CEOAS Hosts COP30 Awareness Session: Empowering Students to Drive Climate Action | – UoH Herald

Report on Climate Change Awareness and Policy Engagement in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 The Urgency of Climate Action for Sustainable Development

Climate change represents a significant and immediate threat to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its escalating impacts, including crop failures and widespread flooding, directly undermine progress on several fronts:

• SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Climate-induced agricultural disruptions threaten food security and livelihoods.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Global economic stability is at risk, as evidenced by disaster-related losses approaching 320 billion USD in the past year.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Extreme weather events jeopardize urban infrastructure and community safety.

Addressing these challenges requires robust international cooperation, a cornerstone of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), yet support for climate action continues to face significant constraints.

2.0 Global Policy Response: The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30)

The primary international mechanism for addressing climate change is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which convenes the Conference of the Parties (COP) to foster global climate action. This directly supports the objectives of SDG 13 (Climate Action).

1. Event: The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30).
2. Mandate: To strengthen global climate policies and drive meaningful action to mitigate climate change and its impacts.
3. Host Country: Brazil.
4. Dates: 10 to 21 November 2025.

3.0 Educational Initiative for Climate Policy Awareness

In support of global climate efforts, the Centre for Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS) at the University of Hyderabad organized an awareness session to build local capacity and understanding, aligning with SDG 4 (Quality Education).

• Event: Half-day session on COP30 and climate-related policy issues.
• Date: 14 November 2025.
• Objective: To deepen students’ understanding of global climate issues and encourage their active participation in dialogues crucial for achieving the SDGs.

4.0 Session Proceedings and Key Contributions

The session featured expert insights to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and policy action.

1. Keynote Speaker: Prof. Dr. Donti Narasimha Reddy, an environmental science educator, delivered discussions on climate change and the necessity of effective policy interventions.
2. Event Coordination: The session was coordinated by Dr. Hari Sarvotham and CEOAS faculty, exemplifying an academic partnership in furtherance of SDG 17.
3. Core Theme: The discussions emphasized how targeted policy can mitigate climate impacts, thereby protecting progress across the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article’s central theme is climate change, its severe impacts, and the urgent need for global action. It directly mentions “climate change,” “climate action,” and international mechanisms like the “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)” and the “Conference of the Parties (COP),” which are at the core of SDG 13.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article highlights an educational event organized by the Centre for Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS) at the University of Hyderabad. The event’s purpose was to “deepen students’ understanding of global climate issues and encourage active participation in climate-related dialogues,” which directly aligns with providing quality education on sustainable development.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article mentions the severe impacts of climate change, such as “widespread flooding” and significant “global disaster losses.” These events directly threaten the safety, resilience, and sustainability of human settlements, which is a key focus of SDG 11.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The text refers to the UNFCCC and the COP as platforms for driving “stronger climate policies and meaningful global action.” This represents a global partnership aimed at addressing the worldwide challenge of climate change, which is the essence of SDG 17.
5. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article explicitly states that “crop failures” are one of the impacts of climate change. This directly threatens food production and security, linking the discussion to the goal of ending hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture.

2. Specific Targets Identified

1. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • The article’s mention of “widespread flooding” and “global disaster losses” underscores the need to build resilience against such climate-related hazards.
2. Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.
   • The half-day session organized by CEOAS is a direct example of this target in action, as its stated aim was to serve as an “awareness initiative” and “deepen students’ understanding of global climate issues.”
3. Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development.
   • The session delivered by Prof. Dr. Donti Narasimha Reddy on “climate change and the vital role of effective policy interventions” is a clear effort to provide learners with the knowledge required to promote sustainable development.
4. Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters.
   • The article quantifies the economic impact of climate-related events by stating that “global disaster losses reaching nearly 320 billion USD last year,” directly relating to the goal of decreasing economic losses from disasters.
5. Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships.
   • The reference to the UNFCCC and COP30, which bring together governments and stakeholders to drive global climate action, exemplifies the kind of global partnership this target promotes.
6. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production… and strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change.
   • The mention of “crop failures” as a consequence of climate change highlights the vulnerability of current food production systems and implies the need for resilient agricultural practices as described in this target.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

1. Indicator 11.5.2: Direct economic loss attributed to disasters in relation to global gross domestic product (GDP).
   • The article provides a specific figure for this indicator by stating, “global disaster losses reaching nearly 320 billion USD last year.” This is a direct measure of economic loss due to disasters.
2. Indicator 13.3.1 / 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in national education policies, curricula, teacher education and student assessment.
   • The article implies progress toward this indicator by describing the “half-day session on 14 November 2025 at the University of Hyderabad” organized by CEOAS. This event is a practical example of integrating education for sustainable development at the tertiary education level.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: herald.uohyd.ac.in