Conference/Workshop 1: Anselm Rodrigo from the Center for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF)

On Tuesday, March 11, Anselm Rodrigo, PhD in Biology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Professor of Ecology at the UAB and CREAF researcher, came to the Faculty of Political Science and Sociology. He explained the current climate emergency situation at the university, where we are and what we are doing.

  • Can we really talk about a climate emergency at the UAB?

Democratic representatives, such as the Moncloa and the European Parliament, declare a climate emergency in the State. On May 21, 2019, the UAB declares a state of climate emergency. The university’s governing team has agreed to join the declaration of a state of climate emergency, supporting the initiative of the UAB Ecological Assembly, which has written an open letter addressed to the entire University. In addition, the UAB dedicated the 2019-2020 academic year to the issue of climate change, starring in the festa major and other institutional activities.

  • Can we talk about climate emergency from a scientific perspective?

The increase in the concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere over the last 800,000 years does not seem to follow a natural cycle. Since life has existed on Earth, these levels of CO₂ have never been reached, and the vast majority of these emissions come from the combustion of fossil fuels and changes in land use. On the other hand, an increase in global temperatures has been observed with a very clear cause-effect relationship from a statistical point of view, in which greenhouse gases play a fundamental role. The year 2024 was the hottest recorded on a global scale. This global warming has caused a series of varied climate effects, among which extreme phenomena such as cold waves, fires, higher temperatures and torrential rains stand out.

Source: Image taken from the presentation

  • Climate emergency in Catalonia

Climate change in Spain involves a modification of living and farming conditions, representing a danger to agriculture, as indicated by the Köppen classification, a natural global climate classification that identifies five main types of climate. As we can see in the image, in Catalonia arid and desert climates come into play, leaving behind the Mediterranean climate, with the impacts that this entails. It is also estimated that the amount of water in rivers will decrease significantly, with the Mediterranean basin being particularly sensitive to these climate changes.

Comparison Köppen 1971-2000 vs. Köppen 2041-2060

Source: Image taken from the presentation, to consult the study visit this link

Note: Dfc: Boreal climate; Csa and Csb: Mediterranean climate; Cfb: Coean climate; Bsh and BsK: Hot or cold semi-arid or semi-desert climate; Bwh and BwK: Hot or cold arid climates

In addition, it is observed that an increase in the water level of the sea could cause the disappearance of the Ebro delta, a phenomenon identified in the C40 Cities map, which shows the affected cities. When CO₂ is incorporated into the sea, an increase in acidity and a decrease in pH occurs. Although the effects of this phenomenon are not entirely clear, it is expected to affect marine life, since many organisms depend on this balance, with both direct and indirect consequences that leave us uncertain about what the alternative scenario will be.

C40 Cities map with cities affected by sea level rise

Source: Image taken from the presentation

  • The most vulnerable are those who emit the least

The vulnerability of countries to climate change depends both on the climatic conditions that affect each region (such as floods, storms, etc.) and on the systems and regulations they have to manage and recover from these events.

Thus, the map of CO₂ emissions and vulnerability shows that countries with the highest emissions often have resources and policies that allow them to better deal with these phenomena, while countries that emit the least are, in many cases, in a situation of greater vulnerability.

Map of CO2 emissions per capita

Source: Image taken from the presentation

Global average human vulnerability map

Source: Image taken from the presentation

  • Can we do something?

Future scenarios show a picture of a map that performs better at 1.5 degrees compared to 2 degrees. If we act decisively, we can significantly reduce some of the adverse effects of climate change.

To keep the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees, it is essential to reduce global emissions by 45% and complement this reduction by reaching 70% renewable energy.

This goal can be achieved in two ways: by increasing renewable energy generation or by reducing overall energy consumption. It is essential to reduce the total energy used while increasing the proportion of energy from renewable sources.

Globally, emissions come mainly from electricity production, air conditioning and the agricultural sector, among others. In the Catalan context, according to data from the public emissions monitor of Catalonia (324.cat), approximately 30% of emissions by sector derive from transport.

Graph of emissions in Catalonia by sector (2022)

Source: Image taken from the presentation

  • At the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB)

Information about the climate emergency is not easy to find, as not only is there no specific label to identify it, but its location is complicated. If the information is complicated to find, it means it is not important, and it should be requested to be clearly accessible and given more relevance.

The UAB approves a program of actions to achieve climate neutrality by 2030

The UAB has approved an ambitious Climate Policy program to eliminate the use of fossil fuels, reduce the carbon footprint and offset greenhouse gas emissions with the aim of achieving climate neutrality by 2030. We must ensure that this program is implemented and that the set objectives are achieved.

CO2 emissions at the UAB

Graph of CO2 emissions of the UAB according to scope

Source: Image taken from the presentation

Note: Scope 1: direct emissions (natural gas and transport under control, internal bus and own fleet); Scope 2: electricity; Scope 3: mobility to access campus, work trips, waste treatment and water consumption

The emissions related to Scope 3 are the most important to focus on, since private transport as a means of access to the campus is the main cause of CO2 emissions. The UAB’s annual mobility habits surveys show a very complete mapping of the way of accessing the campus, however, in the latter it is not possible to find where people come from. It is not only the responsibility of the users, it is essential to invest in a good public transport network.

We can consume differently and above all less

The most useful thing is to reduce consumption, instead of focusing on reusing or recycling. Several organizations, such as OXFAM, Ecologists in Action or the Opcions Cooperative, offer tools to encourage responsible consumption. It is also necessary to avoid single-use packaging, as it can cause a rebound effect, as seen with the cups used in coffee machines.

As for the university, it is important to question what is being done in this area. For example, if it is understood that consuming more vegetables can reduce CO₂ emissions, it would be appropriate for vegetarian menus to be more present on campus. However, the implementation of this measure is complicated: if measures such as guaranteed labor rights and health regulations are required to receive concessions, why is it legal to give them if there is no intention of reducing emissions? If it were more affordable and easy to do, they would have already been implemented, but the current situation poses several obstacles.

The UAB is currently developing the food sustainability project “Recooperem” aimed at reducing food waste; it is proposed that what is left over from the faculties be allocated to a cooperative for reuse. It would also be convenient to request information about the origin of products and promote local consumption.

On the other hand, notable improvements have been made such as the switch to LED lighting and the improvement of thermal insulation, as well as the intention to replace the gas boilers, achieving a good result. Renewable energies on campus currently represent 4%, a minimum amount but better than nothing, and an increase in the installation of solar panels, the use of biomass and a general decrease in consumption are expected.

  • What can we do?

Organizing and actively participating are key to driving change. It is essential to establish and use student participation systems, such as the UAB Ecological Assembly, to put this issue on the university’s daily agenda.

There are many ways to organize; for example, the End Fossil occupations served as a catalyst to develop an optional subject model for all degrees, although it is currently stagnant, that addressed the ecosocial crisis. Courses like the one we are carrying out are necessary to organize ourselves and present proposals for improvement to demand the necessary measures to address the climate emergency situation at the university.