Our contribution to the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP31)

A turning point for the planet

Our contribution to the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP31)

A turning point for the planet

COP (Conference of the Parties) is the highest-level global climate summit held annually under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which was adopted in 1992.

Bringing together heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society representatives from around the world, COP serves as the primary platform for negotiating and advancing collective action to combat climate change.

Türkiye is hosting COP31 in Antalya from 9 to 20 November 2026, aiming to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate implementation.

COP31 advances along three main tracks, aiming to turn the commitments made at previous sessions into concrete implementation:

Emission targets and implementation — Countries delivering on their strengthened Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement
Climate finance — Delivering the new collective quantified finance goal set at COP29 to developing countries
Adaptation and resilience — Strengthening the resilience of vulnerable countries and communities against climate risks

The future of coral reefs is uncertain as climate change causes marine heatwaves and ocean acidification

Our COP31 academic delegation

Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS

Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS is a world-leading marine scientist at the forefront of pioneering research into the causes and effects of marine litter. He founded and heads the University’s International Marine Litter Research Unit, is a co-coordinator of the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, and was named by TIME among its list of the world’s 100 most influential people of 2025.

Professor Ian Bailey

Professor Ian Bailey specialises in the politics of carbon markets, political strategy in climate politics, the politics and practices of the green economy, and community engagement with marine and onshore renewable energy. He has worked as an expert reviewer for the IPCC and has advised the UK Environmental Audit Committee, Cabinet Office, European Commission, and World Bank on aspects of climate mitigation policy.

Dr Souran Chatterjee

Dr Souran Chatterjee is an expert in energy transitions, quantifying health impacts, impact assessment, sustainability, and climate change mitigation. He was part of the core research team that developed the first global report on climate and Sustainable Development Goal synergies for the United Nations, and his research focuses on building sector mitigation pathways and individual well-being modelling to achieve net-zero transitions.

Plastics, Health and Climate Resilience

Monday 9 November | 16:00-16:45 | Portugal Pavilion, Blue Zone

This session is part of the official pavilion programming during the UN Climate Change Conference and brings together experts to address the intersection of plastic pollution, human health risks, and strategies for building climate-resilient ecosystems and communities.

Organiser: APIP - Portuguese Plastics Industry Association

Panellists: Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS, University of Plymouth; Pedro Pais do Amaral, APIP + WUPA; Jorge Coelho, Univ. Coimbra; Ana Carrola, APA

Environmental Issue: Underwater image of Plastic in the Ocean. The location here is Phi Phi Islands, Krabi, Thailand.

The future of high well-being in carbon-neutral societies

Friday 13 November | 16:30-17:30 | Japan Pavilion, Blue Zone

Organisers: Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE), The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)

Speakers/Panellists: Keigo Akimoto, Institute of Science Tokyo; Keywan Riahi, IIASA; Joyashree Roy, SMARTS Center, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT); Nan Zhou, College of Natural Resources, The University of California (UC Berkeley)

Moderator: Dr Souran Chatterjee, University of Plymouth

Measures and policies that transform the demand side of our systems enable carbon-neutral societies that can deliver high standards of living for everyone. Reducing energy and material demand while ensuring high well-being for all is central to achieving global and local targets alike. Technological and social innovations on the demand side can speed up the transition, lower costs, and bring benefits for health, equity and development.

Drawing on scientific evidence and data from the Energy Demand changes Induced by Technological and Social innovations (EDITS) network, the session presents the frontiers of low-demand knowledge and practice. It also shows how they can inform climate policy, social development, and urban and infrastructure planning at local, national and global scales.

Explore our research

Abstract image of a hand holding planet earth with symbols around it.

Centre for DecarbOnisation, Resilience and Energy Systems

Flags in front of the United Nations building

Centre for Science Diplomacy for Environment and Society (CSD-ES)

Man fishing in small boat above coral reef, CMACS

Centre for Marine Biology and Conservation Science (CMACS)

We're a member of the UK Universities Climate Network

We are proud to be part of the UK Universities Climate Network, a growing group of over 85 universities and research centres working together to promote a zero-carbon, resilient future. Our Network enables collaboration within the UK academic sector to advance climate action nationally and internationally.

Visit the UK Universities Climate Network website for more information

Strategic Research Institutes

Marine Institute

Advancing sustainable use of the marine environment through our systems-thinking approach to research, education and innovation.

Environmental Science - view of trees in forest

Sustainable Earth Institute

Solving complex global sustainability challenges through a holistic solutions-oriented approach to research, education, innovation and knowledge exchange.