In its first public lecture of the 2021-22 academic year, Lancaster University invited members of staff, students and the public to an open panel discussion to kick start its COP26 Festival. The festival, intended to spark debate and engage people in sustainability issues, marks Lancaster University’s commitment to environmental challenges, both within and beyond its campus. From students to corporations, the talk highlighted that whatever your perspective on climate change, true action begins with each one of us.

In light of this, Lancaster University held the talk as the first of a series of in-person and online events which form its COP26 Festival, held in the run up to COP26 in Glasgow. COP26, which refers to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, is a meeting of global leaders to discuss future climate policies. COP26 will be held from the 31st October-12th November 2021 and is expected to be attended by a huge range of stakeholders. To capture people’s interest in COP26, Lancaster University has similarly arranged a variety of events, designed to interest as many people as possible in sustainability and wider environmental debates.

The COP26 Festival began on the 19th October with its introductory lecture and following question and answer session. This talk provided fascinating insights into the broad range of perspectives that frame climate change discussions. To highlight this, the opening lecture included a series of 10-minute presentations by a range of panellists, each of which will be discussed below.

The talk began with an enthusiastic introduction from Professor Andy Schofield, Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University. In his introduction, Andy highlighted the purpose of the COP26 festival, which is intended to showcase leading research on the environment. The ‘virtual floor’ was then opened up to Professor Jess Davies, the Director of the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation, who have worked with over 700 businesses on environmental initiatives.

Professor Jess Davies’ talk was particularly enlightening as she introduced what COP26 is and what it intends to do. Through this, Jess questioned whether talking about climate debates is enough and was hopeful that COP26 will result in more immediate climate action. In particular, Jess introduced the Climate Action Tracker to the audience. This online tool is open to anyone and allows people to see where we are currently at in terms of our emissions and warming.

Right now, we are exceeding 1.1°C of warming but are edging closer to the dangerous 1.5°C limit. Perhaps then, we should see COP26 as more than a set of talks attended by climate leaders. Instead, COP26 and the COP26 Festival are opportunities for us all to learn about the climate. For as Jess explained, real climate action will not be taken by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Leonardo di Caprio or other activists in the media. Real action will be taken by those who need it most - communities.

The Climate Action Tracker Thermometer (Image: Climate Action Tracker)

Building on this, Professor Simon Guy provided an informative summary of what Lancaster University is doing to address the climate crisis. As the Pro-Vice-Chancellor Global and lead for sustainability at Lancaster University, Simon explained how the University has made significant steps to reduce its carbon emissions. From proposals to install a new wind turbine to its declaration of a climate emergency in November 2020, Lancaster University is clearly looking to the future. For example, the climate emergency declaration recognises that humanity is in a state of environmental crisis and current ways of living cannot continue as they are.

Simon also gave a personal example of how he is seeking to reduce his travel emissions on an upcoming trip up to Leipzig in Germany (where Lancaster University has a campus). He explained that by taking the train his carbon emissions will be reduced by 80% compared to air travel. This is perhaps a lesson to all of us that multiple options exist and previous norms, such as flying, do not have be the future we face.

The next presentation was led by Professor Jan Bebbington, Director of the Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business. Jan provided an interesting perspective on higher education in UK. Could bringing more international students to UK campuses raise carbon emissions or indirectly reduce them, by teaching international students how to live in a low-carbon way? This was the key to the debate discussed by Jan, who was particularly hopeful.

For despite what the media may suggest, Jan explained that ‘there is a lot to be said about the UK’s approach to tackling climate change.’ Whilst transport to the UK is a concern, international students can observe good carbon management when they study here and learn how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Whether through observing sustainable food production, heating or transportation, the UK can help educate the wider world on sustainability. This is surely an interesting perspective. If the aim of the COP26 at Lancaster festival and the COP26 summit is to share knowledge, this is clearly an example of the potential that working together can have.

The spirit of sharing knowledge and working as a community was then further highlighted by Darren Axe, manager of Green Lancaster. Green Lancaster aim to adopt sustainable practices across Lancaster University, working with the University and the Students’ Union. In this respect, Darren introduced the audience to the inspirational and diverse projects that Green Lancaster are involved in. Whether it is planting trees, growing fresh produce or gardening, you’re sure to find Green Lancaster out and about on campus. They can perhaps be an inspiration to us all to adopt more sustainable practices in our everyday lives, no matter how small.

An advertisement for Green Lancaster near Alexandra Square on campus at Lancaster University.

The EcoHub Orchard on the south-west of Lancaster University’s Bailrigg Campus. The EcoHub Orchard is a project run by Green Lancaster which planted over 150 fruit trees between 2011 and 2015.

The idea of collaboration was then discussed by Millie Prosser, a student at Lancaster University, climate activist and co-founder of Lancaster Youth for the Environment. Millie’s perspective was one of critique and forward-planning. As someone who successfully campaigned for the declaration of a climate emergency, Millie presented key issues that exist in our future policies. How can we move forward if we don’t have access to reliable, transparent data? How can climate issues really take centre stage when investments in fossil fuels continue? How far can we celebrate our achievements when so little long-term change has been realised? These were all questions provoked by Millie, who I’m sure as many of the audience will agree, brought refreshing and alternative ideas to the discussion.

Some key points to take away from the opening lecture are that debate is healthy and climate change is an issue to be tackled together. Connecting with others to develop climate solutions is our only way forward and everyone has a role to play. Whilst universities and corporations must set an example, each one of us can make a difference through our everyday lifestyles. Progress has been made, but more must be done. For as Professor Andy Schofield closed the lecture, COP26 at Lancaster is only the ‘start of something bigger’.

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