Dorset COP: Community-Led Climate Conference
Dorset's own community led 'conference of the parties'
Hear what Chris Packham has to say about the Dorset COP (click on the image) or discover more below...
What is Dorset COP?
Dorset COP (Conference of the Parties) is Dorset’s very own opportunity for the community to have its say on the climate and ecological crises. By bringing together a wide cross section of community-based groups from across the county we aim to raise awareness of the need and desire to act locally, in a way that puts people at the heart of decisions and is socially just.
What does it aim to achieve?
By connecting a diverse range of groups,
the COPs aim to raise awareness among our leaders of the scale of support for action across the county and forge even greater links between those already leading, creating, designing and implementing community-based solutions. We hope this will enhance and support the network of community-based environmental and climate-change organisations in Dorset. It has now become an annual event.
Why a COP?
Many are now familiar with the term ‘COP’ after COP26 in Glasgow, COP27 in Egypt and the nature summit, COP15, held in Montreal in December 2022. This was Dorset’s own version – a ‘Conference of the Parties’ to which organisations were invited to play their part. Like the UN COPs, it not only focused on the core actions required on climate and the environment, such as energy, transport and land use, but also on all the associated issues around what we eat, the state of our oceans and how we deal with climate justice and what we can do individually and collectively to make a difference. Unlike the UN COPs this one was led by the community.
Who pays for it?
The organisers and supporting partners all contributed funds and / or services of commercial value to enable the event to take place. Attendees are asked for a nominal contribution to secure their places and help cover costs. Any surplus funds generated are used to help organise follow up events.
The organisers are particularly grateful to the organisations who helped by sponsoring events.
Event Organisers
2026 Supporters
Attendees have included
