New Católica project brings together four fields of knowledge to address climate change
SINFONIA is the name of the new research project of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa aimed at developing integrated solutions to address the challenges posed by climate change in agriculture, food systems, and the preservation of cultural heritage. The project brings together a multidisciplinary team from the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, involving researchers from the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF), the Research Centre for Science and Technology of the Arts (CITAR), the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), and the Research Centre in Management and Economics (CEGE).
“Climate change is placing increasing pressure on agricultural sustainability and productivity through rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, the occurrence of extreme events, and soil degradation, compromising crops that are essential for food security, cultural traditions, and agricultural landscapes,” notes Elisabete Pinto, one of the project coordinators and a researcher at the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry, part of the School of Biotechnology.
The impacts of these phenomena also extend to cultural heritage, “accelerating material degradation and requiring innovative conservation solutions, with the potential to strengthen the circular economy,” adds Patrícia Moreira, one of the coordinators and a researcher at the Research Centre for Science and Technology of the Arts (CITAR) of the School of Arts of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa.
In this context, the SINFONIA project – Sustainable Agroecosystems, Food Innovation, and Artistic Practices for Climate Adaptation – proposes an integrated approach that combines sustainable and agroecological farming practices, food innovation, and the development of artistic and technological solutions oriented towards climate adaptation. In essence, the project “aims to improve soil and vegetation health through sustainable practices to ensure safe food production; to develop innovative foods, such as plant-based egg substitutes for the food industry and energy and protein supplements for older adults; and to create new strategies for preservation and artistic creation,” highlights Mariana Bexiga, one of the coordinators and science manager at the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry, part of the School of Biotechnology.
The project’s kick-off meeting, held during the week of 6 January, brought together 24 researchers, including the coordination team, leaders of the different work packages, and researchers responsible for the scientific and operational implementation of the work. This initial meeting enabled in-person interaction among team members, a detailed presentation of objectives, tasks, milestones, and deliverables, as well as the identification of synergies and potential challenges, allowing for the anticipation of risk mitigation strategies.
The strategic plan is structured around three main thematic areas: soil health and agricultural practices; the development of innovative, healthy, and sustainable foods; and symbiotic landscapes that combine art, artificial intelligence, and new materials, with the aim of strengthening the regeneration of agricultural ecosystems, promoting more sustainable dietary patterns, and driving new strategies for preservation and artistic creation.
The project is funded under the Programa Regional do Norte – Acordo de Parceria Portugal 2030, managed by the Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Norte (CCDR-N).