COP 26 Roundtables

The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in November 2021. It aims to bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The University of Birmingham is leading research to help mitigate and adapt to the risks and impacts associated with climate change. We have two events this Autumn providing a platform for debate and discussion for University of Birmingham students and researchers.

Our first event was a panel of students who are doing some amazing and innovative work on environmental activism. The discussion was on how our students contribute to climate change and how students from different disciplines make change. 

Our second panel will be a review of COP26 outcomes. We will have academics and students giving their views. These events have been organised by UoB students Zoe Skinner, Sumirat Saini and Kefa Nsubuga in collaboration with Professor Aleksandra Cavoski. Professor Cavoski will be attending the COP26 conference in November. 

13:00-15:00 17 November 'Reflections on COP 26'

This event will provide a platform to discuss the outcomes of COP26 held in Glasgow.

The UK is hosting the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in November 2021. This is a crucial moment in history, as we have experienced the impacts of climate change more than ever, and closer to home.

There is no doubt that developed nations need to be leaders in climate action as well as helping to develop nations most affected by the impacts of climate change. This event will provide a platform to discuss the outcomes of COP26 held in Glasgow with experts in the field.

Speakers:

1. Katie Jepson, Environment Behaviour Change Project Officer, West Midlands Combined Authority

2. Professor William Bloss, University of Birmingham

3. Professor Robert Lee, University of Birmingham

4. Professor Gregor Leckebusch, University of Birmingham

5. Dr. Luisa Orsini, University of Birmingham

Please register for this event here. 

Previous event

13:00-15:00 Wednesday 20 October

'Environmental activism and climate change'

Recently, we have observed the impacts of climate change in real-time more than ever, and closer to home. Environmental activism is becoming key in climate change efforts, especially when robust governmental action is lacking, but what does it actually look like?

This event brings together students with different roles in the environmental movement, such as launching creative initiatives that give a glimpse of a better future, campaigning on the frontlines with environmental organisations, and advocating the significance of student activism at universities, to discuss the different forms environmental activism can take and their importance. 

Confirmed speakers

• Naomi Luhde-Thompson, PhD Researcher at College of Arts and Law, University of Birmingham
• Laurie Duncan, PhD Researcher at College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Birmingham
• Fisola Kelly-Akinnuoye, BA English, University of Birmingham
• Sumirat Saini, Law, University of Birmingham
• Matthew Cockram, BA/BSc Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Birmingham

We will be posting a link to the recorded roundtable here in November.