A 'transformative' experience
From November 11-22, graduate student Gustavo Cardona e Almeida had the opportunity to attend the United Nations Climate Conference, COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, as part of a Boston College delegation traveling under the auspices of AV研究所's Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society.
Almeida鈥攚ho holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in economics and international business from Pontifical Catholic University of Paran谩 in Curitiba, in his native Brazil, and a master鈥檚 in international business management from St. Mary's University in London鈥攊s currently pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in applied economics (MSAE) at AV研究所鈥檚 Woods College of Advancing Studies.
This interview has been lightly edited for space and clarity.
Almeida was able to speak with Brazilian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Manuel Montenegro.
How did you become interested in sustainability and climate affairs?
I developed interest in climate change while I was studying in London. I was there in 2021, the year of the COP26 conference in Glasgow. That was the year that the British parliament was designing many public policies toward the recovery of the country after the COVID-19 disruption. I was impressed by how many times my professors in London mentioned the importance of the "climate agenda" on those policies, and I decided to investigate it further.
So, now, three years later, you were able to attend the U.N. climate conference yourself. What did you think?
Being at COP29 was transformative. I had the opportunity to talk with so many leaders from the climate field from all countries鈥攅specially from Brazil, where COP30 will be held鈥攁nd to understand how my home country is preparing for the next conference.
What experiences did you find most valuable?
Definitely the conversations that I had with so many wonderful people, including AV研究所 alumni Catherine Goldenberg 鈥�16, senior climate policy advisor at the U.S. Department of State, and Senator Markey [U.S. Senator Ed Markey '68, J.D. '72]. It was remarkable to hear about all that is happening from their perspectives.
In particular, you had the opportunity to see leaders from your country at the conference.
"I was fortunate to talk with Minister Herman Benjamin, chief justice of the National High Court of Brazil."
I was able to talk with many leaders from my home country regarding policies and the net zero economy for emerging markets. I want to thank the Brazilian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Manuel Montenegro, for an amazing conversation regarding the international economic relations between the two countries.
I was fortunate to talk with Minister (Justice) Herman Benjamin, chief justice of the National High Court of Brazil and a leading legal mind in environmental law. I also spoke to many senators and business leaders, and learned about the climate change reality in Brazil, and what is necessary to be done in the country in the next few years in order to fight against climate disruptions assertively. Brazil is a country with a vast amount of natural resources, and it is going to be a key player towards the climate transition, so hearing from them gave me hope for a future clean environment.
Your academic credentials center on economics and sustainability. Talk a bit about how the two areas intersect.
Both areas have a deep connection! Economists use the tools of economic science in order to understand how the human actions impact the environment that we live in. At the moment I'm personally interested in how to design econometric models on the consumption of fuels and to better understand the carbon market credit from an economic perspective.
Almeida with fellow AV研究所 COP29 delegates Elizabeth Schwab '25 and Junsoo Chung '26 of the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, standing with U.S. Senator Ed Markey '68, J.D. '72.
Did attending COP29 impact your career aspirations?
I felt a deep call to action at Baku, and I feel that after attending COP29, I must work to take action in my field.
My ultimate aspiration is to work as an economist focusing on climate finance, helping in the designing of policies and solutions for the challenges that we have ahead of us.
So far, you鈥檝e studied in your home country, in Canada, and in the United Kingdom. What brought you to AV研究所?
The main thing that brought me to AV研究所 is that it is a Catholic, Jesuit institution with a strong sense of community. I studied at Jesuit high schools in Brazil and Canada, which gave me a deep foundation both in social justice and the importance of keeping in touch with what is happening in the world. While in high school, I became aware of Jesuit institutions around the globe. I found AV研究所 and fell in love with it; it became my 鈥榙ream school.鈥�
[Now that I鈥檓 here] the thing that I love most about AV研究所 is the sense of community. My professors at Woods are amazing, very helpful in every class that I have. I deeply feel that I'm part of a family here and, honestly, feel at home.