COP26: What are we doing to help tackle climate change?

Climate change is a term that has been used for well over a decade; it explains the irreversible damage humans are causing our planet, yet we are still plummeting towards a crisis. In recent years, the conversation surrounding the climate change crisis has been dominating headlines all over the world. With the world heading back towards its pre-pandemic state, 2021 has seen vast wildfires, catastrophic flooding and scorching temperatures, highlighting the urgency of a global change. 

By now you probably will have heard of COP26. COP26 is the 2021 United Nations climate change conference, held in Glasgow, attended by most of the world leaders in an attempt to tackle the climate change crisis. But what actually is the point of it? Well, the idea behind COP26 is to gather world leaders to create an agreement on how to tackle the crisis by 2050, including reducing deforestation, methane levels and committing to a 1.5 degree global rise in temperature. 

What are we doing at Northeastern University London to help tackle climate change? 

Our brand-new campus at Devon House has been built to be as sustainable as possible. The design and build of our campus prioritised products that were manufactured with renewable energy sources, contained recycled materials and were locally sourced. Following on from this, the campus also participates in a recycling programme in association with the landlord with the aim of recycling 100% of the building’s waste. 

Northeastern University London is committed to making our campus as sustainable as possible. See below for some of the sustainable choices we have already made: 

• The furniture and joinery is predominantly sourced from local UK manufactures, keeping our carbon footprint as low as possible
• The wall panel fabrics are created entirely from post-consumer recycled plastic. They are created from the SEAQUAL INITIATIVE, designed to combat marine plastic pollution and achieve a waste free environment
• Our classroom flooring is carbon neutral across its lifespan with more than 80% recycled and bio-based content
• All pinnable surfaces consist of 91% natural materials and are manufactured solely using renewable energy sources
• We’re reducing our environmental impact with intelligent lighting control systems

How can the Northeastern University London community help? 

Whilst this conference shows that it is less of individual action and more to do with large companies and governmental action, we can all do small things in our day to day life that can help make a difference. For example, students and staff are encouraged to use their own reusable cups for hot or cold drinks, milk is supplied in glass bottles which can be easily recycled and all members of the community are encouraged to use the separate bins for general waste, food waste and dry mixed recyclables.

COP26 is a major breakthrough in global action towards climate change and if the last few years have shown anything, it is that there is always more we can do to tackle the climate change crisis. Northeastern University London is committed to doing everything we can to help ensure a cleaner, greener world for future generations.