Category: Resilience

South West Schools Sustainability Gathering to take place at UWE Bristol this July

Author katcorbett | Posted on

Schools and Trusts across the region will come together on Thursday 2 July for the first in‑person South West Schools Sustainability Gathering, hosted at UWE Bristol’s Frenchay Campus. The event is part of a growing regional effort to accelerate climate and nature action in education settings and strengthen collaboration between schools and sustainability support providers.

The Gathering is convened by the South West Sustainability Network, led by Corinium Education Trust, and brings together partners including Let’s Go Zero, Climate Ambassadors, and a wide range of organisations working to support schools on their sustainability journeys. As the South West Climate Ambassador Hub Lead, UWE Bristol is partnering with the network to enable deeper exchange, shared learning, and practical action.

Schools across the South West are increasingly developing Climate Action Plans, yet many face similar challenges: limited capacity, fragmented support offers, and the need for clear, practical guidance. This event aims to address those challenges by creating a space where school sustainability leads can learn from one another and connect with the organisations best placed to support them.

Objectives

  1. Support schools to develop and implement their Climate Action Plan.
  2. Bring together the ecosystem of providers to enable a joined‑up approach to sustainability support.
  3. Share best practice for climate and nature action in education settings.
  4. Enable accelerated climate and nature action in communities through connected education programmes.

Event details

Thursday 2 July UWE Bristol Frenchay Campus Z Block, School of Engineering

12:30–13:30

Lunch and Networking Atrium, Z Block

13:30–15:00

Welcome to the Gathering Presentations from sustainability providers including:

  • South West Sustainability Network
  • Climate Ambassadors
  • Let’s Go Zero
  • National Education Nature Park
  • Green Schools Project
  • Ministry of Eco Education
  • West of England Primary STEM Network – Inspire Green Futures
  • Careers Hubs

15:00

Break

15:15–16:00

Accelerated Climate and Nature Action A discussion session led by the Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership

16:00–17:00

Hybrid Session – School‑Level Audit and Action Planning Guidance and dedicated time for school leaders to complete a baseline audit and action plan for their setting, led by the South West Schools Sustainability Network.

17:00

Networking

Registration

Attendance is free. Schools and Trusts across the region are warmly invited to join.

Register here

UWE Bristol to host People’s Emergency Briefing screenings this May

Author katcorbett | Posted on

This May, UWE Bristol will host two screenings of the National Emergency Briefing film, inviting business leaders, staff, students and local residents to engage with the latest evidence on the climate and nature crisis. These events aim to support informed, constructive conversations about the scale of the challenge and the urgent actions needed to secure a better future for our region.

The National Emergency Briefing brings together leading scientific voices to present a clear and measured overview of how the climate and nature crisis is already affecting everyday life in the United Kingdom. First delivered to politicians and influential figures in Westminster in November 2025, the evidence is now publicly available. It reveals a crisis that is more serious and immediate than many people realise.

The film combines authoritative scientific content with personal reactions from members of the public and familiar voices. It sets out the risks facing every constituency, including impacts on health, food systems, infrastructure, security and economic stability. It also highlights the significant benefits of bold and urgent government action, offering a pathway to a safer and fairer future.

The initiative is supported by organisations such as the National Trust, the Church of England, Exeter University, the Royal Meteorological Society, WWF and the National Education Union. It is explicitly non-partisan and aims to foster informed democratic discussion so that Parliament and the public share a common understanding of the scale and urgency of this challenge.

Event 1: Business Leaders Screening

Friday 15 May, UWE Bristol Frenchay Campus, Bristol Business School

This session is designed for business leaders across the West of England who want to understand how the climate and nature crisis will shape the operating environment for organisations in our region.

Schedule

  • 8.30 am: Business breakfast and refreshments (Room 3X110)
  • 9.00 am: Film screening (45 minutes, Room 2X242)
  • 9.45 am: Panel discussion (45 minutes)
  • 10.30 am: Networking
  • 11.00 am: Close

The panel will explore what the evidence means for businesses locally, including risks, responsibilities and opportunities for leadership. Speakers include:

  • Luke McCullough, Senior Public Policy Manager at Aviva
  • Professor Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the National Heat Risk Commission and former Chair of the London Climate Resilience Review commissioned by the Mayor of London

Register for the Business Leaders event

Event 2: Community Screening

Monday 18 May, Bristol Business School, Room 2X112, UWE Bristol Frenchay Campus

This community screening is open to staff, students and local residents who want to understand the latest evidence and explore what it means for our shared future.

Schedule

  • 12.00 pm: Film screening (50 minutes)
  • 12.50 pm: Panel discussion (40 minutes)
  • 1.30 pm: Close

The panel will bring together UWE Bristol experts whose work spans climate action, circular economy and community wellbeing:

  • Kirsti Norris, Head of Carbon and Energy, UWE Bristol
  • Roger Griffiths, Associate Lecturer UWE Bristol, Author and CEO of Creative Connex
  • Dr Miles Thompson, Associate Professor in Psychology, UWE Bristol
  • Dr Ben Williams, Senior Research Fellow: Air Quality Management Resource Centre
  • Kat Corbett, Head of Circular Economy, UWE Bristol

About the community discussion

Each screening is followed by a structured and locally focused conversation. These discussions are designed to be constructive and solution oriented, helping people process the information emotionally and engage meaningfully. By bringing communities and decision-makers together around the same evidence, the programme aims to spark informed dialogue at both local and national levels.

Register for the Community event

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