Expert Meeting Programme: 

Climate Action, Skills and Territorial Cooperation
Local and Cross-Border Responses to Europe’s Transitions

5 March 2026

10:00 – 13:45 CET (09:00–12:45 Lisbon)
     VALORIZA – Portalegre Polytechnic University (Campus)
     Hybrid event | Climate Action Days 2026

    Register here 

10:00 – 10:15 | Opening & European Context

      Welcome and framing of the event

  • Welcome address
    Luís Loures – President, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre
  • Climate Action Days & European Climate Pact Perspective
    Rui Alexandre Castanho – EU Climate Pact Ambassador

10:15 – 11:05 | Panel 1 – Skills for Climate Action and Territorial Transitions

        Upskilling and reskilling as enablers of the green and digital transitions

        Panelists:

  • Hydrogen and Renewable Gases Produced from Waste – One Way to the Transition to Near Zero Emission
    Paulo Brito – Higher Education / Research (Portalegre Polytechnic University)
  • Intermunicipal Cooperation as a Driver for Skills and Climate Action: The Case of Alto Alentejo
    Ana Garrido – CIMAA Representative / Regional authority
  • Rethinking AI through an Environmental Perspective
    Nuno Oliveira (SOFTINSA)

        Moderator: Leonor Silva (Portalegre Polytechnic University)

11:05 – 11:20 | Coffee-Break

11:20 – 12:10 | Panel 2 – Territorial and Cross-Border Cooperation for Climate Action

         From policy frameworks to practical implementation

         Panelists:

  • Green Skills, Cross-Border Cooperation, and the Need for a Coherent European Policy
    Joakim Berg – Cross-border cooperation / Oslo Region European office
  • The Role of Energy and Environment Agencies in Territorial Cooperation – The Example of AREANATejo
    Ana Lacão – Regional development / Areanatejo
  • OTALEX-C as a Cross-Border Cooperation Project – An Applied Experience
    José Martín Gallardo – Applied project or programme (UEx Representative)

         Moderator: Ana Loures (Portalegre Polytechnic University)

12:10 – 13:15 | Interactive Expert Discussion

          From discussion to action: priorities and pathways

  • Moderated open discussion with all speakers and participants
  • Online participants actively included

          Moderator: Chané de Bruyn

13:15 – 13:45 | Wrap-up & Key Messages

        Conclusions and next steps

  • Summary of Key Insights and Recommendations
    Márcia Oliveira
  • Closing remarks
    Rui Alexandre Castanho

For more information contact rui.castanho@ipportalegre.pt