Carolina Cruz de Castro
PhD Candidate at NOVA University of Lisbon
Carolina Cruz de Castro is a PhD student at CENSE, focusing on empowering rural Renewable Energy Communities through participatory approaches that foster inclusion and a just energy transition. She is involved in the LIFE ENTRACK project: “Empowering local and regional authorities to design clean ENergy TRAnsition plans through Capacity and Knowledge building actions". Carolina holds an MSc degree in Environmental Engineering (2023) from NOVA FCT, and has received the NOVA Young Talent Award (2020) and the Calouste Gulbenkian Environmental Sustainability Grant (Novos Talentos Científicos 2022). Her master’s research, developed through exchanges in Montevideo and Padua, explored students’ perceptions and vulnerabilities to energy poverty across different contexts (Castro & Gouveia, 2023; 2025).
Chilling and sweltering at home: Surveying energy poverty and thermal vulnerability among Portuguese higher education students [2025]
Multilevel Collaborative Research Spearheading Europe’s Fight Against Energy Poverty [2025]
Abstract Book of the Joint ESA RN12 “Environment and Society” Mid-term and the 7th Energy and Society Conference [2025]
Public Consultation Assessment of the Portuguese Social Climate Plan 2026-2032 [2025]
Social Energy Innovation For A Just Transition: Mapping And Co-Creation Of Policies In Rural Areas Of Southern Europe [2025]
ENTRACK - Taxonomy of social energy plans, strategies and policies from EU level down to municipal level [2024]
ENTRACK Empowering local and regional authorities to design clean Energy TRAnsition plans through Capacity and Knowledge (LIFE) [2023-2026]
Empowering local and regional authorities is pivotal in achieving the EU's ambitious climate neutrality goals by 2050. The #ENTRACK project recognizes the challenges faced by local policymakers, especially in rural areas, where a lack of knowledge and technical capacity often hinders socially just energy planning.Energy Efficiency Tips and Consumer Segmentation [2023-2024]
The project aims to develop energy efficiency tips to raise consumers awareness. It also aims to develop consumer profiles. The project is being developed for SU Electricidade - portuguese eletricity supplier on the regulated market.Municipal Plan for Climate Change Adaptation of the Municipality of Arruda dos Vinhos (CM Arruda dos Vinhos). [2020-2021]
The Municipal Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change in the municipality of Arruda dos Vinhos (PMAAC-AR), in accordance with the National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change (ENAAC, 2020) and PIAAC-Oeste (2019), essentially intends to systematize climate knowledge, define and indicate adaptation options at the municipal level, as well as inform and mobilize the municipal community. It aims to reduce climate vulnerability in the municipality and promote adaptation, through a set of measures and actions identified for different priority sectors.Dec
202510
X PhD Students Meeting in Environment and Agriculture
Sep
202526
European Researchers Night 2025
Jun
202524
“Construyendo el camino hacia una Transición Energética Justa (y efectiva)”, Madrid
Jun
202517
NOVA FCT Science Days
May
202512
2nd ENTRACK Community of Practice on Inclusive Renewable Energy Communities
Apr
202530
EXPO FCT 2025
INTELCITIES: Social Energy Innovation: Mapping and Co-creation in Rural Areas in Southern Europe
