DCC-CR at COP30: advancing coastal resilience through global collaboration

At COP30, DCC-CR and CoastPredict host a side event on empowering coastal communities through science-based resilience and adaptation.

  • Date: 11 NOVEMBER 2025  from 11:30 to 13:00

  • Event location: Italian Pavilion (PV-A08), Blue Zone, Parque da Cidade di Belém, Belém; Brazil - Online event

  • Type: Other

The Decade Collaborative Centre for Coastal Resilience participated in COP30, held in Belém, Brazil, contributing to the global dialogue on climate action and coastal adaptation.

Together with CoastPredict, and with the participation of the CMCC Foundation – Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change as co-organizer, the DCC-CR hosted the side event “Empowering Coastal Communities: science-based solutions for resilience and adaptation.”

The session explored how science-driven approaches can help coastal communities worldwide strengthen their resilience and adapt to a rapidly changing climate. It brought together leading experts, regional representatives, and practitioners to share experiences, identify best practices, and promote collaboration across regions and sectors.

The event’s agenda featured a mix of short presentations and an interactive roundtable discussion:

  • 11:30–11:35 – Science for resilient coasts and a safer future
    Giovanni Coppini, Principal Scientist and Director, CMCC Strategic Programme “Global Coasts as a New Frontier”

  • 11:35–11:50 – Shared ocean, shared challenges, shared solutions: the importance of regional collaboration
    Lorna Inniss, Head of Regional Secretariat, UNESCO-IOC’s Sub-commission for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (IOCARIBE)
    Espen Ronneberg, Senior Advisor, Climate Change Multilateral Agreements, Pacific Community Centre for Ocean Science (PCCOS)
    Wenxi Zhu, Head of Office, UNESCO-IOC Sub-commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) (remote)

  • 11:50–12:35 – Roundtable discussion: Connecting communities and scaling solutions for coastal resilience
    Moderated by Giulia Galluccio, Director, Advanced Training and Education Center (ATEC), CMCC
    Speakers: Giovanni Coppini (CMCC), Ghada El Serafy (Deltares, remote), Lorna Inniss (IOCARIBE), Yvonne Lokko (UNIDO, remote), Freeman Elohor Oluowo (ACCARD), Espen Ronneberg (PCCOS), Janice Trotte-Duhá (INPO), and Wenxi Zhu (WESTPAC, remote).

  • 12:35–13:00 – Audience discussion

The discussions highlighted solutions such as multi-hazard early warning systems, nature-based solutions, and the integration of local and traditional knowledge into adaptation planning — with a focus on the experiences of Small Island Developing States and coastal communities in the Caribbean, Pacific, and Southeast Asia.

By contributing to this global dialogue, the DCC-CR reaffirmed its mission to connect science and society for sustainable coastal development and to foster cooperation across regions and disciplines.

 

Highlights