As the conference was held, the University was working through the final stages of developing and publishing the new Environmental Sustainability Strategy. The Strategy was published in December 2021. It reflects who we are and reflects our community leadership. The Strategy will ensure a strong legacy of impact beyond COP26.
Read more about the events our community led throughout COP26 below. View our Facebook and Twitter to see everything we communicated throughout the 2 weeks of COP26. If you have any ideas or suggestions of work we can take forward please contact us at environment@napier.ac.uk
Beyond COP26 (6-7 October)
Edinburgh Napier University, in partnership with Anderson Strathern and WSP, organised and hosted Beyond COP26 on 6 and 7 October 2021.
Beyond COP26, a virtual summit and business conference, featured talks from inspiring, straight-talking global experts with insight and advice on how to transform business for a sustainable future around five key focus areas: Clean Energy, Carbon Neutral Transport, Nature-Based Solutions, Adaptation and Resilience and Climate Finance.
Together with handpicked leading figures from across industries, Beyond COP26 also showcased applied sustainability research in partnership with business – from construction to natural capital, Smart Cities to ESG – facilitating round table discussion to achieve cross-sector innovation.
Read the Beyond COP26 Conference Programme.
What is COP26, why does it matter, and what can I do about it? (26 October)
One week before COP26 we invited students and staff to attend a workshop held at our Sighthill campus to find out more about COP26 and find out why the two week conference was so important.
We heard directly from young Kenyan women, visiting Scotland for COP26 through the Association for Coastal Ecosystem Services (ACES). We heard their perspective of living in communities vulnerable to and already affected by climate change. We discussed how natural ecosystems such as forest and peatlands can help reduce the pace and effects of climate change.
Led by the Chair of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy Group (ESSG) and supported by the Environmental Sustainability Manager, we talked about the University’s plans for responding to the climate emergency. We also considered what we can all do, as individuals, citizens and members of Edinburgh Napier University, to make our voices heard at COP26 and beyond.
Faith and the Climate Crisis (1 December)
The Interfaith Network held the Faith and the Climate Crisis event on Wednesday 1st December. View our Twitter thread from the event here.