COP30 climate summit: UQ experts

COP30 is the 30^th annual gathering and marks 10 years since the Paris agreement.

It is a meeting of world leaders, scientists, non-government organisations and civilians to discuss climate priorities and what is needed to limit the global temperature increase.

Australia, which has bid to be the host country for COP31, has pledged to work towards a clean energy transition, further reduce global emissions and unlock investment in clean energy solutions.

The University of Queensland has a range of researchers available to offer expert analysis:
 

UQ Biosustainability Hub

Professor Esteban Marcellin, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Director UQ Biosustainability Hub

Expertise: creating economically viable biological solutions for companies to transition to net zero. Synthetic biology using techniques such as gas fermentation in manufacturing, including food and beverages, biofuels, chemicals and biopharmaceuticals.

Contact: e.marcellin@uq.edu.au
 

Climate Change Network

Professor Justine Bell-James, School of Law, Director Climate Change Network

Expertise: Environmental and climate change law. Her work has had a significant influence on climate law and policy in Australia, including through the inclusion of coastal ecosystems in Australia’s Emissions Reduction Fund framework.

Contact: j.bell-james@law.uq.edu.au
 

Faculty of Business, Economics and Law

Professor Andrew Griffiths, Executive Dean

Expertise: How organisations deal with the impacts of climate change and how executives and employees can transform organisations to better manage sustainability issues. Professor Griffiths can also provide information on how local and global organisations can apply new knowledge.

Contact: a.griffiths@bel.edu.au
 

Professor Belinda Wade, School of Business

Expertise: Organisational progress on climate and sustainability issues with a focus on decarbonisation and organisational climate transitions, barriers to further progress, decarbonising actions taken within Australian companies and best practices in climate reporting and management.

Contact: b.wade@business.uq.edu.au
 

Professor John Quiggin, School of Economics

Expertise: A wide range of policy topics related to the economics of climate change and renewable energy.

Contact: j.quiggin@uq.edu.au
 

Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

Professor Matt McDonald, School of Political Science and International Studies

Expertise: International politics of climate change, with a particular focus on the security implications of climate change.

Contact: matt.mcdonald@uq.edu.au
 

Professor Kristen Lyons, School of Social Science

Expertise: Global carbon offset markets including voluntary markets and their human rights issues in Australia, the Pacific and Africa.

Contact: k.lyons3@uq.edu.au
 

Faculty of Science

Professor Paul Gauthier, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation

Expertise: Food sustainability, protected cropping and indoor vertical farming as a long-term solution to feed the world’s populations.

Contact: p.gauthier@uq.edu.au
 

Professor Anthony Richardson, School of the Environment

Expertise: Understanding the impacts of climate change on the ocean and the implications for biodiversity, fisheries, carbon sequestration and the design of marine protected areas.

Contact: ajr@maths.uq.edu.au

Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology

Professor Damien Batstone, Director of Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology

Expertise: Decarbonisation of energy (particularly natural gas and transport fuels), technology development and energy integration.

Contact: d.batstone@uq.edu.au
 

Professor Steven Kenway, Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology

Expertise: Water, energy and climate impacts including emissions related to water production and consumption.

Contact: s.kenway@uq.edu.au
 

Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences

Associate Professor Nina Lansbury, School of Public Health

Expertise: The impacts of climate change on human health, the management and use of water and energy resources with social, environmental and economic considerations, current Coordinating Lead Author on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Contact: n.lansbury@uq.edu.au