UPWr signs the ICA declaration on climate neutrality

• Scientists first started warning about the consequences of climate change nearly half a century ago
• Life Sciences in Europe: Research and university education is a key element in moving towards bioeconomy
• The objectives of the declaration are not only related to scientific issues or working alongside the economy, but also shaping pro-ecological attitudes

The declaration signed by representatives from universities such as the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences from Vienna, University of Liège, Ghent University, universities of Zagreb, Leuven, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Aarhus, Mendel University in Brno and other ICA representatives is directly related to the European Green Deal adopted by the European Commission. According to this document, the EU economy should be modern, resource-efficient and competitive by 2050, with zero greenhouse gas emissions. The assumed goals are also to separate economic growth from the consumption of natural resources, under the condition that it cannot take place at the expense of any region of the European Union.

Scientists have been warning us 

The declaration signed in Leuven during the ICA conference stated: "Forty years ago scientists alerted the world to the threat of global heating and climate change, and that climate change was real and already happening. However, society has been too slow to engage and respond to this threat to humanity. The latest IPCC Assessment Reports from 2014, 2018 and 2021 confirmed that human beings are facing an unprecedented threat to their life on Earth from global heating caused by the burning of fossil fuels and by systems of land use. The concentrations and levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have escalated by more than a third since the Industrial Revolution, trapping heat energy in the atmosphere with consequent global temperature rise. Agriculture and food systems have contributed and are still contributing to climate change by a third of the global greenhouse gases emitted by human activity. Thus, actions taken in this next decade, by 2030, will decide the degree to which global mean temperature will rise by 2050. The current rise is already strongly affecting our weather systems, and thus impacting food, water supplies and biodiversity".

Challenge: green economy

According to the signatories of the declaration, the challenge lies in moving from the current fossil fuel economy to a circular, green and sustainable economy.

– The declaration results directly from our research conducted throughout Europe. It’s goals are associated with working alongside the government and social sector, and with educating future staff and promoting ecological attitudes. These are not just empty words, but a deep belief in the responsibility we share for the pace of the transition to a sustainable, circular economy – explains Prof. Anna Chełmońska-Soyta, Vice-Rector of the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, one of the scientists who signed the document created during the ICA meeting in Leuven.

In line with the declaration, the signatories recognize that university education, research and innovation are a key pillar for the transition to a sustainable, zero greenhouse gas emission bioeconomy. They have also made commitments to COP26 leaders.

Objective: good practices and a change of attitude

The objectives of the declaration relate to deepening the understanding of climate change and transformation paths in the curricula of our universities, strengthening research on climate neutrality and sustainable bioeconomies, collaborating with companies and agri-food, biotechnology, marine and forestry sectors. So with all those who implement technologies and products that have an impact on the development of a zero greenhouse gas emission system and identifying solutions and good practices within the campuses of universities so that they lead the change.

As the Vice-Rector for Internationalization of the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences explains, universities have a lot to do – not only in the areas closely related to the economy and scientific research.

– Universities also have a responsibility to shape specific attitudes. They can start by segregating waste on campuses and in dormitories, promoting public transport and bikes instead of cars, using glass packaging, sensitizing and shortening supply chains, etc. And we are making sure that all responsible "green initiatives" initiated by members of our community will be in the spirit of the signed declaration. These are small steps, not spectacular ones, but when taken by entire communities, they become simply effective, and that is what we all want – highlights Prof. Anna Chełmońska-Soyta.

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