OXCOP Schools Conference

12 students and two staff from across the OX14 Learning Partnership enjoyed a fascinating trip to the Oxfordshire Schools Climate Conference held in Oxford Town Hall and hosted by MCS and the Oxfordshire Schools Sustainability Network. 

Aims

The event mirrored the COP29 event currently taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan. It welcomed representatives from 17 schools across the country who represented different country delegations. The OX14 students worked in cross-school groups, presenting for the UK, Chile, and Brazil delegations.  

Impact

This event embodied the values of the OX14 Learning Partnerships where students were undoubtedly challenged to step outside their comfort zone with a large group of young people they did not know. They supported one another to work towards a common goal and finally, they were inspired to participate in such a great local event and by the way so many talented young people from across the county came together to discuss and collaborate on such a crucial topic. 

 

Pupil Involvement

After a welcome talk by climate scientist and activist Matthew Shribman (CliMatt) and the MCS COP president, who gave a Road to Baku summary, students had the nerve-wracking job of planning and presenting a one-minute speech in front of everyone in the beautiful surroundings of the council chambers. They then split into subcommittees, discussing topics including climate impact and mitigation on cities, energy, forests, food, and oceans.  

Over lunch, there were further opportunities to discuss climate amendments, although these discussions were interrupted by lobbyists from the oil and fertilizer industries and protests from indigenous groups.  

Committees then had to decide on final proposals before summarising in the plenary sessions in front of the entire conference. At the end, the group live-streamed into COP in Baku before heading back at the end of a fascinating day.