UWTSD is the first university to sign up as a Climate.Cymru partner

Climate Cymru invites organisations and individuals across Wales to engage with the campaign which aims to take the views of 50,000 voices to COP26, the UN environmental summit to be held in Glasgow in November. The University has already joined a number of Universities and organisations in Wales to declare an environment emergency. In addition, UWTSD has embedded sustainability as a core principle in its planning.

In its literature, Climate Cymru notes: “As the impacts of climate change escalate, a lot is at stake both in Wales and around the world.  As hosts of COP26, it is especially important for the UK Government to show leadership in combating climate change. Wales has an important part to play, and the campaign aims to make sure the Wales and UK governments are showing leadership with meaningful, evidence-based, and just commitments at COP26. A key focus is to ensure that the often under-represented areas and demographics of Wales have a meaningful opportunity to contribute and are considered as we make the changes to our society that we need to”. 

By joining the Climate Cymru campaign the University will have the opportunity to engage with COP26 as part of the campaign’s communication and advocacy programme.

Professor Ian Walsh, Swansea Campus Provost and Head of the Institute of Sustainable Practice, Innovation, Research and Enterprise (INSPIRE) and said: “UWTSD is committed to supporting the global efforts to transition to a zero-carbon economy. Sustainable practice is the foundation upon which all our innovation, research and enterprise is built. Integrating the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in the education of current and future generations is essential if we are to deliver the vital changes necessary to address the climate emergency.”

Professor Dylan Jones, Deputy Vice-Chancellor said: “UWTSD’s mission is to transform education so that we can transform the lives of the individuals and communities we serve.  Sustainable development is a key planning principle within the University which has been embedded throughout our campus, curriculum, culture and community. 

“We are delighted to be the first University to sign up to this campaign. Joining organisations who are committed to addressing the climate emergency is integral to the University’s transformational approach.  We recognise that urgent action is needed and that every effort, no matter how small, can make a positive difference to wellbeing of the planet and to the wellbeing of future generations.”

Sam Ward, Climate.Cymru’s campaign manager added: “I am very happy to have UWTSD as a partner of the Climate Cymru, the first higher education institution to get behind the campaign. Universities represent an important segment of society, and with their influence have an opportunity to impact the speed and scale of the response to the climate and nature emergencies. We hope UWTSD’s involvement will inspire their students, staff and other universities to engage with this campaign, as we build up to COP26, the pivotal environmental summit later this year.”

For more information regarding Climate.Cymru, please visit: https://climate.cymru/partners-directory/university-of-wales-trinity-saint-david/