OxCOP is back!

100 pupils from 21 Oxfordshire schools packed the Town Hall on Monday for the 2026 Oxfordshire Schools Climate Conference.

Organised by MCS in partnership with the Oxford Schools Sustainability Network (OxSSN), the third annual conference gave pupils a taste of global negotiations akin to those taking place at COP31 in Türkiye, as well as the opportunity to explore local and national climate action in support of the UK’s Net Zero targets.

Working together in ‘nation’ teams, pupils debated climate concerns relating to six themes: industry and development, law and human rights, reparations, ecosystems and agriculture, oceans, energy and resources. They developed resolutions and negotiating strategies, which they articulated and challenged back and forth on the conference floor as each sought to progress their country’s position. In common with UN COP negotiations, agreement was based on consensus, rather than voting, and with a range of climate, geographical and geo-political perspectives, passing resolutions took compromise and resilience.

We were delighted to be joined once again by the University of Oxford’s Climate Society, and our keynote speaker, Hugh Warwick, an award-winning wildlife author and campaigner, who spoke on the common etymological link between economy and ecology: from οἶκος, meaning ‘home’, hence house-keeping and house-knowledge respectively. He asked: why don’t the people in charge of house-keeping understand house-knowledge? Because we cannot have an economy without a healthy, functioning planet!

Less welcome but most realistic were the ‘delegates’ from the oil and fertiliser industries – providing a light-hearted insight into the controversy which can often surround COP events.

Overall, the experience offered a great way for pupils to deepen knowledge of the complex issues and trade-offs which can hamper global climate strategy, while strengthening and building their confidence in teamwork and communication. One pupil commented that although they’d been so nervous about public speaking and negotiating with people they’d never met before, they were so glad they did and felt proud of themselves.

Other pupils and teachers said:

• “I thoroughly enjoyed the OxCOP event, and hope this opportunity is offered to many schools and pupils as it taught me many skills. Thank you for the opportunity.” Pupil at The Swan
• “Another wonderful event, students really built their confidence over the day and have left with rich ideas, it’s so valuable to give them an opportunity to speak together independently.” Teacher at The swan
• “A huge thank you from Cokethorpe for all of your organisation. It’s an incredible event and our students thoroughly enjoyed it.” Teacher
• “This was so fun, thank you.” Pupil