Reading students to take part in mock COP31 conference

More than 50 students from five local secondary schools will be taking part in a mock COP31 environmental conference in Reading next week.

While world leaders are gathering for the global summit in Antalya, Turkey, local young people will be carrying out their own UN-style debate in the council chamber in the Civic Centre.

It is the 13^th annual Schools’ Climate Conference in Reading which will be opened by Mayor of Reading, Cllr Paul Gittings, on the morning of Wednesday 18 November and include a panel of local decision makers.

The young people will form teams representing a diverse mix of developing, emerging and developed countries attending COP31. They will put forward arguments which mirror the negotiations and agree resolutions on key themes.

The second part of the event will give students a chance to talk about the work of their schools to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to change.

They will then have the opportunity to quiz a panel of local decision makers in a Climate Question Time, consisting of Reading’s Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport Cllr John Ennis and representatives of local businesses and organisations, including the University of Reading, Reading Climate Change Partnership, REDA and Reading Youth Council.

Cllr Ennis said:

“The Reading Schools’ Climate Conference gives young people the opportunity to explore the issues around climate change and gain some understanding of the complexities of global negotiations on the issue.

“The climate crisis is a huge subject that I know many young people care passionately about and I hope this event will help students to develop their interest and encourage them to play a part in positive climate action in the future.

“It is always encouraging to hear from students about the brilliant work their schools are doing around climate issues and I am always impressed by the knowledge and enthusiasm they show about the environment.”

The schools taking part in the conference are: Kendrick, King’s Academy Prospect, Maiden Erlegh in Reading, Reading Girls’ School and Reading School.

The Reading conference is part of a UK-wide Schools COP31 programme delivered by the charity InterClimate Network together with local consultancy Just Ideas Ltd.