Nine researchers from the University will attend the Blue Zone at COP26, the UN Climate Change summit, to observe the negotiations that will be fundamental to securing the future of our planet.
They will ensure that Manchester plays a role in driving a successful COP26, by supporting attending governments, businesses and civil bodies and providing them with the academic insight to guide decisive action.
They will also use the negotiations to inform their own research, ensuring Manchester continues to play a leading role in the development of real-world solutions.
Manchester is one of only a number of UK universities awarded Blue Zone passes to COP26, a result of its long-standing The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) observer status.
The researchers who will attend over the course of the two-week Summit are:
- Professor Kevin Anderson, Professor of Energy and Climate Change
- Dr Jenna C. Ashton, Lecturer in Heritage Studies in the Institute for Cultural Practices
- Dr Christopher Jones, Knowledge Exchange Fellow at Tyndall Manchester
- Professor Alice Larkin, Professor of Climate Science and Energy Policy and Head of School of Engineering
- Dr Sarah Mander, Co-Director for Research at Tyndall Manchester
- Professor Carly McLachlan, Professor of Climate and Energy Policy, Director of Tyndall Manchester and University Academic Lead for Carbon
- Professor Matthew Paterson, Professor of International Politics in the School of Social Sciences
- Dr Joe Ravetz, Planning & Environmental Manager at the Manchester Urban Institute
- Dr Stephanie Sodero, Lecturer in Responses to Climate Crises in the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute.
The diverse expertise of this delegation, spanning social science and engineering, reflects the unique depth and breadth of our world-leading research. This expertise is drawn together in Sustainable Futures, which brings together Manchester’s innovative, interdisciplinary approach to environmental research.
Colette Fagan, FAcSS, Vice-President for Research explained: “I am delighted that our University will be represented at this important event by this strong delegation of researchers, selected from the many disciplines and research groups that are committed to helping solve the climate crisis and influencing the COP26 agenda.”
This attendance at COP26 is just one example of how the University 600+ researchers in energy, climate change and sustainability are catalysing climate action. The impact of their ongoing work has been recognised in our number one Times Higher Education University Impact ranking; while other key activities include:
