Climate change and biodiversity loss are deeply interconnected challenges that demand joined forces. This Climate and Biodiversity Network Event brought together experts from across disciplines and sectors to explore new pathways for co-creation, collaboration, and innovative solutions for a more climate resilient and biodiverse future.
On 27 November 2025, the Climate and Biodiversity Program hosted a vibrant networking event at the PLNT Innovation Center in Leiden, bringing together researchers from Leiden-Delft-Erasmus universities, industry experts, NGO’s and policymakers. The aim: to foster collaboration across disciplines and sectors, and to build bridges for more co-creational approaches in tackling the intertwined challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.
In his opening address, Prof.dr. Jan Willem Erisman introduced the recent WKR Signal "Bossen en bodems in zwaar weer", signaling how forests and soils absorb less CO2. He emphasized the importance of combining climate and biodiversity policies and that this gathering goes far beyond simply bringing a few disciplines together: 'It is very clear that climate and biodiversity are not separate themes but one interconnected system. Change in one immediately affects the other, and that is exactly why it is so valuable when experts learn to understand each other's way of thinking.' His words set the tone for an afternoon dedicated to transdisciplinary collaboration.
This collaborative spirit was reflected in the diverse group of invited speakers, representing early-career researchers as well as senior experts, highlighting that meaningful progress requires not only interdisciplinarity, but also intergenerational exchange of knowledge.
The programme centered around three interactive breakout sessions:
- A discussion on Future-Proof Biodiverse Cities, to exchange ideas and explore potential collaboration in Leiden, Delft, The Hague, Rotterdam
- A matchmaking session about our Climate and Biodiversity Seed Fund to exchange early-stage research and education ideas and build new connections
- A hands-on session on the Knowledge in Action Grant, presented by the Dutch Climate Research Initiative (KIN)
Participatory activities and roundtable discussions created an atmosphere of curiosity, energy, and genuine motivation to explore new collaborative pathways. Dr. Caroline Bulstra, researcher in Planetary Health at the Erasmus School of Health Policy and Management, described it as: “Inspiring to see what is happening outside your own university and where new possibilities emerge.” Additionally, Bruna San Roman, co-founder of De BosBoerderij, a regenerative farming initiative, echoed this sentiment: “In a very short time I had ten to twenty conversations. A few of them had real potential to grow into collaborations.”
The event was concluded by an inspiring keynote from Prof.dr. Louise Vet, titled “Learning from Nature for Sustainable Development.” She encouraged participants to think in systems, to build resilience through biodiversity, to transition from linear to circular models, and to recognize the sun as a primary energy source, following nature’s own logic. While outlining the current state of climate and biodiversity, she also offered hope, emphasizing the power of co-creation and knowledge exchange across disciplines.
Are you interested in joining the next event or in building a transdisciplinary consortium with support of the LDE Climate & Biodiversity Program? Please reach out to program coordinator Suzanne van den Bosch, s.j.m.van.den.bosch@cml.leidenuniv.nl, and explore how you can contribute to our shared mission toward a more livable planet.
Photos: Mick Witte, M I C K P U N T – Fotografie