COP31: useful information for colleges and universities

What is COP?

COP, the Conference of Parties, is the UN’s annual climate change conference. It brings together countries to analyse progress on tackling climate change and negotiate new measures.

This year is the 31st edition of the event, COP31.

It will be held in Antalya in Türkiye from 9 to 20 November.

We'll update this page regularly as new developments and opportunities arise before and during COP31.

Why does it matter? 

Since the first meeting in Germany in 1995, the event has grown into one of the largest international gatherings aimed at advancing collective climate action.

It’s not just for politicians and diplomats.

The conference is also a major convening point for civil society organisations, businesses, regional authorities and local communities who attend to influence formal and informal negotiations, share knowledge and discuss effective practice.

It’s estimated that over 3,000 sessions will take place at COP this year in areas themed by country or topic known as “pavilions.”

This year, there will be dedicated Higher Education Pavilion within the Blue Zone for institutions to showcase how they are advancing climate action through education, research, innovation and community engagement.

The media attention that the gathering attracts is often considered just as important as the negotiations.

As the UN states: “COPs offer an opportunity to raise the level of attention to the threat of climate change, reflecting the fact that without the private sector, civil society, industry and individuals on board, the world will not be able to adequately tackle the climate crisis.”

What has COP achieved? 

One of the most significant outcomes of COP was the 2015 Paris Agreement which committed countries to limiting global warming to below 2°C and ideally, 1.5°C.

Under the agreement, each country is required to develop and maintain a national climate action plan and commit to “carbon budget targets”, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). The UK’s NDC target is to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81% by 2035.

Countries also agreed to report progress through the Global Stocktake. This check-up is carried out every five years and the second will begin at this year's COP in Antalya.

Why does this mean for education?

There are two main ways that COP could influence your work in education:

1. Climate policies and reporting requirements

In the UK, the Paris Agreement helped drive policies and legislation that are supporting the transition to net zero. This includes mechanisms such as the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) Regulations which require colleges in England, alongside other organisations, to publicly report their energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and related information.

2. Education and climate action

In recent years, there has been growing recognition that tackling climate change requires more than technological and policy solutions: people also need the knowledge, skills and opportunities to put these solutions into practice.

Education has a place within the UN climate framework through Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE), the formal part of the negotiations which cover education, training, public awareness, public participation and access to information. 

Education has been identified by this year's COP31 Presidency as one of this year's ten priority themes: Children, Youth, Education and Skills.

The Children, Youth and Education Skills Day is on Saturday 14 November.

How you can get involved 

Whether you are attending COP31 in Türkiye or following developments remotely, your institution can stay informed, connected with peers and part of sector-led activity.

Stay informed

If you're looking to follow negotiations and emerging themes at COP31, the following resources provide useful analysis, background briefings and updates on key issues to watch throughout the conference: 

• RINGO, Second Nature and the University Climate Change Coalition - Key issues to Watch at COP31 (Webinar)
• The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit - COP31: What Lies Ahead?
• United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) - COP31 Resource Hub
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) – Education for Climate Action at COP31

Connect with the higher education community

• If you’re traveling to Türkiye, a dedicated Higher Education Pavilion will be hosted within the Blue Zone, providing a platform for institutions to showcase how they are advancing climate action through education, research, innovation and community engagement. The full pavilion programme will be announced shortly.
• Those working in higher education and planning to attend COP in-person can also join the HEROs (Higher Education Research Organisations for Climate Action) COP31 WhatsApp group to connect with peers, discuss practical arrangements and collaborate on activities and events throughout the conference.

Get involved in key sector initiatives

• EAUC, in collaboration with the Higher Education Climate Network of Networks, is inviting institutions to demonstrate leadership on sustainable AI by endorsing the Antalya AI pledge .
• The Green Digital Action initiative will be hosting a range of digital and AI-themed events during the conference.
• The Greening Education Partnership (GEP), UNESCO's global initiative to help make every learner climate-ready, is also expected to have a presence at COP31. Planned hybrid activities include work on the Antalya Protocol for Action, alongside the launch of new working groups, guidance and opportunities for sector engagement.
  
• IUCA, in collaboration with partners, will be hosting a series of in-person dialogues on the role of universities in delivering Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE). Those confirmed so far are:
• ACE as the Driver of Climate Action: Measuring Progress through Global University Leadership (Higher Education for Climate Action Pavilion; 10 November, 10:15-11:15) - Exploring indicators, benchmarking and data partnerships to measure universities' contribution to ACE.
• Universities Advancing Action for Climate Empowerment (GAUC Pavilion; 14 November, 14:00-15:30) - Bringing together universities, policymakers and UNFCCC partners to explore how education, evidence and partnerships can strengthen ACE implementation.
• Education to Action: Universities Advancing ACE (Finland Pavilion; 14 November, 4pm to 5pm) - Examining how ACE, evidence and partnerships can build climate capability, skills and action across higher education.

Join online events and discussions

• Join Learning for Sustainability Scotland, the University of Edinburgh and the British Council, for ‘Live at COP31’, a free facilitated online learning opportunity which will explore insights into the key issues being discussed at COP.
• Register for EAUC and IUCA’s joint online webinar on 25 November: From campus to community: how can universities and colleges drive climate action through partnership? Open to all, this session will explore the role of partnership working in advancing climate action within and beyond higher and further education.
• Join IUCA’s 24-hour online Editathon on 11 November, bringing together students, universities and researchers to improve and expand climate-related knowledge on Wikipedia.