Ana Lillebø, a researcher at CESAM and Vice-Rector for Sustainability at the University of Aveiro, took part in the international forum “Navigating a Sustainable Blue Economy: Maritime Transport’s Pathway to Climate Resilience”, organised by the League of Arab States during COP29. In the event, she contributed to the discussion on the carbon tax and the extension of the Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to the maritime sector, an instrument of the European Union’s climate policy framework aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. He also contributed to the discussion on the decarbonization of the sector from an integrated perspective in the territory, having referred to the innovative solution being developed within the scope of the A-AAGORA project, which he coordinates. Funded within the scope of the European Union’s Mission to Restore Oceans and Waters, the solution integrates the decarbonization of maritime-port activity, with the use of greener fuel formulations in the local nautical-tourist sector, and with the large-scale restoration of ecosystems. blue carbon, which, together, contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and, thus, to mitigating the effects of climate change. In the context of large-scale restoration of blue carbon ecosystems, he also referenced existing synergies with other European initiatives, such as the RESTORE4Cs, REWRITE and LIFE SeaGrassRIAwild projects, which involve citizen science actions, as an example of collaboration between stakeholders at the local/regional level for enhancing climate resilience.
The discussion focused on European and international goals set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), with an emphasis on decarbonisation, climate resilience, and innovative solutions capable of establishing the sector as a pillar of a sustainable blue economy. The event underscored the importance of an integrated and collaborative approach, fostering the exchange of experiences between nations and aligning strategies with global objectives.