OxCOP returns to Oxford Town Hall

As nations gather in Brazil for COP30, pupils from 18 schools across Oxfordshire packed out the Council Chamber at the Oxford Town Hall for the second Oxfordshire Conference of the Parties – or, ‘OxCOP’.

Organised by Magdalen College School with the Oxford Schools Sustainability Network (OxSSN), the event on Thursday 6 November ran as a model ‘conference of parties’ and offered the 100 pupils an opportunity to debate and negotiate resolutions aimed at tackling climate change.

‘Delegate’ pupils from participating schools joined their MCS peers and acted as member countries to debate resolutions on topics including climate refugees and human rights, ecosystems and agriculture, oceans, energy and resources, industry and development, and reparations.

They heard from Oxford University’s Climate Society and listened to a key note from Henry Mance, award-winning Chief Features Writer at the Financial Times and author of How to Love Animals and Protect Our Planet. Henry’s speech looked at why we see so much inaction and considered the critical population mass required to bring about change. Discussions contended with the grim realities of climate change – the first tipping point having just been passed (it is now too warm for coral reefs to survive) – but also the power of people to claim the future they want from the hands of industry, and Henry encouraged pupils to keep speaking up for the world they want.

Throughout the day, tense negotiations ensued as delegate teams navigated the trade-offs between climate and more immediate societal concerns – in addition to a less than co-operative US team! Slick action by the ‘fossil fuel lobbyists’ also meant little progress was made in the energy sector, with the lure of cheap fossil fuel energy and the expense of further green tech R and D meaning support for draw-down resolutions was scant. Nonetheless, the parties did manage to reach consensus on a number of important agreements and were able to pass an international treaty to phase out single-use plastics, with signatories from all except Indonesia and the EU. Very ambitious!

Lydia Wainwright, MCS teacher of Chemistry and Sustainability Lead, said:

“Our changing climate is set to impact every area of our pupils’ lives and futures, and as such we owe them a sound grounding in climate science and its interactions with politics and economics. OxCOP is a great opportunity to build their understanding in a light-hearted way, and to equip them with the knowledge and confidence they need to seek change.”

Partner school leads said:

“All our students mentioned last year’s COP in their personal statements!”

“Thank you so much for organising another fantastic OxCOP. The Swan students attending gained an incredibly valuable experience!”

“It has expanded their view of climate action, and gave them so many new opportunities; speaking to an audience, negotiating with new people, even visiting a local historic building and using the space!”

“OxCOP is a highlight of the year and something that younger years are now looking forward to as it is advertised to their older peers. The students were buzzing with enthusiasm as they left, it is a testament to your work and your wonderful team of students.”

“It was an absolutely brilliant event today – our students loved it and I was so impressed with everything that happened – amazing organisation, and also so amazing to see how brilliant the students all were.”

Thank you to the pupils who helped organise the conference, our speakers and all participating schools:

Abingdon School, Cheney School, Fitzharrys School, John Mason School, Kingsdown School, Larkmead School, MCS Brackley, Oxford High School, Oxford Spires Academy, Radley College, St Clare’s Oxford, St Edward’s School, St Helen and St Katharine, The Marlborough School Woodstock, The Oxford Academy, The Swan School, and Wheatley Park School.