NTU is proud to be hosting our 'Campaign for COP26', a fortnight of events, workshops, actions and lectures focused on topics within the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).
We'll be encouraging our students, colleagues and friends to gain an understanding of the current climate crisis, how the crisis relates to other critical challenges in society and the need for climate action. We'll also explore how NTU is working to contribute to these challenges.
NTU's Campaign for COP26 is open to students, colleagues, academics and business partners to consider how we can create local solutions to these global challenges and develop our learning about sustainability and the climate crisis.
Events and Activities
There are a host of events, workshops, actions and lectures for students, staff and the public to get involved in during NTU's Campaign for COP26. Browse our events and book your place here:
| Date and Time | Event | Sign Up |
|---|---|---|
| 25th October 11am - 2pm | Sustainability Surgery | Drop-in |
| 26th October 12pm -1pm | Purchasing Power Location: Online An interactive session for students to learn about shopping more sustainably, from green labelling to greenwashing. | Join via Teams |
| 26 October 11am - 2pm | Sustainability Surgery Location: Mansfield, Vision West Nottinghamshire College Students can meet members of the Sustainability Team to discuss all things Sustainability at NTU and ways you can get involved. | Drop-in |
| 27 October 1pm - 2pm | Employability: Introduction to Carbon Literacy Location: Online via Teams Students can take part in this Carbon Literacy taster with an employability focus. | Book here |
| 28 October 12pm - 1pm | Sustainability and Employability Location: Online via Teams Join the Employability Team to find out the connections between sustainability and the world of work. | Book here |
| 29 October 11am - 12pm | Celebrating Black Climate Heroes Location: Online via Teams Hear stories of individuals and societies who have helped to curb climate change through their actions and influence. Open to staff, students and the public. | Find out more and join via Teams |
| 29 October 12pm - 1pm | Low Waste Living Workshop Location: Online via Teams This workshop for students allows you to explore practical low waste living swaps we can all make. You'll also hear more about recycling at NTU and UoN. | Book your place |
| 29 October 4 - 5pm | Sustainability in the Built Environment - Guest Speaker and Student Networking Opportunity Location: Newton Lecture Theatre 4 / Online through Microsoft Teams (Hybrid event) Join us for a talk by Professor Mahroo Eftekhari, Programme Director of Low Energy Building Services from the University of Loughborough, discussing some of the potential ramifications of the COP26 goals for the Built Environment and the current challenges and solutions relating to low energy building. | Join in person at Newton Lecture Theatre 4 or Join online through Teams |
| 1 November 12pm - 1pm | Sustainability @ NTU Location: Online Staff online session to gain an understanding of sustainability at NTU, responsibilities as staff members and ways to get involved with sustainability projects and events. | Email sust.dev@ntu.ac.uk to book |
| 1 November 1pm - 2pm | Expectations for COP26 Location: Online Rachel Welton from Nottingham Business School moderates this Global Compact Network UK talk which helps participants understand the potential outcomes from COP26. | Book your place |
| 2 November 12pm - 1pm | Sustainability @ NTU Location: Online Staff online session to gain an understanding of sustainability at NTU, responsibilities as staff members and ways to get involved with sustainability projects and events. | Email sust.dev@ntu.ac.uk to book |
| 2 November 11am - 12pm | Climate Change Education: What is it and how does it relate to my subject? Location: Online Join Professor Petra Molthan-Hill (Nottingham Business School) and Helen Puntha (NTU Green Academy) for this interactive workshop to explore some ways of embedding climate change education into your teaching practice. | Join via Teams. |
| 3 November 9am - 4pm | NTU Sustainability Summit 2021 - Campaign for COP26 Location: Nottingham Conference Centre A student conference to highlight climate action and net zero carbon goals across Nottingham, including a range of guest speakers and workshops. | Book your place |
| 3 November 11 am - 12pm | Employability: Sustainability and Employability Location: Online via Teams Join us to find out the connections between sustainability and the world of work. | Book your place |
| 4 November 12pm - 1pm | Sustainability @ NTU Location: Online Staff online session to gain an understanding of sustainability at NTU, responsibilities as staff members and ways to get involved with sustainability projects and events. | Book your place |
| 4 November 4pm - 5pm | Decolonising and Decarbonising Higher Education Location: Online Hear from our panel and join the conversation as we explore connections between colonialism and the climate and ecological crisis and begin to envisage a decolonised, decarbonised learning environment. Everyone welcome. | Join via Teams |
| TBC | Rewilding - Beavers at Idle Valley Location: Online Join speakers from Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and NTU to learn about the trials and tribulations of the project to reintroduce Beavers to local nature reserve Idle Valley. Open to NTU staff and students only. | Email sust.dev@ntu.ac.uk to enquire. |
| 5 November 12pm - 1pm | Decarbonising Living Spaces - Carbon Neutral Nottingham Location: Online Join Dr Yangang Xing (ADBE) and Helen Puntha (NTU Green Academy) for this workshop to explore ways that individuals and academic subject areas can contribute to decarbonising using the example of homes (their design, construction and energy use). We will consider the actions proposed in the Nottingham City Council Carbon Neutral 2028 Plan and what we as members of the NTU community can do to be part of the solution. | Join via Teams |
| 5 November 2 - 3pm | Higher Education after COP26: Business as usual? Location: Online Join our virtual campfire session with NTU Green Academy and members of the NTU Sustainable Development Academic Forum (SDAF) to reflect on future directions for integrating sustainability into the curriculum after COP26. | Join via Teams |
| 12 November 3 - 4.15pm | Leaders Forum on Green Internationalisation Location: Online As the UN's COP26 conference draws to a close, NTU’s Vice-Chancellor and NTU Global will host a panel of university leaders from across the world to consider the role of university internationalisation in developing effective and timely responses to the global climate crisis. | Book your place |
| 15 November | Reflections on COP26 (Global Compact Network UK) Location: Online Rachel Welton, Assistant Head of Undergraduate at Nottingham Business School moderates this Global Compact Network UK event to reflect on the UN's COP26 conference and how we can continue to engage in climate action. | Book your place |
| Date and Time | Event | Sign Up |
|---|---|---|
| 25 October 10am - 4pm | Dr Bike Drop-In Location: Bike Hire Workshop Come and chat all things Bike Hire and maintenance with our Cycle Hire Coordinator | Drop-in |
| 27 October 1pm - 3pm | Pumpkin Carving: Foodshare Allotment Location: Clifton Allotment (Behind Peverell Reception) Join us in time for Halloween for pumpkin carving at the allotment. | Drop-in |
| 28 October 3pm - 5pm | Climate Change Negotiation Simulation Join the NTU Green Academy as we revisit Paris to better understand the issues being discussed at COP26. During this 2-hour negotiation you will play the role of a nation who participated in the original Paris Agreement. | Email by 26th October to book your place |
| 29 October 1pm - 2pm | Clifton Nature Trail Walk Location: Meet at Clifton Allotments (Behind Peverell Reception) Enjoy a stroll along Clifton nature trail and learn the importance and care of on-campus green space. | Book your place |
| 1 November 10am - 4p | Dr Bike Drop-in Location: Bike Hire Workshop Come and chat all things Bike Hire and maintenance with our Cycle Hire Coordinator | Drop-in |
| 2 November 5pm - 7pm | U&I Film Screening Location: City Campus Global Charity U&I are showcasing two films to highlight and contrast climate action in the UK and the Philippines. | Book your place |
| 3 November 2pm - 4pm | Environmental Biology COP26 Open House: Meet the NTU experts behind the COP26 headlines Venue: Clifton Campus Join the Biosciences Environmental Biology team to discover the fascinating ways our researchers are addressing the climate and ecological emergency through their work. Sessions will include 'have-a-go' lab stations, citizen science projects (how you can help at home) and App based mapping of species on campus. | Book here |
| 3 November 1pm -3pm | Foodshare Allotment Location: Clifton Allotment (Behind Peverell reception) Everyone is welcome to come and help us grow and harvest vegetables, fruits and herbs. | Drop-in |
| 5 November 4pm - 5pm | Boots Library Meet and Reflect Location: Boots Library Rooftop Garden (City Campus) Join members of the Sustainability team to take some time in one of our on-campus green spaces and reflect on the impact of the Campaign for COP26 fortnight. | Drop-in |
Join NTU experts to explore the research behind the COP26 headlines in the following events and talks with NTU experts. These events are open to NTU staff, students and the public.
| Date and Time | Event Name | Sign Up |
|---|---|---|
| 25th October 1pm - 2pm | Climate change communications and politics in Russia, Central Asia & Middle East - Dr Marianna Poberezhskaya. | Book here |
| 26th October 1pm - 2pm | Glaciers and Climate Change - Dr Nick Midgley | Book here |
| 27 October 1pm - 2pm | Arctic Lakes - Carbon Sinks or Carbon Emitters? - Dr Erika Whiteford | Book here |
| 29 October 1pm - 2pm | Climate Change and International Sporting Events - Seth Kirby | Book here |
| 1 November - 1pm - 2pm | Climate reporting by large companies - Katarina Miler and Dr Andreja Pavlović | Book here |
| 2 November 1pm - 2pm | Citizens, environmental sustainability and local democracy - putting people's voices at the centre of Nottingham's Carbon Neutral 2028 strategy - Dr Matt Henn and Dena Arya | Book here |
| 4 November 12pm - 1pm | When rivers run dry: how climate changes biodiversity in 'winterbourne' streams – Prof Rachel Stubbington and team. | Book here |
| 4 November 1pm - 2pm | Local Planning for Climate Change - Dr Peter Eckersley | Book here |
COP26 Resource Collection
NTU Green Academy are curating a suite of resources to celebrate COP26 in recognition of the important contributions NTU staff and students continue to make towards climate and ecological knowledge. Recordings of the 'learn over lunch' series will be available for NTU staff and students to access, alongside other resources to support continued sustainability education. Access the resources here.
| 28 October 12pm - 2pm | Global Lounge Vegan Lunch Location: City Campus Global Lounge A chance for students to enjoy a tasty vegan lunch at the Global Lounge and chat with members of the Sustainability team. |
| 2 November 12pm - 2pm | Global Lounge Vegan Lunch Location: Clifton Campus Well-being room A chance for students to enjoy a tasty vegan lunch at the Global Lounge and chat with members of the sustainability team |
Student Photo Competition
Submit a photo that you think reflects one of COP26's goals:
- Secure global net-zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach
- Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats
- Mobilise finance
- Work together to deliver
Submit your photo with a short brief and win the chance to have your photos showcased at our student conference on the 3 November! A range of sustainable prizes are also on offer for the top 3 photos. More information on the goals can be found on our website. Email your submissions to sust.dev@NTU.ac.uk by 1st November.
Sustainability in Practice Certificate
Are you a student who would like to better understand urgent global sustainability challenges and how we could solve them? The four-session Sustainability in Practice (SiP) module on the NOW learning room can help you get started. Access the module here.
Green Rewards
For NTU Green Rewards, November is all about COP26! Students and staff can sign up to the online platform to watch video updates of the conference, carry out sustainable actions and pledge behaviours towards the ambitions of COP26. Points are on offer for interaction, with individual and team winners earning vouchers for local shops or charities.
Hedgehog Friendly Campus Litter Picks
Register your society, team or personal interest to take part in an on-campus litter pick during our Campaign for COP26 to work towards our HFC certification. Equipment is available for use. Email sust.dev@NTU.ac.uk to register your interest.
Showcase of Student Sustainability Projects
View the winning Sustainability in Practice (SiP) projects from 2021 and see the innovative solutions students proposed to address the climate emergency and other urgent sustainability challenges. Head to SharePoint or email: greenacademy@ntu.ac.uk to find out more.
Sustainability at NTU
NTU is one of the most sustainable universities in the world, ranked 4th in the 2020 The UI GreenMetric World University Rankings. Our Embracing Sustainability and Net Zero Carbon strategy create a culture of sustainable development across the NTU community. From embedding the UN Sustainable Development Goals throughout our courses to supporting the NTU community to make sustainable lifestyle choices, we're working together to embed sustainability throughout the university.
Opportunities for Businesses
As part of NTU's Campaign for COP26, we're offering a series of events and opportunities for businesses to equip them to operate in a more sustainable way.
The Sustainability Community Lab
Date and Time: Wednesday 27 October 1pm - 4.30pm and Wednesday 3 November 1pm - 4.30pm.
This early career development programme for graduates within Nottingham-based SMEs enables businesses to create sustainability advocates within their workforce. The programme is designed to equip graduates with the knowledge and tools to elevate the priority of sustainable practices and processes within the work environment. Interested businesses can find out more here.
Booking deadline: Monday 25 October
This is a series of four practical and interactive workshops that provide Nottingham-based SMEs with the knowledge to measure their carbon emissions, develop carbon management strategies and develop a carbon management action plan. The first cohort begins Wednesday 27 October 2021. Register your interest here.
Date and Time: 4 November, 12 - 1.30pm
Learn more about NTU's sustainable procurement initiative and what that means for your business moving forwards. Hear from NTU's Head of Procurement and Head of Sustainability on how sustainability content in bids and tenders are assessed and what will be expected from businesses in the future. Also hear from NTU's Sustainability Consultants about how you can best position your business's sustainability and environmental credentials and how we can help you. Book your place here.
Date and Time: 27 October, 10 - 11.30am
Join this online webinar with the East Midlands Chamber and Dr Ehsan Asnaashari, NTU Senior Lecturer in Construction Management, who will discuss how businesses can maximise value and minimise waste. NTU Sustainability Consultant Robyn Thompson will also be discussing how NTU is working with their supply chain and the wider local economy to reduce carbon emissions. Book your place.
Sustainability and Inclusive Leadership Course
The Sustainability and Inclusive Leadership (SAIL) course explores the global climate crisis, economic impact, and how important it is for businesses to be more sustainable as they work towards COVID-19 recovery. Available for employees of SMEs that are based in Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire, you will develop an action plan for your business, and upon being successful in your assessment, you will receive a full certificate issued by the Carbon Literacy Trust.
Date and Time: Thursday 4 November, 10am - 1pm
This event by the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment is for employers and stakeholders from the region to inform and discuss the local strategies to support the east midlands on our pathway to Net-Zero. Book your place.
Sustainability Research
NTU works around five key research themes that aim to respond to a range of challenges in business, industry, the professions, and society. Our Sustainable Futures theme NTU explores the challenges of creating a world in which resources are used wisely, climate change mitigated through low carbon strategies, circular economy strategies prevent waste, and pollution is minimised.
NTU researchers have reimagined farming approaches and restructured food production processes to provide radical solutions to feeding our growing population without further harming our planet. They are creating two vertical farming units, paving the way for more like them to be built for and used by retailers, caterers, local authorities and schools.
The School of Art & Design’s Clothing Sustainability Research Group focuses on creating knowledge that will support a more sustainable future for clothing design, consumption and culture. Group members have produced the Clothing Durability Toolkit to enable companies to recognise, map out and celebrate what they are currently doing to make clothes last longer, to identify any gaps in their skills and knowledge, and to develop innovative approaches to clothing longevity tailored to their specific context and requirements.
NTU recently collaborated on the NCH2050 Homes project, which transformed ten social rent homes into super insulated, low maintenance almost net zero energy homes. The project was the first in the UK to pioneer the Dutch 'Engergiesprong' project. Images from the project will feature in a virtual exhibition as part of the official COP26 conference.
Follow us on social media to keep up to date with the events and activities happening throughout the NTU Campaign for COP26. Use the hashtag #COP26 to join the global conversation around climate action.