COP café: connecting local action to global ambition

Date: Wednesday 19 November
Time: 2-5pm (GMT)
Location: In-person in the old cafe at ECCI

Description:

From 10 to 21 November all eyes will be on COP30 in Belém, Brazil. COP meetings bring together governments, civil society, academia, scientists, businesses, activists, and youth, and have an important influence on how climate change is tackled globally. This year’s negotiations will likely centre around finance, climate change adaptation and energy transitions.

Join us on Wednesday 19 November, 2-5pm, for our COP café event focused on bringing COP30 to Edinburgh.

Together we will examine how local action connects with global ambition. With contributions from student societies, academics and national climate organisations, there will be plenty of opportunity for discussion and insights.

Join us for:

• A welcome address on why COP30 matters for the world
• A COP explainer segment
• A panel discussion on the theme “amplifying local voices in global negotiations”
• Facilitated breakout sessions on a range of climate topics

Hot drinks and sweet treats will be available throughout.

Confirmed speakers:

Dr Sian Henley

Reader in Marine Science with strong research interests in polar ocean biogeochemistry and marine ecosystem change in both the Arctic and Southern Oceans. Sian is working on projects around global ocean change and the impacts of climate change on the world's people, with a specific focus on children. Sian attended the UN Ocean Conference in June 2025.

Dr Iain McNicol

Programme Manager for the University of Edinburgh's Centre for Sustainable Forests and Landscapes. Iain is responsible for the development of new research and teaching programmes in collaboration with partners in industry, government, and the third sector. Iain is attending COP30 in Brazil this November.

Anne-Marte Bergseng

Programme manager at ClimateXChange. Anne-Marte leads a team who connect climate change research into policy making in Scotland. Anne-Marte will join us to reflect on what is on the agenda for climate policy evidence asks in Scotland.

Registration:

This event is open to all students and staff at the University of Edinburgh. Attendance is free, but registration is required. Please book a ticket to secure your spot.

For inquiries, please contact earth@ed.ac.uk