As a member of the UK delegation to the State of Para, Dr Tariq Umar, Senior Lecturer from the School of Architecture and Environment (UWE Bristol) visited Brazil to mentor Early Career Researchers (ECRs) on biodiversity and climate resilience. This visit (from 9 to 13 August 2025) is part of the Eco Brazil project that aims to bridge biodiversity and climate resilience in Brazilian landscapes through capacity building, knowledge exchange and simulation modelling.
The event brought together more than fifty researchers, selected from different universities from Brazil and the UK. The visit activities took place in the Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA) – Federal University of Para, located in the city of Belem, State of Para.
Invited as a mentor and expert facilitator, Dr Umar guided ECRs from both countries in developing research roadmaps, building methodological capacity in simulation modelling, and fostering international collaboration for biodiversity and climate resilience. He contributed to workshop sessions involving cross-country knowledge exchange, collaborative group-work, and mentorship support for participants in both conceptual and applied research planning.
Dr Umar provided expert guidance during group work and proposal development, promoting capacity building and aiding in the formulation of short- and long-term research agendas. His contributions supported deeper understanding of simulation modelling techniques for ecosystem adaptation, drawing parallels to global best practices and enhancing the workshop’s technical dynamics.
In his presentation, he stated “My research is driven by a simple belief – that sustainable infrastructure should reduce environmental impact while promoting inclusive and equitable practices. The construction sector has a vital role to play in both.”
Demonstrating the link between his research and Eco Brazil, he mentioned that “Brazil’s unique environmental and urban challenges provide a fascinating backdrop for collaboration. Through Eco Brazil, I see many opportunities to exchange knowledge on sustainable construction and inclusive urban planning.”
On future collaborations, he outlined “Brazil’s diverse climate and ecosystems offer a unique living laboratory for climate-resilient, energy-efficient infrastructure research. I’m confident our collaborations here will lead to solutions that work for both our countries.”
His contributions supported deeper understanding of simulation modelling techniques for ecosystem adaptation, drawing parallels to global best practices and enhancing the workshop’s technical dynamics. Engaging with both UK and Brazilian researchers, Dr Umar fostered the emergence of collaborative initiatives – potentially leading to joint publications, funding proposals, and sustained UK-Brazil research ties.
Engaging with both UK and Brazilian researchers, Dr Umar fostered the emergence of collaborative initiatives – potentially leading to joint publications, funding proposals, and sustained UK-Brazil research ties. Dr Umar’s mentorship contributes to lasting outcomes such as enhanced research capacity, establishment of long-term collaborations between UK and Brazilian institutions, and advancement in ecosystem adaptation strategies. These align strongly with Eco Brazil’s objectives to enable ongoing joint research, publications, and socio-environmental impact
The workshop embodies principles of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA)—an approach that uses biodiversity and ecosystem services as climate-resilience tools, integrating community engagement and scientific insight—a global standard in environmental resilience.
Belém’s relevance as the host city is timely—it is advancing climate-adaptation strategies via urban ecosystem initiatives like NBCities (Nature-Based Cities project) that align with the workshop’s climate-resilience objectives. Later in 2025, Belem will welcome the world again as the host city for COP30, placing it at the centre of international climate action discussions.
During the visit, participants also explored the city of Belém, reflecting on its rich historical heritage, observing the ongoing repairs and renovations underway in preparation for COP30, and discussing the potential negative impacts these developments could have on the local population.
Dr Umar’s participation in the Eco Brazil Workshop not only deepened his engagement with both UK and Brazilian researchers but also resulted in the creation of a joint research action plan. He also shared insights from his current research on high-performance computing, which aims to develop a roadmap for inclusive innovation in the environment, health, and the built environment: read the blog to find out more.
Building on the connections established, the teams will work together to develop research proposals and co-author publications that advance sustainability and climate resilience. To minimise environmental impact, future collaborations will continue through online events, ensuring momentum while reducing the project’s carbon footprint.