, national, and regional levels. Furthermore, they emphasize the significance of regional climate change and the global-local relationship, calling for increased attention in these areas.
The statement underscores that no single factor alone can address the challenges posed by climate change. Science, politics, collective civil action, education, and investments, both public and private, must all play their part. However, the window of opportunity for achieving the goals set out in the Paris Agreement is rapidly closing, leaving limited realistic options.
The primary recommendation put forth by the scientists is to accelerate mitigation measures in line with the Paris framework while simultaneously implementing adaptation measures. They suggest utilizing regulation and financial instruments, such as CO2 pricing, to incentivize climate neutrality. These measures should encourage the adoption of green technologies, rigorous reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and efforts to combat environmental pollution and ecosystem degradation, particularly deforestation and biodiversity loss.
The scientists call on Europe and Central Asia to fully leverage their inherent potential in managing climate change. This includes maximizing the utilization of renewable energy sources, fostering connectivity, capitalizing on market economies, harnessing the power of their people, knowledge, and innovation. They urge the continent to embrace these transformative possibilities, thereby accelerating the transition toward a climate-neutral future for Europe and the entire planet.
Further information about this international Climate Conference is available online.