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From Durham to Bologna: The Climate Declaration

25 June 2025
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The annual conference of the Coimbra Group of universities has explored how to implement the Group’s recently agreed Durham Declaration on Climate Change.

About the Coimbra Group and the Durham Declaration

Founded in 1985, the Coimbra Group is an association of long-established European multi-disciplinary universities of high international standard and includes ourselves.

The Group met in Durham in March to agree the Durham Declaration, setting out seven principles that all member universities will follow on climate change and sustainability.

Shaping a sustainable future

The annual conference of the Coimbra Group was held in Bologna, Italy, from June 10 to 13 and attended by a Durham delegation including our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Karen O’Brien, and Professor Claire O’Malley, our Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global). The theme of the conference was ‘Forty Years of Impact: Universities and Cities Shaping a Sustainable Future'.

  • During the conference, we delivered a session introduced by Professor O’Brien, who shared her personal reflections from the March meeting. Judith Akoto, an MA Sustainability, Energy and Development student, spoke passionately about the importance of giving students a voice and creating spaces for student contributions and their bold, unfiltered ideas.
  • Professor Daniel Donoghue, from our Department of Geography, presented the Durham Declaration Roadmap, structured around three series of Action Lines: Operational, Strategic and Political.
  • Professor Marjo Kaartinen, Rector of the University of Turku, Finland, reflected on the importance of reminding policymakers of the importance of research, the tools to solve problems of today and tomorrow.

Ludovic Thilly, a member of the Coimbra Group’s Executive Board, concluded the session.

University student
This session has been designed as a bridge between the topic of social responsibility and climate change. Coimbra Group universities are so strong in demonstrating commitment to societal challenges and climate change research. We have all the ingredients to make progress with the shared commitment of this group.
Ludovic Thilly
Coimbra Group Executive Board

Coimbra Group Rectors’ Advisory Board

During the visit to Bologna, our Vice-Chancellor was elected as a new member of the Coimbra Group Rectors’ Advisory Board (RAG), a seven-member group composed of active rectors of member universities. Professor was also re-elected as a member of the Coimbra Group Executive Board which will enhance our ability to influence European policy.

Find out more