Basque climate change research will be represented at COP31

The Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3) is bringing its transdisciplinary expertise on climate resilience to the summit, which is taking place from 9 to 20 November in Turkey.

The delegation, led by scientific director and Ikerbasque researcher María José Sanz, will address key issues for a just climate transition, such as decarbonisation that reduces social inequalities and public-private financial protection against the climate crisis.

The agenda includes the presentation of a report, sponsored by JPI Climate, which warns of the weakening of the Atlantic current that regulates the European climate.

The Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3) research centre will play a leading role at the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), to be held in Antalya (Turkey) from 9 to 20 November 2026. The delegation, led by scientific director and Ikerbasque researcher María José Sanz, will bring the centre’s transdisciplinary expertise in climate resilience to several official events.

One of the key events on the agenda will take place in the Blue Hall at the United Nations on 10 November, where BC3, in collaboration with Climate Alliance, has organised an official event entitled ‘Just Transition: Empowering Local Governments and Communities’. The session will examine how to channel technical and financial support to local authorities so that decarbonisation can help reduce social inequalities.

The panel will feature Mikel Jauregi Letemendia, Basque Government Minister for Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability, who will present the experience of Basque public policies alongside representatives from European municipalities.

The local dimension will be further explored on 12 November in the panel “Cities in Action: Pathways to Just Climate Adaptation”, focusing on urban solutions to challenges such as flooding and heatwaves, drawing on practical experiences from cities including Madrid, Çankaya and Barcelona.

“At BC3, we provide methodological tools and empirical evidence showing that international climate decisions will only be effective and legitimate if they reflect the realities of local authorities and communities,” highlights María José Sanz.