Responding to our changing climate: the College of Science & Engineering at COP27

The annual United Nations climate change conference (COP27) began yesterday in Egypt, starting two weeks of intense negotiations between countries from all over the world. The conference will be seeking renewed solidarity and action in order to deliver the landmark Paris Agreement and shape our climate future for planet and people.

The University of Edinburgh has official observer status, which enables some of our researchers and students to attend and potentially influence the outcomes of COP27. A small number of staff and students from the College of Science and Engineering will be attending COP27 in person, while others will be influencing climate change initiatives at home.

Dr Sian Henley: influencing change through research

Dr Sian Henley, a Reader in Marine Sciences, will be leading an event with the Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) on the importance of protecting the ecosystems of the Southern Ocean from climate change and direct human impacts. She will also be participating in two further events, including one on the impacts of climate change on children as part of a collaboration with UNICEF.

The polar oceans are significantly affected by climate change, but are also extremely important in terms of combatting climate change,” explains Dr Henley, “We’ll be bringing together people and organisations who have an interest in the Southern Ocean and building on the discussions we began at COP26 about the urgent need to protect this uniquely important ocean.

My work also considers the impact of climate change on children, who are particularly vulnerable to its effects. Our research highlights the challenges that we are likely to face as a result of climate change, while Dr Gary Watmough applies these risks to children in different socio-economic circumstances in different countries around the world
Dr Sian Henley
Reader in Marine Sciences

This research by Dr Henley and Dr Watmough, with Dr James Mollard, Dr Massimo Bollasina and the Data for Children Collaborative, contributed to a recent UNICEF report which focusses on the impact to children from a rise in the frequency, duration and severity of heatwaves and extreme high heat conditions. The report estimates that by 2050, all of the world’s 2.02 billion children are expected to be exposed to high heatwave frequency increasing the chance of health problems including chronic respiratory conditions, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Heatwaves can also affect children’s environments, their safety, nutrition and access to water, and their education and future livelihoods.

Dr Henley's COP27 events (YouTube livestream links)

Multiple Threats to Polar Oceans. Thursday 10 November, 13:00.

Southern Ocean ecosystems: need for augmented understanding, research efforts and protection. Thursday 10 November, 18:00.

Professor Dave Reay: shaping climate change activities at home

While Professor Dave Reay, Executive Director of Edinburgh Climate Change Institute won’t be attending COP27 in person, he will influencing COP27 activities taking place across Scotland and the UK.

I have mixed feeling about not attending COP27 in Egypt this year - as I don't fly it was clear attendance was nigh impossible, COP27, like all such global climate meetings now, is crucial in terms of ramping up climate action and getting the world as close as is possible to meeting the Paris climate goals.

The delegation from the University of Edinburgh has an important role to play in supporting governments and negotiators to make robust decisions and pledges that reflect the emergency we are in. It’s inspiring to see the swathe of events and initiatives that University of Edinburgh colleagues will be championing at COP27.

While the University of Edinburgh delegation takes part in activities in Egypt, Professor Reay will be leading and shaping campaigns in the UK, designed to inform and inspire others to take action on climate change.

The first day of COP27 sees the launch of 'Green Careers Week', a huge initiative in which Edinburgh is a core partner, and which aims to deliver green careers advice and support for thousands of schools across the UK,” says Professor Reay, “On 10 November we will launch 'Protecting Our Planet Day' - another wonderful partnership with government, leading education providers, the BBC and other which will see tens of thousands of school pupils across the UK find out more about climate change and what we can do about it.

Running throughout COP27 and beyond is also our new open access climate change course 'Climate Solutions Egypt' - another great partnership, this time with Ain Shams University in Cairo - that promises to engage and empower many thousands of learners on climate action. So, though COP27 will be Scotland-based for me, it may well be just as busy as COP26 was. For the world and all our futures, the stakes at these COPs only get bigger.
Professor Dave Reay
Executive Director - Edinburgh Climate Change Institute

Green Careers Week

Protecting our Planet

Climate Solutions Egypt MOOC - Explore the effects of climate change with a specific focus on the risks and challenges faced in Egypt.

Professor Reay's blog post on COP27

Professor Alexander Tudhope and post-graduate student, Henry Ibitolu: representing the University of Edinburgh

PhD student, Henry Ibitolu, will be attending COP27 and speaking on behalf of the University as part of a panel of experts representing the U7+ Alliance. The U7+ is an international alliance of universities, who engage in discussion and commit to concrete actions by their organisations in order to tackle some of the most pressing global challenges, including climate change.

My research is exploring the effect of heating in cities and how we can change the materials used in our buildings in order to mitigate urban warming, without the need for air conditioning. Prior to this, I studied meteorology and sustainability. I applied to go to COP27 as part of the University’s delegation and was delighted to be chosen to attend.
Henry Ibitolu
PhD student

Professor Alexander Tudhope, will be attending COP27 in his capacity as the University’s Lead on Climate Responsibility and Sustainability.

As a University, we should be using our research and expertise as evidence to help decision makers shape our response to climate change and its effects. We have a long history of influencing and shaping climate policy and decision making. I’m delighted to see our staff and students continuing this work through participation at COP27.
Professor Alexander Tudhope
Chair of Climate Studies, School of Geosciences

Find out more

To find out more about our activities at COP27 and the work our researchers are undertaking in the area of climate change, follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, visit the Edinburgh Earth Initiative or read about the difference that our research is having on Edinburgh Impact.