UiB's recommendations for the EU Climate Target for 2040

The University of Bergen (UiB) underlines the importance of climate action in Europe and worldwide. The university agrees that the EU's proposed 2040 climate target is crucial to maintaining momentum towards achieving the climate goals set for 2030 and 2050. Recognizing that global events like geopolitical conflicts can divert attention from climate change, the university urges maintaining the focus on climate action.

Recommendations for the 2040 Climate Target

To enhance the ambition and effectiveness of the 2040 climate target, UiB suggests several modifications:

1. The updated target should include aviation and shipping.
2. The target should specify the amount of carbon dioxide removal expected from land use and other forms of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR).
3. The target should clarify what definitions of fairness it uses when stating it is "fair and ambitious."

Education, Research, and Innovation

UiB urges the EU Commission to leverage the existing knowledge base when formulating the 2040 targets. However, the university also highlights the need for continued support for research and innovation, which are fundamental to addressing climate change. This support should extend to a broad range of disciplines and interdisciplinary research, including law, social sciences, humanities, and psychology.

UiB emphasizes the importance of high-quality education in driving the green transition. Universities play a crucial role in fostering climate awareness and understanding among citizens, cultivating new skills and competencies, and promoting constructive debates about climate solutions.

Key Research Areas

UiB identifies several research areas that are crucial for climate policy development:

• Climate Research: Continued funding of climate research is vital, with a particular focus on developing an Integrated Ecosystem Prediction System that combines Earth system, Ecosystem, and Social System models.
• Ocean Research: Understanding the ocean and coastal areas is key to combating climate change, preserving marine biodiversity, and addressing marine pollution.
• Energy Research: The transition to renewable energy sources is critical for solving the climate challenge. This transition brings many research and innovation challenges, requiring a holistic approach that addresses technological, environmental, economic, legal, and societal aspects.
• Human Health and Medical Research: Climate change will greatly affect human health, increasing the risk of new pandemics and migration.
• Legal Research: Rules and regulations play a critical role in establishing incentives for climate action. Legal perspectives are crucial for understanding and building systems for climate transition.