ABOUT THE EVENT

In-person Program (13-17 April 2026)

Monday, 13th April 2026

09:00-10:30	Welcome and Session 1
10:30-11:00	Coffee Break
11:00-12:30	Session 2
12:30-14:00	Lunch
14:00-15:30	Session 3
15:30-16:00	Coffee Break
16:00-17:00	Session 4

Tuesday, 14th April 2026

09:00-10:30	Session 5
10:30-11:00	Coffee Break
11:00-12:30	Session 6
12:30-14:00	Lunch
14:00-15:30	Session 7 – Part 1
15:30-16:00	Coffee Break
16:00-17:00	Session 7 – Part 2

Wednesday, 15th April 2026

09:00-10:30	Session 8
10:30-11:00	Coffee Break
11:00-12:30	Hands On – Projects Announcement
12:30-14:00	Lunch
14:00-17:00	Social Program
19h30	Social Dinner

Thursday, 16th April 2026

09:30-10:30	Hands-On – Project Development
10:30-11:00	Coffee Break
11:00-12:30	Hands-On – Project Development
12:30-14:00	Lunch
14:00-15:30	Hands-On – Project Development
15:30-16:00	Coffee Break
16:00-17:00	Hands-On – Project Development

Friday, 17th April 2026

09:30-10:30	Hands-On – Project Presentations
10:30-11:00	Coffee Break
11:00-12:30	Hands-On – Project Presentations

Session 1, Monday, 13^th April, 9h00 to 10h30 (Local Time)

Theme: Understanding climate change, factors and agents

Lecturer: Prof. Ana Loures.

Abstract: This session proposes an integrated analysis of climate change as a physical, territorial, and social phenomenon, addressing the main processes that regulate the climate, the factors that have intensified global warming, and the agents involved in its production and transformation. Based on the scientific foundations of the climate system, the relationships between human activities, territorial organisation, development models, and exposure to climate risks will be explored. Particular attention will be given to mitigation and risk reduction strategies, including spatial planning, infrastructure adaptation, ecosystem management, and planning and governance mechanisms. The role of institutions, communities, and individuals in risk prevention, communication, and management will also be discussed. The session aims to promote a critical and applied understanding of climate dynamics, oriented towards the construction of more resilient and sustainable territories.

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Session 2, Monday, 13^th April, 11h00 to 12h30 (Local Time)

Theme: Reducing carbon footprint and storage, promoting energy efficiency

Lecturer: Prof. Maria Isabel Borges.

Abstract: Environmental literacy is essential for building and developing a society that is actively engaged in the sustainability and environmental health of the planet. It involves understanding and interpreting the balance of environmental systems and identifying appropriate actions to maintain, restore, or improve their health. To make this feasible, knowledge and comprehension of environmental concepts, problems, and issues are required (Spínola, H., 2016). Within this broad field, pollution resulting from anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions has received increasing attention. It is therefore crucial to disseminate knowledge regarding CO₂ emissions, capture, utilization, and storage. 

The lecture aims to address the following questions: what carbon capture, utilization, and storage consist of; how these processes relate to bioenergy; and how direct air capture operates. It also offers an overview of the current global status of carbon capture, with reference to the position of the European Union member states. Students will acquire the knowledge necessary to understand how CO₂ concentrations can be mitigated and to assess the European Union’s position on this issue.

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Session 3, Monday, 13^th April, 14h00 to 15h30 (Local Time)

Theme: Investing in sustainability: Applying financial valuation methods to circular economy projects

Lecturer: Prof. Desislava Stoilova

Abstract: The lecture explores how traditional financial valuation methods can be adapted to support investment decisions in circular economy projects. It examines the specific financial characteristics of sustainability-oriented investments, including long-term value creation, resource efficiency, and risk mitigation associated with environmental and social impacts. The session discusses the application of key valuation techniques based on discounted cash flows (DCF), such as net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), profitability index (PI), and payback period (PBP), within the context of circular business models.
Particular attention is given to incorporating non-financial benefits, regulatory factors, and uncertainty into financial assessment frameworks. Through practical examples, the lecture highlights how investors, policymakers, and project managers can better evaluate the economic viability of circular initiatives while aligning financial performance with sustainability objectives.

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Session 4, Tuesday 14^th April, 16h00 to 17h30 (Local Time)

Theme: Economic aspects of climate change: Effects of carbon taxes on EU economic growth

Lecturer: Prof. Stoyan Tanchev

Abstract: The main focus of the lecture is to explain the nature of climate change. The lecture is divided into two parts. The first part examines and explains what climate change is and how it affects global warming. The causes of climate change and global warming are also discussed. The lecture examines how climate change affects countries’ economies and the negative effects of climate change. It also examines the measures and policies taken by European Union member states to tackle climate change. The second part of the lecture presents an empirical study using panel data. It analyses the relationship between carbon tax revenues and economic growth in EU countries. The results of the applied econometric model confirm a relationship between carbon tax revenues and economic growth in EU countries.

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Session 5, Tuesday, 14^th April, 9h00 to 10h30 (Local Time)

Theme: Another view on environmental pollution: globalization and sustainability effects in non-productive industries

Lecturer: Svetlana Polovko-Valtere.

Abstract: This lecture explores different points of view on environmental pollution – it shows that not only is classic industrial pollution dangerous for our green future. We will discuss information, culture, mass media, and tourism, and the lecture highlights specific types of pollution that can have a strong negative effect on the implementation of green policies and a sustainable future.

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Session 6, Tuesday, 14^th April, 11h00 to 12h30 (Local Time)

Theme: Circular economy and waste management – Waste reduction strategies, recycling, and sustainable use of resources

Lecturer: Prof. Kaie Eha.

Abstract:   This lecture introduces the principles of the circular economy and their application in modern waste management. The focus is on waste reduction strategies, including prevention, eco-design, reuse, and responsible consumption, as well as on recycling systems and technologies that enable the recovery of materials and energy from waste streams. The lecture examines how resources can be used more efficiently and sustainably throughout their life cycle, highlighting the environmental, economic, and social benefits of circular approaches compared to linear “take–make–dispose” models. Students will gain an understanding of the roles of policy, innovation, and individual behavior in supporting circular-economy practices and sustainable resource management.

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Session 7, Tuesday, 14^th April, 14h00 to 17h00 (Local Time)

Theme: Carbon markets and climate finance – Mechanisms such as carbon trading, green bonds, and ESG investment

Lecturer: Prof. Kaie Eha.

Abstract: Carbon markets and climate finance play a central role in building a sustainable and green future by directing investment toward climate solutions. This lecture provides a concise introduction to key mechanisms, including carbon trading, green bonds, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing. Students will learn how carbon pricing creates incentives to reduce emissions, how green bonds finance climate-friendly projects, and how ESG criteria are reshaping investment decisions worldwide. Using international examples, the lecture highlights both the opportunities and challenges of using financial markets to tackle climate change. Designed for an intensive international course, the session equips students with the basic tools to understand how finance and climate action are increasingly connected.

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Session 8, Wednesday, 15^th April, 9h00 to 10h30 (Local Time)

Theme: Governance and public policies – Multi-level governance and collaborative governance

Lecturer: Prof. Alla Iļjina.

Abstract: This lecture explores the role of governance and public policies in advancing sustainable development and addressing climate change within the framework of a green, sustainable future. It focuses on multi-level governance, examining how climate and sustainability policies are coordinated and implemented across local, national, regional, and international levels. The
lecture also highlights collaborative governance approaches, emphasizing the importance of cooperation among governments, public institutions, civil society, the private sector, and communities in tackling complex environmental and climate-related challenges. Particular attention is given to policy coherence, stakeholder engagement, and shared responsibility in the design and implementation of effective climate actions. By integrating governance theory with sustainability-oriented examples, the lecture equips students with an understanding of how inclusive and coordinated governance systems can empower societies to shape a greener, more resilient, and climate-conscious future.

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