Bringing social sciences and engineering together for climate resilience

During the event, UPT participants hosted an interactive workshop dedicated to local climate action and nature-based solutions (NBS), which served as an excellent opportunity to present the Support Center for Climate Actions UPT (SCCA UPT) ( — a structure established through the ELCA project) to a diverse audience.

The workshop was facilitated by Lect. Dr. Habil. Eng. Rareș Hălbac-Cotoară-Zamfir, director of SCCA UPT and psychologist Cristina Hălbac-Cotoară-Zamfir, both affiliated with UPT – ELCA partner, who guided discussions and collaborative exercises with participants. Together, researchers, practitioners, and representatives of local communities explored innovative ways to integrate NBS into local planning and decision-making.

The workshop clearly demonstrated the added value of social sciences in climate action. Beyond technical innovation, achieving climate resilience requires a deep understanding of local behaviours, risk perception, and community needs.

As a multidisciplinary platform, SGEM 2025 offered an ideal setting to connect environmental engineers with psychologists, sociologists, local governance experts, and sustainability professionals. 

This participation was highly valuable for the development of the Support Center for Climate Action, strengthening its visibility, expanding its network of collaborators, and opening avenues for future partnerships. The insights and ideas generated during the workshop will directly support the Center’s mission of scaling up local climate actions and embedding NBS into regional and European strategies.

The event also confirmed the organizational capacity of UPT’s Support Center for Climate Actions (CSAC) to coordinate high-impact, participatory, and interdisciplinary workshops at European level.

ELCA project continues to demonstrate how local engagement, scientific excellence, and interdisciplinary partnerships can shape scalable solutions for climate resilience across Europe.