In November 2024, Baku, Azerbaijan, hosted delegates from around the world for the 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This event plays a central role in shaping the future of global climate policy. TRANSPATH’s partners from Pensoft Publishers presented the importance of open science and science communication not only for providing access to data and scientific information to decision-makers but also for raising awareness about the latest climate facts and science and preparing society for the measures needed to mitigate the negative consequences of climate change and adapt. The Pensoft team joined the programme of the the Bulgarian Pavilion on 21 November, the day dedicated to Nature at COP29. 

Being present in the so-called Blue Zone, allowed the team to interact face-to-face with hundreds of delegates distribute brochures about the TRANSPATH project along with other materials related to Horizon-funded projects from the transformative change cluster.

Pensoft's talk, "Supporting Climate and Biodiversity Policy Through Open Science and Science Communication," highlighted TRANSPATH as part of a broader narrative that emphasises the vital role of open science and effective communication in tackling climate change and biodiversity challenges. The presentation introduced the TRANSPATH project, BioAgora, RESPIN and CO-OP4CBD as initiatives to develop knowledge-based policy frameworks and illustrated their role in bridging the gap between scientific research and actionable policy. By facilitating collaboration and promoting transparency in scientific endeavors, transformative change projects aim to empower stakeholders to effectively address the interconnected issues of climate change and biodiversity loss. 

As nations confront these pressing challenges, the insights shared at COP29, particularly through initiatives like TRANSPATH, underscore the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in shaping a sustainable future for our planet.