From Durham to Bologna; the climate declaration

Hosted by Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice Chancellor & Warden of Durham University, this plenary session will present outcomes, reflections, and actions from the Coimbra Group’s inaugural Climate Symposium. Professor Charlotte Clarke and Professor Daniel Donoghue will also contribute to the presentation, representing the symposium organizing committee, with input from PGT student representative Judith Akoto. The session will explore key highlights and themes arising from the symposium, such as the importance of universities engaging their students on the Coimbra Group’s inaugural Climate and Sustainability Symposium climate issues, as well showcasing the Roadmap which sets out stages for implementation and oversight of the Durham Declaration. For the second part of the session, Professor O’Brien will be joined by Professor Marjo Kaartinen, Rector of the University of Turku and Professor Wilco Hazeleger, Rector of Utrecht University, for a ‘Fireside Chat’ to share their personal reflections from the Climate Symposium.

The Climate Symposium; a recap

The Coimbra Group’s Durham Declaration on Climate and Sustainability was hosted and convened by Durham University from 24^th-26^th March 2025. Now signed by 39 members of the Coimbra Group, this declaration affirms our shared commitment to tackling climate change and placing sustainability at the heart of what we do as universities, setting out seven principals for all members to follow. As part of the programme of events marking the Coimbra Group’s 40^th Anniversary, the symposium brought together one hundred Rectors and senior leaders from universities across the network. The symposium was opened with a keynote speech from leading environmentalist, Dr Tony Juniper (Chair of Natural England) who called for a closing of the gap between knowledge and action with universities playing a huge potential role in drawing together cross-disciplinary research agendas and inspiring the young minds coming through universities.

Further resources

For a visual illustration of the Symposium: Coimbra Symposium - Website – Dropbox
Read more about the Durham Declaration: Durham Declaration | Coimbra
Read more about Dr Tony Juniper’s keynote speech: Leading environmentalist opens university climate meeting with stark warning - Durham University.

Read more about reflections on the Symposium from Durham’s Vice Chancellor and Warden, Professor Karen O’Brien Climate change: a message of unity and commitment from Coimbra Group Universities | Coimbra