As the world focuses on the
COP26 Global Conference in Glasgow, we are delighted to be organising our own COP26 Forum that aims to showcase the contributions our students and staff are making to climate change mitigation/adaption and sustainability. The forum will be taking place from
tomorrow (1 November) until
12 November, showcasing research, teaching and other initiatives as well as offering a range of events hosted both online and face-to-face. From a student-chaired panel with local councillors debating decarbonisation plans for our local area, to discussions and workshops on literature and climate catastrophe, to a world climate summit simulation, there’s a
whole range of events and activities for you to get involved in.
Royal Holloway has been accredited as an official observer at COP26 in Glasgow, and
ten of our academics, from a range of different departments, will be reporting from the talks themselves. 17 of our researchers have also written a series of blog posts that relate to each of the
United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The blogs reflect on why these goals matter as well as offering an entry into our research and teaching worlds that by necessity are diverse in approach and interests. Each blog is being released daily until the end of the COP26 talks and can be read in full on
the student intranet.
From
Monday 8 November, our Catering team will be
launching a number of initiatives within their food outlets. You will be able to purchase discounted Royal Holloway KeepCups and water bottles from all outlets across campus, all dairy free milk alternatives will be available at no additional cost and ‘eat well Wednesdays’ and ‘meat free’ menus will be available in selected outlets.
More information about our COP26 Forum can be found on
the student intranet. We look forward to seeing you at the events and activities taking place over the next two weeks - let's hope that we can make this a truly memorable COP26 Forum.
Professor Klaus Dodds, Department of Geography and Professor Redell Olsen, Department of English and Caroline Harris (COP26 Forum administrator and PhD student in the Department of English)