"Warwick is helping to create a resilient, equitable, and sustainable future for all."
Each year, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) holds an international meeting to focus on our climate - the Conference of the Parties, otherwise known as COP. Professor Elena Korosteleva - IGSD Director and Chair of the Sustainability Spotlight - attended COP29 as a member of the Scientific Council, contributing to global discussions on climate governance and sustainable futures, and announcing Warwick’s new initiative for sustainable futures.
In this Q&A, she shares her insights, reflections, and the role Warwick plays in driving change.
What was the key theme of COP29?
Elena: "The urgency of acting collectively was a dominant theme. We’re falling short of meeting key global goals, like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the planet is crossing critical boundaries. Addressing the climate crisis requires a systemic and interconnected approach, not isolated efforts.
Equally important is investing in the next generation of thinkers – those who are conscious of the relationship between humans and the environment – to drive innovative and sustainable solutions."
What’s the biggest challenge in global climate action?
Elena: "A lack of political will and disjointed efforts remain significant barriers. We need unified, inclusive action that values autonomy and collaboration across all stakeholders."
How did your role on the Scientific Council influence the conversation?
Elena: "As part of a global team of 26 scientists, I helped shape the conference’s agenda and declaration while contributing initiatives for consideration.
One key success was the adoption of our proposal to launch an Early Career Researchers (ECR) Training Academy for Sustainable Futures, which focuses on interdisciplinary creative thinking, aiming to design alternative futures. This initiative showcases Warwick’s expertise, with plans to establish place-based centres worldwide, starting in Azerbaijan, to train the next generation of sustainable thinkers, from researchers to local government and civil society leaders."
What was your focus at COP29 on behalf of Warwick?
Elena: "I was proud to represent Warwick’s interdisciplinary community through the Sustainability Spotlight, a key research pillar that brings together more than 2,000 researchers across five major networks. This collective expertise allows us to tackle global challenges with a practical, solution-oriented approach.
At COP29, my focus was on showcasing Warwick’s commitment to sustainable futures by sharing our knowledge and practices with stakeholders at all levels – from local communities to international policymakers. By encouraging collaboration and innovation, we aim to ensure that our research makes a tangible impact, both here in the UK and globally.
I successfully highlighted Warwick’s vision and the Training Academy initiative at the Azerbaijani, Uzbekistani, EU, and Portuguese delegation pavilions. In the latter, I engaged in a focused discussion on the role of higher education in advancing the climate agenda, collaborating with our strategic partners from Monash University and Nova as part of the EUTOPIA consortium."
How can COP29 outcomes improve public engagement with climate issues?
Elena: "We must prioritise education and communication, bringing scientists, policymakers, and civil society together with one strong, collective voice.
What role do universities play in fostering sustainable futures?
Elena: "Universities play a vital role in connecting cutting-edge research with real-world needs, driving innovation and practical solutions to global challenges.
At Warwick, we are committed to making a transformational impact through interdisciplinary research and education. Initiatives like the Training Academy for Sustainable Futures equip early career researchers to address sustainability issues while meeting the needs of diverse communities worldwide.
Through global partnerships, we share expertise and develop solutions that make a lasting impact. From shaping policies to empowering local leaders and training the next generation, Warwick is helping to create a resilient, equitable, and sustainable future for all."
