Iñigo Losada, society, and climate change: Pillars of a UIMP a summer course on climate resilience through science and innovation

More than 20 experts from the scientific, political, and business sectors have analyzed the role of science and innovation in building more resilient societies in the face of climate change

In a global context marked by the increasing frequenc of extreme weather events and climate change, this week a summer course celebrated in Santander stands out, for bringing together high-level of experts to discuss two key topics: the scientific contributions of Iñigo Losada and the intersection of society and climate change from a multisectoral perspective.

‘Raising public awareness about climate resilience is essential to promoting more sustainable policies and practices, because strengthening societies’ resilience to the effects of climate change is no longer a concern for the future, but a requirement for the present.’ This was explained by Raúl Medina, director general of the Institute of Environmental Hydraulics at the University of Cantabria (IHCantabria) and one of the directors of the course entitled ‘Creators from Santander and Cantabria: Íñigo Losada. Building climate resilience with science and innovation’, which is being held from July 9 to 11, at the Palacio de la Magdalena, in Santander.

The course has used the professional career and contributions of Íñigo Losada—a professor at the Universidad de Cantabria (UC), Director of Research at IHCantabria, and a global reference in climate science and coastal engineering—as a narrative thread to build an academic program that combines in-depth analysis of climate impacts, risks, and solutions with high-level technical, political, and business debate. The course was proposed by the Cultural Association Plaza Porticada and the City Council of Santander, within the framework of the International University Menéndez Pelayo (UIMP) Summer Courses.

“The scientific contributions of Íñigo Losada are not only a gift to Santander and to our present, but also to the world and its future,” said Gema Igual, Mayor of Santander, at the course’s opening ceremony. She also praised Losada’s achievements and professional journey, as well as his consistent willingness to provide information and scientific advice to the City Council.

In addition to Mayor Gema Igual, the opening session featured Elena García Botín, President of the Cultural Association “Plaza Porticada”; Javier Rodríguez, Vice-Rector for International Relations and Language Studies at UIMP; and César Díaz Maza, President of the Port Authority of Santander, who described the course as “a deserved and necessary tribute to Íñigo Losada’s career,” offering “a forward-looking perspective and the opportunity to continue learning from Íñigo’s scientific insight and his ability to translate knowledge into action.”

The course examined climate resilience as a dynamic process that requires innovation and collaboration. “Because climate challenges know no borders or silos—they demand integrated responses that connect science, policy, economics, and local territory,” said César Díaz, who also highlighted Losada’s contributions to IHCantabria and particularly to Santander, “a city that has become an international hub for applied climate research—not only in theory or in laboratories, but also in the creation of useful tools, predictive models, nature-based solutions, and integrated approaches to risk planning and management.”

Science, economics, and policy in the face of climate change

Topics explored during the course included the role of the financial system in managing climate risk, the redesign of resilient infrastructure, integrating nature into adaptation solutions, and opportunities for the private sector amid ecological transition. José Manuel Campa, Chairperson of the European Banking Authority, explained why climate change poses economic and financial challenges, and why its impacts could be more severe if not factored into decision-making. He encouraged the banking sector to ask: What kind of financing is needed? For what kinds of projects? And how can these risks be effectively managed?

“Banks must incorporate climate change into their governance policies,” Campa stressed. He urged banks to develop climate management strategies and plans, while recognizing that one of the major challenges is the complexity of the risks involved, which require “foresight and predictive measures.” For Campa, “banks reflect society,” and “if society invests in green sectors, then banks invest in green sectors.”

Conchi López, Rector of the Universidad de Cantabria, expressed pride that “one of our most renowned researchers, Iñigo Losada, is the focus of this course. His scientific career, closely tied to IHCantabria, has helped establish UC as an international leader in climate change and coastal adaptation research.” She also praised the “outstanding group of speakers, which further highlights the relevance of the subject and the urgent need to advance innovative solutions to climate challenges.”

The course included perspectives from Soledad Núñez, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Spain; César Cernuda, Global President of NetApp; Guillermo Franco, Managing Director for Catastrophic Risk at Guy Carpenter; and Xavier Labandeira, Professor of Applied Economics at the University of Vigo, among other invited experts. In his talk “Big Data and Artificial Intelligence as Drivers of Sustainability,” Cernuda discussed NetApp’s sustainability commitment. María Losada moderated the roundtable on “The Spanish Banking System and climate change: challenges and opportunities.”

Building climate resilience through science and innovation

The second day of the course focused on the life, career, and scientific contributions of Iñigo Losada and on IHCantabria’s R&D work in the field of climate resilience. It featured a keynote by Raúl Medina and a roundtable discussion with Joaquín Tintoré — Director of the Coastal Observation and Forecasting System of the Balearic Islands (SOCIB) and National Research Award winner; Borja González Reguero — Associate Professor of Coastal Science and Policy at the University of California, Santa Cruz; José A. Juanes — UC Professor and IHCantabria’s Director of Strategies; and César Díaz Maza. This roundtable was moderated by Javier López Lara, head of an IHCantabria research group and co-director of this summer course. José A. Juanes ─catedrático de la UC y director de Estrategias de IHCantabria─ y César Díaz Maza, bajo la moderación de Javier López Lara, responsable de un grupo de investigación de IHCantabria y otro de los directores de este curso de verano.

María José Sanz, Director of the Basque Center for Climate Change (BC3), analyzed “the impact of climate research on public policy.” Later, Iñigo Losada and Valentín Alfaya, Sustainability Director at Ferrovial, discussed “the role of civil engineering in addressing climate change” in a roundtable moderated by Daniel Castro, Director of the School of Civil Engineering at UC.

Science, innovation, and institutional commitment for a just transition

The closing session of the course will focus on the role of the private sector and regulatory frameworks in accelerating the ecological transition. Gonzalo Sáenz de Miera, Corporate Director of Climate Change and Partnerships at Iberdrola, Joaquín Pérez de Ayala, Head of Low Carbon Business at “Técnicas Reunidas”, and Pelayo Losada, Partner in the Industrial Area at Boston Consulting Group, will participate in a roundtable discussion on the shift in climate policies and their business impact. The course will conclude tomorrow with a constructive dialogue between Iñigo Losada and the audience.

Recognizing the career and contributions of Iñigo Losada

Iñigo Losada—who holds doctorates from the University of Cantabria and the University of Delaware (USA)—is recognized as one of the strongest examples of how scientific research can have a real impact on public policy and sustainable transformation. Over the course of his career, he has collaborated with institutions such as the World Bank, the United Nations, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), where he served as a lead author for over a decade. His work has earned him distinctions such as the National Research Award “Leonardo Torres Quevedo,” the Rei Jaume I Award, and the prestigious and CoastJ.G. Moffat–F.E. Nichol Harbor al Engineering Award—becoming the first non-American engineer to receive this honor since its inception in 1977.

Beyond recognizing Losada’s career and scientific impact, the course underscored the essential role of science and innovation in building a more resilient future for both planet and society in the face of extreme weather events and climate change.

From left to right: Javier Rodríguez, César Díaz, Elena García Botín, and Gema Igual, with Iñigo Losada and the directors of this course: Raúl Medina and Javier López Lara

Hall of the Palacio de la Magdalena where the course is being held, July 9–11