Conference Title: Co-Designing Decarbonization Pathways in Mediterranean Islands with the CO2 PACMAN Project [abstract]
Carmela Gioia is a Senior manager at the Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences of the University of Siena (Italy), where she contributes to interdisciplinary research on climate neutrality, sustainability transitions, and environmental governance. She graduated in Statistical and Economic Sciences at the University of Siena and she holds a Professional Master's degree in Corporate Communication: Languages, Tools and Technologies.
Her research focuses on participatory approaches to climate action, with particular emphasis on citizen engagement, social acceptance of renewable energy technologies, and stakeholder involvement in sustainable territorial development. Her work explores how governance processes can support the design and implementation of effective decarbonization pathways by integrating scientific evidence, public participation, and policy-making.
She has contributed to several European research and innovation projects funded under Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, Interreg MED, and Interreg Euro-MED, addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation, marine renewable energy, circular economy, and sustainable regional development. She is the co-author of some scientific publications regarding research on citizens' perceptions of blue energy technologies in the Mediterranean and stakeholder engagement for sustainability assessment. She has designed, coordinated, and facilitated participatory Living Labs within European research projects, supporting multi-stakeholder and co-creation processes for climate neutrality pathways across the Mediterranean region.
She is currently involved in the CO2 PACMAN Project, which investigates co-design methodologies and participatory governance frameworks to support climate neutrality pathways in Mediterranean islands. Her current research interests include climate governance, social acceptance of renewable energy, citizen engagement, blue energy, sustainability assessment, and place-based approaches to the green transition.