FMIPA UNNES Hosts GREENOVA 2026, Strengthening International Research Collaboration for Sustainable Development

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), successfully hosted the 1st Global Conference on Environmental, Energy, and Natural Resources Innovation for Sustainable Development (GREENOVA) 2026 on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Aston Inn Pandanaran, Semarang.

As its inaugural international conference, GREENOVA 2026 served as a collaborative platform for academics, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from various countries to foster innovation in environmental science, energy, and natural resources in support of sustainable development.

The conference was officially opened by the Rector of Universitas Negeri Semarang, Prof. Dr. S. Martono, M.Si., followed by welcoming remarks from the Chair of GREENOVA 2026, Rifa’ Atunnisa, Ph.D., from the Undergraduate Environmental Science Program, FMIPA UNNES. In her address, she emphasized that GREENOVA was established as a multidisciplinary forum bringing together academia, researchers, industry, government, and practitioners to develop innovative solutions for sustainable development.

She also expressed her appreciation to all partners, speakers, participants, and organizing committee members whose contributions ensured the success of the inaugural international conference.

GREENOVA 2026 was organized by FMIPA UNNES as the host institution in collaboration with IPB University and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Malaysia, as co-hosts. This partnership reflects the shared commitment of the three institutions to strengthening international research networks while advancing scientific solutions to global environmental challenges. The conference also received support from the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) through its Equity Program.

The conference attracted 108 participants, including presenters and attendees from diverse countries. In addition to Indonesia, authors and presenters represented the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, India, Kenya, Hungary, and the United Kingdom. This international participation further reinforces GREENOVA’s position as a global scientific forum that promotes diverse perspectives in environmental science and sustainable development.

Under the theme of innovation in environment, energy, and natural resources for sustainable development, GREENOVA 2026 featured internationally renowned keynote speakers presenting the latest advances in their respective fields. Prof. Nathan G. Swenson of the University of Notre Dame, United States, delivered the opening keynote entitled The Functional Underpinnings of Forest Dynamics: Traits, ‘Omics and Individuals.

The second keynote address was delivered by Prof. Rajkishore Nayak of RMIT University, Vietnam, on Sustainable Fashion Journeys Using Biomaterials and Waste Valorization. His presentation highlighted the strategic role of biomaterials and waste valorization in developing a more sustainable and low-carbon fashion industry.

The third keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. Hadi Susilo Arifin of IPB University, presented Landscape Ecology and Environmental Management Approaches: Hydrology and Sustainable Water Resources Research. His presentation underscored the importance of landscape ecology and environmental management in supporting hydrological conservation and sustainable water resource management amid the challenges of climate change.

In addition to the keynote sessions, GREENOVA 2026 featured distinguished invited speakers, including Assoc. Prof. Apichat Upaichit from Prince of Songkla University, Thailand; Prof. Sri Kadarwati, Ph.D. from FMIPA UNNES; Prof. Dr. Prabang Setyono from Universitas Sebelas Maret; and Prof. Dr. Nadiroh from Universitas Negeri Jakarta.

The participation of Prof. Prabang Setyono and Prof. Nadiroh, representing the Indonesian Association of Environmental Science Study Programs (PEPSILI), further strengthened collaboration among environmental science programs in advancing education, research, and community engagement throughout Indonesia.

As an international scientific forum, GREENOVA 2026 not only provided a venue for disseminating research findings but also expanded cross-border collaboration in technology development, policymaking, and innovation to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The conference particularly contributed to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land) through research addressing clean energy, circular economy, climate change mitigation, and terrestrial ecosystem conservation.

As part of its commitment to high-impact international scientific publication, selected papers presented at GREENOVA 2026 will be published in reputable journals, including the Journal of Science Education Indonesia (JPII), Biosaintifika, Jurnal Presipitasi, and the IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (IOP EES). These publications are expected to broaden the impact of the conference by contributing to scientific advancement and addressing global environmental challenges.

GREENOVA 2026 marks an important milestone for FMIPA UNNES in strengthening its role as an international hub for environmental science and innovation. Through global collaboration, scholarly exchange, and reputable scientific publications, the conference is expected to generate research-based solutions that contribute meaningfully to sustainable development in Indonesia and beyond.

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