Staff and students from the University of Aberdeen will be among thousands of delegates attending the COP29 climate summit when it gets underway in Azerbaijan this week.
Attendees from around the world will convene in Baku for two weeks of crucial negotiations, dynamic discussions and global collaboration, all focused on tackling the climate crisis with urgency and ambition.
University delegates including students, as well as academic and professional services staff, will attend the United Nations event both in-person and online.
Travelling to Baku to attend in person is Dr Alfonso Martinez-Felipe from the University’s School of Engineering whose research is focused on leading Aberdeen to become a main player in the energy transition in the UK and internationally.
He will join Dr Mitchell Lennan from the University’s Law School. A long-time COP attendee, he specialises in research exploring human rights implications of climate change impacts on oceans.
Joining the climate conference online will be Head of Sustainability Fraser Lovie; Rose Lyne, Net Zero and Emissions Manager within the University’s Estates & Facilities team; Senior Lecturer Dr Alison Jack from the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition; Dr Weihao Han, Lecturer in finance at the Business School; Dr Rowan Mackay from the School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture; and Dr Bennett Collins from the School of Social Science.
Students will also be represented online with Chiara Boni, a PhD student at the Rowett Institute; and Niamh McAuley, a PhD student at the School of Biological Sciences, both attending for first time. Rufat Mammadov, who recently completed his Engineering Masters at the University, will also join.
Professor David Burslem, who is helping to co-ordinate the University’s involvement in COP29, said: “Research and innovation from the University can contribute to important discussions and negotiations taking place throughout the conference, where we can highlight the best climate-related research outputs from the University on the global stage.
“We also want our staff and students to bring what they learn back to Aberdeen as we continue to work towards the ambitious sustainability commitments in Aberdeen 2040, our long-term vision for the University.
“I hope all those participating in the event enjoy the experience and we look forward to everyone sharing what they have learned within our community and beyond.”