Advancing Climate Adaptation: The ClimEx-PE Project at the HOPE2 conference

On July 18, 2024, the University of Pannonia in Veszprém hosted the second HOPE Sustainability Conference, showcasing its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship to European Union diplomats.

The university's rector, Dr. János Abonyi, welcomed attendees, emphasizing the institution's leadership in sustainability despite its medium size. He credited the university's transformative journey from an industrial past to a future-oriented beacon of sustainability.

Prof. Dr. András Gelencsér, the former rector of University of Pannonia and a distinguished academician, delivered a compelling plenary talk. As a senior researcher for the National Laboratory for Climate Change project, he challenged the prevailing corporate and political narratives on sustainability and environmental protection. He argued that the complex reality of climate change extends beyond carbon emission reduction and highlighted the paradox of relying on fossil fuel industries to develop renewable energy technologies. A spirited dialogue ensued, with diplomats engaging with Prof. Gelencsér's scientific insights. While the path to a sustainable future remains open, the scientific research was lauded for its critical role in shaping informed, science-based policy and planning.

The conference's "Planet in Blue?" session featured a keynote by Dr. Judit Mádl-Szőnyi, who delved into the ClimEx-PE project's groundbreaking research on nature-based solution. Her talk, titled "Groundwater: A Hidden Multiple Resource and Climate Buffer for a Sustainable Future," brought to light the vast, yet often overlooked, subterranean freshwater reserves. She highlighted a dynamic systems approach, developed under the ENeRAG H2020 initiative, which offers a blueprint for harmonizing resource exploitation with scientific governance.

Dr. Mádl-Szőnyi's presentation also explored the ClimEx-PE project's ideas on groundwater's role in mitigating extreme weather events linked to climate change. She presented a model that maps out regions vulnerable to drought and flooding, providing a foundation for hydrological adaptation strategies. The NaBa-MAR® concept was highlighted as well, that is an innovative solution crafted by ELTE researchers within the ClimEx-PE framework. This concept integrates knowledge of groundwater flow systems with managed aquifer recharge (MAR) technology, aiming to restore ecosystems affected by prolonged droughts. The NaBa-MAR® concept is poised to become a European trademark, marking a significant milestone in the project's journey.