Carlos Borrego

Carlos Borrego is Professor of Environmental Engineering and Director of the Department of Environment and Planning (DAO) at the University of Aveiro (UA). He was Minister for Environment and Natural Resources. He was Vice-Rector for Research and Cooperation with the Society. He is Director of the Institute for Environment and Planning (IDAD) the interface unit of UA for the Cooperation with the Society, providing services to organizations on air pollution, impact assessment and environmental monitoring, and sustainability. Carlos provides cross-university leadership in research, knowledge exchange and programme development in sustainability, health and environment, towards the circular economy. He is working for more than 43 years on environmental problems, serving Portugal in a number of international scientific boards and committees, and having 25 years of experience on professional consulting and project activities. So, having a systemic view of this scientific area. His biographical details were first included in Who’s Who in 1994. His research has been supported by many sources including the FCT, APA, ANI, EEA, EC Framework Programmes and his career research and consultancy income is approximately €40 million. Carlos main ideas about scientific research is an integrated strategy, in the line with the European research program and all the major national research programs of Member States. In fact, the main research programmes that are being designed for the 2014-2020 period are much more target to the market, where innovation plays a key role in setting up the framework for the Research & Innovation (R&I) strategies to be defined. The increase of Europe’s competitiveness and job creation is a main goal of the EU2020 Strategy and boost the next framework programme towards SME and industry as key actors to sustainable development through the social, economic and environmental pillars. The new perspective supports opportunities in all types of innovation. Innovation is at the centre of the EU objectives and technological, organizational and systemic innovations will be fundamental to pursued sustainability objectives. In addition, promoting the economic development an urge aim and increasing the competitiveness of the European and Portuguese R&I SME is a fundamental step forward to effectively overcome the crisis while protecting our resources through eco-innovation and resource-efficiency. The greatest challenge is engaging our universities and research institutes in developing innovations that will increase the economic, social and environmental value of our society. He is also committed with these objectives for Portugal and help to prepare a strong research programmes. Research interests: The research interests are concerned to the integrated studies of physico-chemical atmospheric processes, including the meteorological aspects, the atmospheric pollutants production and dispersion and their fluxes between the atmosphere and the other ambient reservoirs. These studies are based on mathematical and physical modelling, in wind tunnel. The projects include the development of air quality mathematical models; the development of numerical models for atmospheric impact assessment of industrial units; heavy gas dispersion and industrial risk assessment from accidents; atmospheric pollution and changes in the atmospheric pattern circulations, induced by forest fires; the study of volatile organic compounds emissions from forests; the analysis of coastal breezes effects on air quality; the study of climate change impact on mesoscale atmospheric circulations and on air quality and the analysis of ecosystem critical loads from acidic and oxidants atmospheric pollutants. Other activities: High quality research in environment, applied to real and practical case studies, to human capital development, to technology transfer and innovation. Projects for companies, government and municipalities. As a Professor, Carlos have a strong commitment to teaching and student learning. He has also designed the Research Group on Atmospheric Emissions, Modelling and Climate Change, which main objectives are the integrated and systemic studies of atmospheric processes, environmental risk assessment, environmental impact studies, sustainable development and circular economy. Carlos is the Director of IDAD-Institute for Environment and Planning, the interface unit (SME) of University of Aveiro for services to society. His long experience started in 1993, preparing IDAD to give integrated support to the companies’ environmental needs, coordinating multisectoral projects involving specialists from air quality, water resources, fauna and flora, landscape, sociology or public health. Main supervisions and coordination: Responsible for 6 Pos-doc., 19 Ph.D. thesis and 32 M.Sc. thesis. COORDINATION OF IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDIES - EIA COORDINATION OF STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (SEA) STUDIES