COP26 and the University of Winchester

Anthropogenic climate change is here, now. It is devastating all life, human and non-human. As we look back on a summer of storms, floods and wildfires, the news is grim. Rather than 1.5 degrees, we are currently on course for a 2.7 degrees rise in global temperature. The world's biodiversity intactness is currently thought to be well below the safe limit of 90%, and British biodiversity stands at half of pre-Industrial Revolution levels. Time is running out to save nature, and ourselves, by halting climate change.

The University of Winchester has declared a climate emergency and has set itself the ambitious goal to become carbon-neutral by 2025.

Led by the dynamic Centre for Climate Change Action and Education and the Institute for Climate and Social Justice, we have joined the UK-wide COP26 Universities Network and the Winchester COP26 Network, working with Winchester City Council and Winchester Action on Climate Change as well as The Climate Coalition and charities such as Christian Aid. We have joined forces with influential speakers, artists and organisations such as the Kingdom Choir and Gilbert White's House.

Our programme of events and initiatives is underpinned by a powerful message: we need action on climate change, and we need it NOW. A group of Winchester staff and students have travelled to Glasgow to add their voices to the growing chorus calling for urgent action on climate change. Read the press release

Students Stuart Evans, Alysha Duquemin and Somer Taylor-Haines attended events in the Green Zone and took part in the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice

Our Glasgow-goers returned full of thoughts, ideas and emotions, which they are keen to share and discuss. We are therefore planning a COP26 Debrief session on 15 December - Find out more about our COP Debrief.

Another group of undergraduate students have expressed their hopes about a sustainable future for the planet in a film which is set to be shown at COP26. Find out more and watch our students' contribution to the film Greenability, a collaboration between the Worldwide Fund for Nature and The Grange Festival Hampshire.

The Faculty of Arts has produced Climate 4 Change, a series of short films written and performed by Arts staff and students. Explore Climate 4 Change on the Faculty of Arts YouTube channel.

For press enquiries, contact press@winchester.ac.uk

For more University events, explore our Public Events Calendar

Discover our COP programme of events and activities