A strategic gathering for sustainable transformation across universities, cities and regions
On October 7th, 2025, the University of Angers (France) will host the first EU GREEN Conference of the Parties (COP1), a strategic gathering for collaboration on sustainability and climate action.
This event takes place in a context where European agendas increasingly encourage coordinated action on climate and sustainability:
- The European Green Deal aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, through clean energy, sustainable mobility, biodiversity protection and circular economy models.
- The Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, launched by the European Commission, supporting 112 cities in their transition to climate neutrality by 2030. Among them four alliance partner cities: Angers (France), Gävle (Sweden), Parma (Italy) and Wrocław (Poland).
- The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer a global framework that inspires the EU GREEN alliance in all its missions: education, research, innovation, well-being on campuses and service to society.
Within this context, COP1 represents a concrete step towards aligning campus strategies and territorial actions and promoting a shared vision for sustainable transformation.
A joint initiative led by universities and cities
COP1 will gather up to 100 participants from across the alliance and its local ecosystems.
This includes:
- Local and regional political representatives (mayors, elected officials, urban planners, sustainability officers…) from each partners’ city and region, playing a key role in shaping climate policy, supporting innovation, and implementing sustainable solutions in our communities.
- University leaders (rectors and vice-presidents) aligning institutional strategies with regional and local transitions.
- EU GREEN representatives from WP8 (Healthy and Sustainable Campuses) and WP5 (Engagement), focused on campus sustainability and societal engagement.
- Researchers and sustainability experts, bringing insight and examples of best practice.
- Student Council members, contributing fresh perspectives and representing youth engagement.
By bringing these actors together, the COP aims to reinforce collaboration to set the foundations for long-term partnerships, and to create a common strategy for a more sustainable future in our communities.
Main goals and themes
Throughout the day, participants will take part in roundtables, workshops and networking sessions addressing the following priorities:
- Presenting and exchanging best practices from campuses and cities across the alliance,
- Exploring how universities can act as Living Labs for sustainable innovation and local transformation,
- Discussing the role of education, research and student engagement in achieving climate goals,
- Drafting a common Charter for sustainable university-territory cooperation.
DISCOVER cop1
To help you better understand the overall aims of the Conference of the Parties (COP1), we have prepared a short summary:
This document provides an overview of the event’s objectives and guiding principles, offering valuable context for participants ahead of COP1.
We encourage you to read it to gain a clearer picture of what COP1 seeks to achieve and how you can be part of it.
PROGRAMME
preparation meetings
In the run-up to the Conference of the Parties (COP1), which will take place on 7 October 2025, we are organising two online preparatory and information sessions for our external partners from municipalities and regions.
Each 90-minute session will provide:
Practical information about the event.
A space to share ideas and expectations.
An opportunity to ask questions.
With participants’ consent, the sessions will be recorded and made available on the COP1 website for later viewing.
Looking ahead: COP2 in Gävle, Sweden
This event is the first in a series of two: a second COP will be hosted in 2026 by the University of Gävle, to continue the process and follow up on the commitments across EU GREEN universities, cities and regions.