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Session Overview Professor Joyeeta Gupta participated in the COP 30 Press Briefing held at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). The briefing featured a series of expert presentations on key climate topics. Here is the full schedule from the event: 2:15-2:30 PM: Anna von der Heydt – Climate tipping points 2:35-2:50 PM: Wouter Peters – Bio-economy, forests and soils 2:55-3:10 PM: Robbert Biesbroek – Global adaptation 3:10-3:30 PM: Break, informal contact 3:30-3:45 PM: Pieter Pauw – Financing and the roadmap 3:50-4:05 PM: Joyeeta Gupta – Phasing out fossil fuels 4:10-4:25 PM: Michel den Elzen – NDCs for 2035 4:25-5:30 PM: Coffee, informal contact Details In her session, “Phasing out fossil fuels,” Professor Joyeeta Gupta outlined the urgent necessity of leaving fossil fuels underground and the pathways to achieving this justly. Key Points from the Briefing: Why Phase Out Fossil Fuels? Fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) are responsible for 70% of global warming and 90% of CO2 emissions. A rapid phase-out is essential to stabilize our climate. To stabilize at 1.5°C, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 50% by 2030 (compared to 2010), and coal use must fall by 90-100% by 2050. Crucially, more than half of the world’s remaining oil and gas must be left in the ground. The Path from COP 28 to COP 30 At COP 28 in 2023, Parties finally agreed to “transition away” (af te bouwen) from fossil fuels. At the upcoming COP 30 in Belém, Brazil, Parties are expected to implement this by creating a roadmap for new climate finance, ending the exploration of new fossil fuels, and ensuring a just transition. This will require financing in the order of $1.3 trillion for developing countries to ensure that affected workers and communities are not negatively impacted. The “Baku to Belem Roadmap” aims to mobilize this funding, while the “Belém Action Mechanism for Just Transition” is expected to ensure equity. Positive Momentum Professor Gupta highlighted several positive signals that momentum is growing: International Law: Three advisory opinions from international courts emphasize that CO2 is a pollutant, 1.5°C is the legally binding goal, and states have an obligation to prevent significant harm to the climate system. State Responsibility: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) advised that a state’s failure to take appropriate measures regarding fossil fuels (including production, permitting exploration, or providing subsidies) can constitute an “internationally wrongful act”. Political Will: The EU Council (Oct 21) decided to promote a global phase-out of fossil fuels , and the World Conservation Congress (Oct 16) voted to support a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty. Global Action: The government of Colombia will host the first international conference on phasing out fossil fuels in April 2026. Challenges and the Need for a Just Approach Despite this momentum, significant challenges remain, including disinformation campaigns , a decline in development finance , rising military expenditures diverting funds , and delay strategies from fossil fuel companies. Professor Gupta stressed that the phase-out must be just: In wealthy nations, renewable energy subsidies must be designed to help those with less financial capacity make the transition. Globally, 78% of remaining fossil fuels are in developing countries. If they are not helped to phase out these fuels, “we all lose”. Conclusion The COP in Belém must decisively address the phase-out of fossil fuels. Time is running out, and while there is significant global support, there are also powerful forces opposing this movement. The hope is that the COP will make a science-based decision.

Session Overview Gupta, J. (2025). Chairperson of attendant of various WEF sessions, World Economic Forum, 20-24 January 2025, Davos Details Joyeeta Gupta, CLIFF PI, was invited to Davos and participated in 14 sessions within the Conference Centre, and in side-events, open and closed meetings. The highlight was the protest message at Arctic Base Camp about the inclusion of science at Davos: With Science we Win.  On climate change, Gupta participated in high level closed door meetings as well as in more open sessions; where the focus was on how we could convert negative messages into positive ones to convince people to take action. At a multilateral session between science and business, the focus was on match making between like minded people. Gupta was match-made with a company focusing on redressing historical emissions. Gupta also chaired a session at Kurdistan House focused on the dilemmas of leaving fossil fuel underground. See: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFFudVfNNDv/?igsh=MTRyZXFkM2s4dTdwZQ%3D%3D; On meeting minimum energy needs Gupta was a panelist at a session where the opportunities and challenges of meeting these needs were discussed. See: https://www.weforum.org/open-forum/event_sessions/open-forum-powering-progress/ Gupta also spoke about the Global Constitution project and the role of nature. See https://www.weforum.org/open-forum/event_sessions/open-forum-making-the-case-for-nature/ On water, Gupta participated in many sessions. Most importantly she presented a keynote on No Business without Water twice at the open area outside the plenary hall. See https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2025/sessions/mapping-solutions-for-natural-habitats-482bc8190d/ At the end of the meeting, some stakeholders reflected on the environmental challenges facing the global  community. Reflections were supported by an inspiring presentation by Yo-Yo Ma.

Session Overview Gupta, J. (2024-73). Lecture and conversation De Koplopers Series, De Balie, 9th December 2024, Amsterdam Details International water policy and the responsibility the Netherlands can take to contribute to livable deltas worldwide with sufficient access to clean water. What is needed for this and what is at stake? Is it time for Waterland Netherlands to commit to a ‘Blue Deal’ to promote global water justice? video

Session Overview Gupta, J. (2024-72). Panelist representing the 10 member group on Earth System Boundaries, ERC Annual Conference, Frontier research within and beyond the planetary boundaries, 5 December 2024, Brussels Details The conference will focus on the key interfaces between the environment, humans, and technology within and beyond the Earth’s planetary boundaries and discuss what frontier research – with a focus on projects funded by the ERC – can offer to address these challenges. The boundaries themselves may be spatial, ecological, biological, physical, geopolitical or mental. 100 participants ca. from ERC Grant winners and EU senior staff, plus the conference was streamed online. The discussion centred mainly on the topic of climate change and relevance for science.

Session Overview Gupta, J. (2024-71). Sharing Our Earth With a Focus on Climate Change, Koninklijke Industrieele Groote Club, 3 December, Amsterdam Details 82 participants ca. primarily from business. Discussion centred on the question “how do we phase out fossils fuels in the Netherlands?”

Session Overview Gupta, J. (2024-69). Post-growth conversations, Pakhuis de Zwijger, 27th November Details The consumption of energy and raw materials increases every year: these are the two fundamental forces that ensure that our economy operates far beyond planetary boundaries. Not surprising, because the economy grows every year and therefore requires more and more energy and raw materials. In order to quickly become sustainable, we need to move towards an economy that can flourish without growth. In essence, this is about the relationship between people, technology and nature. How do we find balance, and what do we prefer? Doesn’t an economy that is focused on continuous growth necessarily go out of balance? This evening, we will imagine what a post-growth society looks like from the perspective of various social actors. Based on this, we will discuss what is necessary and feasible to bring these visions of the future to life. The conversation focused on the following questions: (a) How can we reduce emission democratically, (b) how communicate to people the problem to use less fossil fuels and emissions, (c) given current government, how can we expect change to happen, (d) how to implement the draft of a global constitution. About 150 people were presents including representatives from NGOs, government, municipalities, scientists and general public. video

Session Overview Gupta, J. (2024-68). Keynote: Climate Change and Sharing Our Earth: Towards a Global Constitution, AISSR Harvest Day 2024, 21 November, UVA Details Report: On 21 November, the 11th annual AISSR Harvest Day, organized by the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR), will take place. The Harvest Day is the AISSR’s landmark event where social scientists and relevant organizations come together to discuss the ‘harvest’ of their research. Role: Keynote Speaker

Session Overview Gupta, J. (2024-67). Sharing our Earth: Towards a Global Constitution, Amsterdam Lyceumclub (15th November) Details Report: The climate is becoming unpredictable. We have crossed the “safe and just” boundaries of the earth, we have satisfied the greed of some, but not yet the needs of all. We are at a tipping point that could cause Earth’s systems to become unstable and unable to support human life. We need to hit the reset button. We need a better governance system, we need a global constitution that includes nature, biodiversity and human rights. 42 People. video Role: Lecturer 

Session Overview Gupta, J. (2024-66). Keynote, Climate injustices and living within safe and just boundaries The Economy of the Future Festival in Milan (13th and 14th November), Milan Details Report: 140 people. The ‘right’ energy for change: clean, safe and sustainable Opening by Francesca Gambarini, Journalist L’Economia del Corriere della Sera Talk Joyeeta Gupta, Professor of Environment and Development in the Global South, University of Amsterdam Roundtable Luca Conti, CEO Eon Italia Giuseppe Fiorino, Liquigas Managing Director Alessandro Miuccio, Director of Rekeep North Central Area Moderator Nicola Saldutti, Economy Editor-in-Chief of Corriere della Sera Interview Giovanni Soldini, Sailor Edited by Alessia Cruciani, Journalist of Corriere della Sera. 

Session Overview Gupta, J. (2024-65). Keynote, Climate injustices and living within safe and just boundaries, Hague Climate Week, 11 November Details Role: Keynote Speaker. The opening event will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders from the city, including representatives from the academic and international communities in The Hague. It will explore how efforts made in The Hague connect to COP29 in the context of the city working to become climate neutral, and as the international city of peace and justice. The event will address climate justice, the interconnections between local, national, and international climate action, and European efforts such as the EU Mission ‘100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030′ that the city is a member of.