The Climate Change Challenge – how can we live more sustainably?

Over the coming weeks you’ll be hearing a huge amount in the news about COP26, but what is it, and why is it so important?

COP is the United Nations’ annual climate change conference. It is the world’s most significant summit on climate change and this year, it is being held in the UK for the first time.

COP stands for the Conference of Parties and this year is the 26th conference – hence COP26.

With the devastating effects of climate change becoming clearer each year, COP26 has been described as “the world’s best last chance to get runaway climate change under control.”

As such, more than 20,000 world leaders, negotiators, government representatives, businesses and researchers will gather in Scotland for twelve days of talks.

During the conference, they will be asked for their plans on tackling climate change and cutting their carbon emissions by 2030. This will include a commitment to secure global net zero by mid-century and keep global warming at 1.5C above pre-industrial levels so that we avoid a climate catastrophe.

What is Northumbria University doing?

In the run-up to, and during COP26, we’ll be shining a spotlight on some of the work Northumbria University is leading in the fight against climate change.

From modelling the impact of melting ice sheets on global sea level, to developing new technologies that will make homes and products more sustainable and efficient, Northumbria researchers are playing a leading role in helping us to live more sustainably in future.

Some of our staff and students will be exhibiting at and attending COP26 and we'll be sharing details of their time at the biggest conference the UK has ever hosted.

How can I get involved?

Members of the public are invited to join our free online event The Climate Challenge – What’s It All About? on Wednesday 20 October. 

Our panel of expert speakers will take you on a whistle-stop tour of topics relating to the climate challenge, including looking at what transport is like in a low-carbon world; how communities are impacted by climate change and asking ‘what is Net Zero and how do we get there?’

We’ll also be sharing stories of the positive impact that individual staff and students are making, and we’ll be encouraging people to make changes to their lifestyle to ensure we can all Take On Tomorrow.

Want to know more?

Check out our website at www.northumbria.ac.uk/livesustainably