EVENT RECAP: Resolving Climate Change internationally beyond the UNFCCC: Santa Marta

On October 12, 2026, SAIS Europe welcomed Frans Timmermans, Former Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and EU Climate Chief, and Valeria Zanini, Policy Advisor on Climate Diplomacy, for a discussion on the future of international climate cooperation within the UNFCCC and beyond. This conversation, moderated by Professor Nina Hall was the concluding event of the Festival of Ecological Imagination, organised by Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe, The University of Bologna and Le Serre dei Giardini Margherita.

Opening with assessments on the state of climate cooperation through the UNFCCC, Timmermans highlighted the way in which negotiations provide a stage for all countries to a have a global voice as key strength while Zanini lauded the convening power of COP as a plurality of actors across the spectrum of policy, science, and activism come to the same table. Timmermans also reflected on the context in which these negotiations take place, noting that political shifts across the globe and the crises which have "struck the world in the last couple of years have had a negative influence on the momentum of the process." Zanini underscored the challenge of all parties coming to agreement on global targets which often results in "consciously ambiguous" language but asserted that this leaves room for more ambitious commitments to be made through other initiatives beyond the UNFCCC, like Santa Marta.

For both Timmermans and Zanini, this layered system of cooperation holds promise for addressing the gaps in policy ambition and implementation. In contrast to the discussions on targets and funding that occur at COP, Zanini described Santa Marta as a space "oriented to capacity building" between states, centered on discussion of the obstacles and solutions in the transition away from fossil fuels. In addition to this dual approach of setting targets and laying out exactly what needs to be done, Timmermans argued that giving younger generations and the scientific community a more decisive voice in the process can help create the momentum needed for policy action.

Concluding the discussion with a Q&A, Timmermans and Zanini addressed concerns that will influence the future of international climate cooperation, from US-China competition and today's industrial revolution to redefined economic and political relationships between the Global North and Global South. Zanini emphasized the necessity of keeping countries at the negotiating table and encouraged actors in civil society, academia and society at large to continue asking for collective solutions since this collective problem cannot be faced alone. Speaking to the debate on adaptation versus mitigation, Timmermans argued against believing in a silver bullet given the complexity of the challenge and the reality that such issues always require multifaceted answers—a truth that extends to how we should understand the evolving structure of international climate negotiations and the opportunities for action.

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hosted by Professor Nina Hall


The session will discuss the current state of international climate cooperation and the opportunities for advancing climate action beyond the formal UNFCCC process, with a particular focus on how complementary initiatives can help translate multilateral commitments into implementation. Drawing on the Santa Marta process and the transition away from fossil fuels, the session will explore how coalitions of countries and other actors can advance cooperation and delivery while reinforcing, rather than replacing, the UNFCCC framework, and how the COP space itself can evolve to effectively fulfil its role in this changing context.

This event is part of the Festival of Ecological Imagination, organised by Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe, The University of Bologna and Le Serre dei Giardini Margherita. To learn more about the festival, visit the festival website.

FRANS TIMMERMANS
Former Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and EU Climate Chief

Frans Timmermans is one of Europe's most influential contemporary statesmen, whose career has been defined by a deep commitment to the European project, democratic values, and international cooperation. Over more than three decades in public service, he has held some of the most consequential roles in European and global policymaking. As Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for the European Green Deal (2019–2023), he led the European Union's historic effort to become the world's first climate-neutral continent, shaping an ambitious legislative agenda that redefined Europe's economic and environmental future. Prior to this, as First Vice-President of the European Commission (2014–2019), he was entrusted with safeguarding the rule of law and fundamental rights at a time of profound challenge and transformation for the Union. Earlier in his career, Timmermans served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, as well as State Secretary for European Affairs, bringing to these roles a diplomat's sensibility and a firm belief in the power of dialogue, multilateralism, and shared responsibility. His professional path began in diplomacy, with postings in Moscow and work across European institutions, experiences that helped shape his enduring commitment to international cooperation. A gifted communicator and accomplished linguist, he is known for his ability to connect across cultures and audiences, articulating a vision of Europe that is both principled and pragmatic. Frans Timmermans' career reflects a lifelong dedication to public service at the highest level—guided by the conviction that the most pressing challenges of our time can only be addressed through collective action, courage, and leadership.

VALERIA ZANINI
Policy Advisor Climate Diplomacy

Valeria Zanini is a Policy Advisor on Climate Diplomacy at ECCO, the Italian climate and energy think tank. She works on international climate diplomacy, closely following the UNFCCC process and COP negotiations, with a focus on international climate cooperation, the global energy transition, and the evolving role of multilateral and plurilateral cooperation in advancing climate action. Her work focuses in particular on the transition away from fossil fuels and international climate finance. She is also a guest lecturer on climate diplomacy at the University of Milan. She holds a Master's degree in Global Politics and Society and a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy.

If you cannot attend the event in person and wish to watch the session online, please register below: