NOVA Sustainability Days 2023 (October 16th and 17th) encompassed two days of knowledge exchange between academia and the community, focusing on contemporary issues like climate transition and housing. During the event, a significant milestone was achieved with the signing of a protocol to outline a carbon-neutral and climate-resilient roadmap for NOVA University Lisbon. Júlia Seixas, Pro-Rector for Sustainability, highlighted academia’s responsibility in addressing sustainability and climate change urgently, proposing to provide foundations for reducing carbon footprints.
The first day featured webinars covering diverse topics, such as sustainability’s value in scientific production. The second day, dedicated to partnerships, showcased examples like Campus Sul, a collaboration impacting southern Portugal’s sustainability. Examples from NOVA’s nine schools were also presented, in the words of the partner institutions, spotlighting effective collaborations.
The final debates focused on fair climate transition and housing. Students engaged in a dialogue with representatives from ADENE, Greenvolt, and Santander, emphasizing the urgency for global ambition and innovation to achieve 2030 objectives. The housing panel, addressing legal and ecological aspects, included insights from students, the Minister of Housing, and the Lisbon City Councillor. The state’s role in solution-building and initiatives like housing cooperatives were discussed.
In summary, the NOVA Sustainability Days embraced education, research, innovation, and sustainability, expanding into housing discussions. The holistic approach underscored the interconnectedness of sustainability across various dimensions, echoing Pro-Rector Júlia Seixas’ sentiment that “Sustainability is like the name of the film: Everything everywhere all at once.”
Click to watch the recordings of the event: 1st day | 2nd day
SDG Target 17.17- Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.