UON COP26 Week

The first day of UON COP26 week explores the relationship between transport and climate change. The day will feature talks on topics such as the transition to electric vehicles, active travel and impacts on local air quality. It is a chance to talk to local organisations and UON in-house experts about why and how these are all important for climate change mitigation and our local environment.

Join in quizzes, competitions and meet local companies and organisations to find out more about the work they are doing and ways you can get involved!

Opening of COP26 – Welcome by the Vice Chancellor

• 10.00 – 10.15am

Ground Floor, Learning Hub

Introduction to Climate Change and Transport & Mobility – Dr Greg Spellman

• 10.15 – 10.25am

Ground Floor, Learning Hub

Allen Ford – Transition to Electric Vehicles and its challenges

• 10.30 – 11.00am

Owls Nest, Learning Hub

Voi– The Voi strategy, vision and the impacts of Covid on active & sustainable travel.

• 11.00 – 11.30am

Featuring Voi in Northamptonshire

Owls Nest, Learning Hub

Climate Action West Northamptonshire – Air Quality and emissions

• 11.45am – 12.15pm

Owls Nest, Learning Hub

Voi – Mobility Solutions

• 12.30 – 12.45pm

Owls Nest, Learning Hub

Living Streets Northampton – Active and Sustainable Travel in Northampton

• 1.30 – 2.00pm

Owls Nest, Learning Hub

UON – Sustainable Travel Planning; why have a travel plan?

• 2 – 2.30pm

Engineering walking and cycling back into our lives, deprioritising the car and the benefits. A closer look at the UON’s Sustainable Travel Plan.

Owls Nest, Learning Hub

3pm: Close

This day takes a closer look at the way we live and the important resources that we use each day, often without realising the effects it can have on our environment and on climate change. How long and often do you shower? Did you know approximately 12 – 15 litres of water is used per minute in a shower?! But what does this actually mean? Come along and speak to Anglian Water to find out! Or maybe you want to learn more about the amount of waste we use and ways to reduce it – there will be plenty of chance to find out more and get stuck in! Why not join in on one of the litter picks too and get to know your local environment!

Dr Chris Holt – Introduction to water and waste management and the impacts on climate change

• 10.00 – 10.15am

Ground

Horiba – Microplastics and carbon in water systems

• 10.30 – 11.15am

With Q&A

Owls Nest, Learning Hub

Food Waste

• 11.30am – 12.00pm

TBC

Suez & UON – Litter Pick Becketts Park

• 11.30am – 12.30pm

Meet point TBC

Anglian Water – Workshop: Climate Change impacts on water resources and create a water-saving campaign to win

• 12.45 – 1.45pm

Expo area, Ground Floor, Learning Hub

Anglian Water – Workshop: Climate Change impacts on water resources and water saving tips for the home!

• 1.30 – 2pm

location TBC

Suez – Rubbish bag split demonstration!

• 2 – 2.30pm

Owls Nest, Learning Hub

Suez & UON – Litter Pick

• 2.30 – 3pm

Meet point TBC

3pm: Close

What do we mean when we say “nature based solutions” and why are they so important for tackling and understanding climate change?

Come along to listen to, and chat with, local organisations and charities who do vital work in our environment! Find out more on how you can get involved with them or even in your own time! Nature based solutions include many things from planting more trees, installing green roofs, wetlands to store rainwater, creating habitats for increasing and enhancing biodiversity (looking after our beautiful wildlife!). If you have ever wondered why this is important and really want to better understand how important our environment is, be sure to visit the expo and talks outlined below:

Introduction to Nature Based Solutions and Climate Change – Dr Janet Jackson

• 10.00 – 10.15am

Expo area, Ground Floor, Learning Hub

UON Student – The Hedgehog Society fundraiser cake sale!

• 10am – 3pm

Expo area, Ground Floor, Learning Hub

RSPB Fundraiser stall

• 10am – 3pm

Details TBC

Woodland Trust – Community Engagement and Urban Work

• 10.30 – 11.00am

Owls Nest, Learning Hub

UON – Dr Ebenezer Laryea: “Ecocide – Is it time for international law to punish those who damage the environment?”

• 11.00 – 11.15am

Owls Nest, Learning Hub

Northampton General Hospital – Health and Sustainability

• 11.30am – 12pm

Owls Nest, Learning Hub

UON – Nature Based Solutions tour of Waterside Campus with Dr Janet Jackson and External Services Manager, John Howes!

• 12 – 1pm

Tickets available via Eventbrite

“Save Weekley Hall Wood” Campaign! Join Green Party councillor Dez Dell for a talk on the importance of campaigning for climate change and the campaign to protect a local nature site!

• 1 – 1.30pm

Owls Nest, Learning Hub

UON – Pot A Plant!

• 1 – 3pm

Come along to pot a plant to take home!

Environment Agency – Nature in Northampton

• 1.30 – 2pm

TBC

UON – Dr Simon Sneddon: “Climate Justice and why we need to influence change”

• 2 – 2.30pm

Owls Nest, Learning Hub

North Northants Council, Greenway Development – A Workshop

• 2.30 – 3pm

Owls Nest, Learning Hub

3pm: Close

Energy is all around us and we use it for just about everything! But what impacts does this have on climate – and how? We hear lots in the news about ‘Net Zero Carbon’, ‘Renewables’, ‘Fossil Fuels’ and carbon emissions and it can often be confusing. However, energy generation and consumption is one of the biggest contributors to global climate change! It can sometimes seem difficult to imagine how turning lights on or running hot water could have an impact . . . come along to the expo to find out more and listen to specialist talks on how we are working towards low carbon energy!

Introduction to Energy and Climate Change – Danielle Bird, UON Energy Officer

• 10.00 – 10.15am

Ground Floor, Learning Hub

Smoothie Bike and Sound System Bike – Use your own energy to make your own smoothie or play some of your music in the Learning Hub!

• 10am – 3pm

Gazebo, outside Learning Hub (weather-dependent)

Travis Perkins – Building for Better in the construction sector

• 10.30 – 11.15am

Owls Nest, Learning Hub

Drax – A journey from coal to renewables and the future of carbon capture and storage

• 11.30am – 12.15pm

Owls Nest, Learning Hub

Bioregional – Developing a low carbon community

• 12.30 – 1pm

Owls Nest, Learning Hub

UON – Kardi Somerfield: ‘Greenwash Stinks’ – How to avoid misleading eco-credentials in your marketing communications

• 1.15 – 1.45pm

Owls Nest, Learning Hub

UON Energy Centre Tour – a tour inside the ‘power tower’ and the story of Waterside’s own low carbon district heat network

• 2 – 2.45pm

Tickets available via Eventbrite

3pm: Close

A joint event from the University of Northampton and the Circular Economy Club (CEC) 3 Counties

Join us at the University of Northampton during COP26 and share solutions and experiences of how circular economy solutions and practice can help reduce carbon and help fight climate change. We will be focusing on the experience and expertise of businesses, the education sector, local authorities, charities and consumers in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire.
Come along to find out how you can get involved in our region!

Introduction and Welcome – Gilli Hobbs, CEC 3 Counties

• 10am

Combating Climate Change with Circular Economy Solutions – Margaret Bates, Executive Director, OPRL and Visiting Professor, University of Northampton

• 10.05am

Circular Economy Roundtable – Panel Discussion

• 10.30am

Compered by Gilli Hobbs, this is an opportunity to ask questions to the panel and discuss circular economy solutions at national and international level

Panel includes:

Margaret Bates, Executive Director, OPRL and Visiting Professor, University of Northampton;

Fiona Charnley, Co-Director, CE-Hub, the UK’s national interdisciplinary circular economy research centre;

David Greenfield, Managing Director, SOENECS and Vice President, Circular Economy Institute.

Break, exhibition and networking

• 11.15am

Circular Economy Showcase

• 11.30am

A More Sustainable and Circular Food System – Robin Burgess, West Northants Sustainable Food Place
Designing for the Circular Economy – Philip Mossop, Chief Operating Officer, Pentatonic
Circular Thinking for the Healthcare Sector – Clare Topping, Energy and Sustainability Manager, Northampton General Hospital

Circular Economy Design Challenge Showcase

• 12.15pm

Students entering CEC 3 Counties Design Challenge showcase their entries

Climate Change Poetry

• 12.45pm

David Laing, Pro Chancellor, University of Northampton

Closing Presentation

• 1.15 – 1.30pm

John Sinclair, Dean of FAST – Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology, University of Northampton

1pm: Close and networking

Tickets for this event are available via Eventbrite