ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCES

April 30, 2026

XIV ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE

“Why do environmental policies generate so much controversy?”

Place: AULA MAGNA Universitat de Barcelona
Historic building, Plaça Universitat, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 585 Barcelona
Time: 10:00 - 13:30

This conference will focus on the analysis of the tensions generated by environmental policies in a context of global conflict. It will address socio-ecological confrontations, and delve into the relationship between the climate crisis, agriculture and energy.

To attend the conference, register here:

REGISTRATION

PROGRAM

10:00-10:20 Opening
Joan Guàrdia, rector of the Universitat de Barcelona (UB).
Miguel A. Torres, president of Familia Torres.
Tomàs Molina, meteorologist, PhD in Communication and Information from the UB and host of the conference.

10:20-10:40 From a sectoral environmental policy to the integration of environmental policies into overall policymaking.
Marc Vilahur, environmentalist and director general of Polítiques Ambientales and Medi Natural in the Government of the Generalitat de Catalunya.

10:40-11:00 Keys to understanding environmental conflicts in a context of contested sustainability.
Amaranta Herrero, graduate in Sociology and PhD in Environmental Sciences from the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona (UAB), professor of Sociology at the UB and researcher focused on socio-ecological conflicts, environmental movements and food governance.

11:00-11:15 Open Q&A session with the speakers. Moderator: Tomàs Molina

11:15-11:45 Break (coffee)

11:45-11:55 Food security, energy and the environment: competition for land in the European debate (video).
Ricard Ramon, head of unit responsible for strategy and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the Directorate- General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission.

11:55-12:40 Round table: Agriculture, energy and the environment. Competition or opportunity?
Moderator: Tomàs Molina
Carles Vicente, head of environment at Unió de Pagesos de Catalunya.
José Donoso, CEO of the Unión Nacional Española de Fotovoltaica (UNEF).
Carolina Pérez, regional coordinator of Greenpeace in Catalunya.
Marc Vilahur, director general of Polítiques Ambientales and Medi Natural.

12:40-12:50 Open Q&A

12:50-13:10 The great opportunity.
Cristina Monge, analyst and professor of political science and sociology, focused on the quality of democracy and governance for the ecological transition, and winer of Paidós Prize 2026.

13:10-13:20 Conclusions.
Students of the master’s degree in Specialized Communication at the UB.

13:20-13:30 Closing
Teresa Sauras-Yera, vice-rector for Sostenibilitat and Acció Climàtica at the UB.
Miguel A. Torres, president de Familia Torres.
Tomàs Molina, meteorologist, PhD in Communication and Information from the UB and host of the conference.