Coventry University Vice-Chancellor speaks at global climate summit COP28 in Dubai

Coventry University’s Vice-Chancellor has spoken on how today’s youth can make a real difference at the global climate summit COP28. 

Professor John Latham CBE spoke on Monday, 4 December, as the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change – COP28 – is held in Dubai until 12 December. 

The event, which was part of the Green Education Hub looking to promote concrete actions and solutions through education, was entitled Empowering Youth to Become Climate Action Change Agents and was attended by students and higher education representatives from across the world. 

Prof Latham told guests that there is no better time than now to involve young people in critical conversations around climate change as they are the leaders and policy makers of the future. 

Coventry University is helping society to shift to net zero through its impactful research into green battery technology, hydrogen fuel and future transport. Its commitment towards tackling climate change is also showcased through a number of projects, including the Clean Futures programme, which is supporting small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop new technology for green transportation in the UK, and the relaunch of the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME), which is playing its part in the transition to electric transport manufacturing through innovative teaching and research at its Faculty on the Factory Floor base in the city. 

Prof Latham also highlighted Coventry University’s ongoing efforts towards the cause including the university’s net zero plan heading towards 2030, being ranked as a Gold Tier University in the Uswitch Green University Report 2023 and recently winning the prestigious Bees’ Needs Champions Award 2023 for the university’s dedication to creating a biodiverse campus.

Also speaking at Monday’s event were Professor Mohamed Loutfi, President and Vice-Chancellor of The British University in Egypt, Alessandro Fracassetti from the United Nations Development Programme and the UN’s Climate Change High Level Champion, Mahmoud Mohieldin.

Find out more about COP28.