Join the discussions to tackle the biggest climate questions

Over four days we’ll consider the challenges at the forefront of the climate crisis, providing a forum to share innovative solutions to drive urgent change.

Free, online and open to all, our festival will unite policymakers, industry, academics, students, practitioners and members of the public to consider, debate and address the issues facing us on a local, national and global scale.

With each day dedicated to one of the four COP26 goals – mitigation, adaptation, finance and collaboration – we’ll share our insight and identify ways to accelerate progress together.

Take a look at the agenda and register to book the talks you’re interested in.

11 October 2021: Mitigation

How do we secure global net zero?

Climate change impacts are widespread and intensifying. However, strong, sustained reductions in carbon emissions will help to limit climate change.

Join as we discuss innovative solutions, and address: How do we speed up the energy transition? How can we fast-track decarbonisation? How do we accelerate exploration into transformational technologies?

Register

• What can cities do about decarbonising consumption? (10am–11am)

• What is the role of carbon capture and storage in future energy systems? (10am–12.30pm)

• Can we save the world one plastic fork at a time? (11am–12pm)

• How do we get from here to net zero? (11am–12pm)

• How can nuclear energy contribute to realising net zero? (12pm–1pm)

• Super-low carbon live music: how can the UK live music sector play its part in tackling the climate crisis? (1pm–2pm)

• Is our future green? What role does green infrastructure hold in addressing climate change in cities? (2pm–3pm)

12 October 2021: Adaption

How can we protect our communities and natural habitats?

Extreme weather is affecting every continent. The seas and atmosphere are warming at unprecedented rates. Some of the consequences are irrevocable.

Today, Manchester researchers will share solutions to help protect communities and natural habitats.

Join our experts at the forefront of change as they outline how to build physical and social resilience.

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• Nature recovery, collaboration and creativity: lessons from Greater Manchester’s post-industrial landscape (12pm–1pm)

• ‘Net zero’ teaching and learning (2pm–3pm)

• How will climate change affect our health? (3pm–4pm)

• How can we shift the discussion from adaptation to transformation and what does justice have to do with it? (3pm–4pm)

• Sustainable food systems: what are the two sides to the story? (4pm–5pm)

• What can the past teach us about our future? (5pm–6pm)

• Extreme weather: how can we protect our communities? (6pm–7pm)

13 October 2021: Finance

How do we finance change? 

We need to mobilise trillions in private and public sector finance to power us towards net zero, and to manage the increasing impacts of climate change. This means we need to ensure every financial decision takes climate into account.

Today, we’ll be sharing approaches to transform the way we think, and drive the financial revolution required.

Register

• Can greening the economy drive productivity? (10am–11am)

• What should an effective green recovery look like? (11am–12pm)

• How can accounting save the world? (2pm–3pm)

• How do you teach accounting to generation Greta? (3pm–4pm)

14 October 2021: Collaboration

How can we turn ambition into reality?

We need to collaborate across sectors, cultures and countries to help to drive the transformation needed – from the way we heat our homes and travel, to how we adapt to the ever-changing environment. By working collaboratively we can deliver progress, faster.

Join us as Manchester experts share insight and case studies to empower action and raise ambition.

Register

• How do we tackle UK energy poverty in a changing climate? (10am–11am)

• How should culture address the climate and ecological emergency? (11am–12pm)

• What does the history of COPs tell us about the prospects at Glasgow? (12pm–1pm)

• The North West’s Nuclear Capability: introducing the North West Nuclear Arc (1pm–2pm)

• Why isn’t sustainability more diverse and what can we do about it? (2pm–3pm)

• Resilience 3.0: how to join the eco-dots? (4pm–5pm)

• Turning fusion from a dream to a reality (5pm–6pm)

• What role can communities play in supporting local resilience to climate emergencies? (5.30pm–6.30pm)

• Virtual Climate Gallery: how do the arts enable conversations around climate change? (6pm–7pm)