detailed schedule

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9:30 - 10:15

Kimmeridge  KG01 Lecture Theatre 

Bournemouth University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alison Honour, and recently elected local MP, Jessica Toale, join the organisers and Lois Betts, from Bournemouth University Sustainability Manager to welcome attendees, explore the aims of the event, outline progress being made by our hosts in their net-zero journey, and set out the expectations for the day .

Chair: Mark Chivers, Zero Carbon Dorset (and Chair of the Dorset COP Organising Team) 

Morning sessions will generally run from 10:30 until 12.00, Late Morning from 12:15 to 13:15 and Afternoon from 14:00 to 15:30, however please check exact times for each activity as timings vary.

Details for all sessions are set out below, separated into 

· Interactive Sessions

· Business Related (open to everyone)

· Workshops

· Talks & Presentations.

10:30 – 15:30    Fusion Building Atrium

Displays from a selection of Dorset’s community groups and campaigns.

10:30 – 15:30       Fusion FG07

Professor Anna Feigenbaum & Dr. R. Lyle Skains from Bournemouth University’s Centre for Science, Health and Data Communications Research.

Open all day with overview presentations at 11:00, 12:00 & 13:30. 

Learn to make your own climate-change-based story game while gaining knowledge about best practices around storytelling styles to reach different audiences and demographics

Join this interactive “booth” to explore interactive digital narratives (IDNs) intended to educate and effect positive behaviour change around climate change. The demos are based on the You & CO2 programme (http://youandco2.org), which uses reading and writing IDNs to engage secondary school students with climate-related issues. This approach will appeal to a public audience, and may be of particular interest to teachers, parents, communicators, and policymakers, as well as young people. 

Participants will be able to play the bespoke IDN from the project, along with student games created during workshops, and have a go at creating their own climate change story games using IDNs and other digital/social media stories themselves. 

In addition to the named contacts, BU students in health/science communication, and interactive storytelling, along with other colleagues from the research centre, will be in attendance to share knowledge and experiences.

10:30 – 15:30     Kimmeridge K103

Rachel Parsons – What if Department

Sessions starting on the hour throughout the day

Join us for a LEGO Serious Play Session (+ Arts) to explore the future. Bring your imagination, your creativity and your hands! We'll be using LEGO to small-up complex, difficult problems, look at them from a different angle, and imagine better and eco-BIMBY (Beauty In My Back Yard). To extend the brick-fectiveness we'll be capturing creations partly on paper as well as LEGO (or we'll run out).

Rachel Parsons has worked in sustainability and behaviour-change for over 20 years. She's explored this through schools, tourism and leadership coaching. She has a particular interest in the use of playful approaches and methodologies to increase positive engagement and outcomes to emotional and heavy subjects. 

10:30 – 13.00      Fusion FG04

Izzy Chalk & Elena Cantarello  - Bournemouth University 

Pre-booking required - please add your name here

In order to take action and build solutions, we first need to understand the problem. 

Climate Fresk is a powerful tool for providing a quality climate education. By activating the group’s collective intelligence, Climate Fresk workshops enable participants to take ownership of the subject matter. The Climate Fresk methodology doesn’t involve an expert presenting information to the group; instead, it requires all participants to take an active role in the building-up of the Fresk, becoming participative learners. As participants link the causes and effects of climate change, they are able to take a step back and understand the systemic nature of the challenges.

10:30 – 13:15   Kimmeridge KG01 Lecture Theatre

Dorchester Transport Action Group

With the Local Transport Plan currently in preparation jointly between Dorset and BCP council, this is the perfect time to be discussing Dorset’s future Transport System and how we can help change it to reduce its carbon footprint and better serve the people of Dorset.

This session, engaging with local Transport Action Groups, community groups, Dorset and BCP councils, will ask what we would like Transport in Dorset to look like in 10 years’ time and how do we get there. 

Areas under discussion are likely to be wide-ranging and could cover everything from active travel, through local authority control of buses, 20 mph zones, electric and autonomous vehicles, through to joining it all up!

Expect expert speakers, local stakeholders, councils and members of community groups leading each session in this full morning event.

10.30 – 12.00 Fusion Inspire Lecture Theatre  

Defashion Dorset

Ever wondered what goes on at a People’s Assembly? Have your say in our Fashion Assembly: “What should young people in Dorset do to combat the unsustainable fashion industry and what support do they need?”

Speakers:

Sara.K.Arnold

Co-founder of @fashion_act_now (FAN). Sara convenes the collective knowledge of FAN to bring projects into fruition and lectures on Defashion and system change.

Zoe Gilbertson

A fashion ecologist and tex­tile systems designer, Zoe explores how livelihoods focusing on collaboration, ecology and bioregionalism can support placed-based fibre and textile economies and work fairly for people and the ecosystems in which we reside.

Penelope Norman

As the Course Leader and co designer of the first UK-based MA Digital Fashion Innovation at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB), Penny aims to embed digital fashion into the fashion design curriculum and support conscious working methodologies.

 Jennifer Morisetti

Founder of @defashiondorset with the aim of bringing farmers who produce fibre together with makers, to promote a local clothing culture.

Also set up Hawkers Re-Creatives offering upcycling and repair workshops as well as a clothing library, garments to swap and natural fibre secondhand clothes.

10:30 – 12:00   Fusion FG02 Share Lecture Theatre

Dorset Community Energy

In this session DCE will look at how communities can work together to retrofit their homes and community buildings, asking how can communities take a lead in reimagining retrofit programmes in Dorset?

By the end attendees should be able: 

· To understand the range of options for deep retrofitting our housing.

· To understand the process of assessing, designing and commissioning of built fabric improvements and energy efficiency installations.

· To have explored how the community sector can help address skills shortages in this area.

· To have discussed how the range of organisations active in this field can work together more effectively.

· To have learned about the potential to use natural, sustainable, low-carbon materials in retrofit

12:15 – 13:15   Fusion FG02 Share Lecture Theatre

Dorset Community Energy

Dorset is a national leader in the development of community renewable energy, starting with the establishment of Dorset Community Energy in 2013, Energy Local Bridport in 2020 (the first example in England of low-cost local renewable electricity supply to households using the existing grid) and the Hazelmead Co-housing project in Bridport (currently the largest electricity microgrid in England linking 56 new homes, supplying electricity through rooftop solar panels and a central battery). By the end of the session attendees will understand the road map to the development of these projects, achievements to date and barriers to similar projects in other areas of Dorset.

12:15 – 13:30   Inspire Lecture Theatre - Fusion

Planet Wimborne

There's a growing realisation (from campaigners and academics) that the societal changes we need can only be achieved if communities are actively engaged in the process of understanding the issues and developing appropriate solutions.

This approach will be even more important from a resilience perspective if (when) we start to face the real challenges of climate change. While we are not on the 'front-lone' like, say, Bangladesh or Pacific Island states, we are vulnerable to extreme weather events, sea-level rise and risks such as the collapse of global food supply chains. It's been shown that the communities that coped best (i.e. looked after their vulnerable) during Covid were those whose community groups stepped up to help. These were most effective where existing groups, especially those of a mutual aid nature, already existed

In an ideal world these groups would spring up everywhere, organically, created by knowledgeable citizens keen to work with fellow residents to face up to the challenges we face. In many places they already have. 

This session explores how some of Dorset’s successful community groups were created and developed; providing anyone keen to start or develop their own group with the ideas and structures already used.

Whether you’re interested in thematic approaches (e.g. repair cafes, nature-based campaigns, community gardens) or a geographic network in your local area, this is the opportunity to start putting together the plans you’ll need to make it happen and/or make it grow!

1. Learn from existing community groups on how to get started and grow

2. Think about how you can build networks with like-minded groups

3. Consider how your groups(s) can have influence at a local and regional level

13:45 – 15:45  Fusion FG02 Share Lecture Theatre

Feeding Dorset Partnership supported by Help & Kindness.

NB This session starts before the end of the lunch break.

Celebrating Dorset’s membership of the Sustainable Food Places network and giving support to the multitude of food projects, in and around Dorset who are contributing to the sustainable food agenda across the county. Enabling collaboration between partnerships to 2 build strong relationships to help take forward the six identified themes across the Feeding Dorset Partnership.

Enabling attendees to share their experiences and interests around sustainable food in Dorset and using these insights to help develop the six themes outlined by the Feeding Dorset Partnership. 

Attendees will be part of creating and developing a mechanism to capture their ideas and suggestions to help promote and support an inclusive and open approach to a Dorset-led and Dorset-wide Good Food Movement. 

The Feeding Dorset Partnership is a member of the national Sustainable Food Places network.

The session aims:

· To build a better understanding of what’s happening and what’s possible. 

· To build a list of Projects and insights to create a directory and network of people and organisations.

· To create an opportunity for people to share and collaborate together to help form a strong web of partnerships across Dorset ensuring a win-win for all.

The session aims for delegates to leave wanting more and with one clear action item as a takeaway.

14:00 – 15.15   Kimmeridge K101

Let’s Go Zero

'Climate Action Plan' is a phrase that is increasingly heard in business and education circles (indeed, the Department for Education expects all schools to have a Climate Action Plan in place by 2025) but what does it actually mean, how does it help, and what does it look like?

Come and join this interactive workshop hosted by Let's Go Zero, to answer all your questions! Let's Go Zero work with schools to support them on their sustainability goals and to create Climate Action Plans. Hear more about the free support Let's Go Zero to schools, MATs and local authorities and leave with lots of ideas for your Climate Action Plan. 

This workshop is ideal for anyone from education settings (from nurseries through to further education) as well as local authority staff who work with schools or on climate. It's also relevant for any business, as much is transferable and applicable to most organisations! 

14:00 – 15:30     Fusion Inspire Lecture Theatre

Zero Carbon Dorset & This Living Place

As noted above for ‘creating and building your community group’, the changes we need can only be achieved if communities are actively engaged in the process of understanding the issues and developing appropriate solutions. We can’t achieve this acting alone, or even alone in our own groups. 

While over the years, a loose coalition of groups has come together for specific events and campaigns, BCP lacks a formal network that can amplify our individual endeavours and, perhaps most importantly, engage with the Council. Sustainable Dorset and Dorset CAN (Dorset Climate Action Network) can provide several of the tools needed for networking, but many feel BCP lacks its own dedicated coalition.

This inaugural assembly aims to set out the challenges and opportunities, before opening the session to everyone to agree just what type of organisation we want. Please note, this isn’t an attempt to create a new group, we are aiming to avoid as much bureaucracy as possible.

The session aims to answer the question:

How can we best ‘sign-up’ to something, work together and engage with the Council and other local bodies when needed?

10:30 – 10:35    Kimmeridge Marconi Lecture Theatre

Emily Fripp Founder of Efeca

Emily is the Founder and Director of Efeca (a certified B Corp since 2023) and has worked for more than 20 years in the field of natural resource economics, specialising in sustainable use and trade of natural resources and agricultural commodities.  

10:35 – 11:10    Kimmeridge Marconi Lecture Theatre

A brief introduction by each session leader of their session.

11:00 – 12:00   Kimmeridge Marconi Lecture Theatre

Nick Whitnell – Daring Works

An exploration of how our belief system shapes our world, both internally and externally.  The session looks at aligning our deeper beliefs, values and soulful perspectives with the B Corp philosophy and how this framework can lead to measurable, positive impact.

Nick Whitnell is a purpose-driven independent consultant and coach. With a passion for aligning personal beliefs with business activities, Nick has guided organizations through transformative journeys, including through his role as a ‘B leader’ and their pursuit of B Corp certification. 

12:00 – 12:45   Kimmeridge Marconi Lecture Theatre

Lizzie McManus – Warrior PR Agency

This taster session is ideal for small or medium sized organisations who would like to lower their carbon footprint. Whether you’re the organisation’s owner, the operations or facilities manager, or a concerned employee, this workshop will give you some easy, quick win takeaways that will lower your carbon footprint and promote a sustainable working environment.

Lizzie McManus is the Founder and Director of Warrior Agency. Founded in 2021, Warrior Agency supports organisations as they transition to a more sustainable future. Offering a range of services including Green Audits, consultancy, advice, and resources, Warrior Agency is passionate about creating more eco-compassionate and healthy working environments. Warrior also offers a range of PR and communications services to the third sector and ethical organisations. 

12:45 – 13:15    Kimmeridge Marconi Lecture Theatre

Ian Burger 

How to invest responsibly and sustainably. A talk plus Q&A with Ian Burger, currently Head of Stewardship and Integration at a UK pension fund. He spent 24 years at Newton Investment Management as Head of Responsible Investment, Head of Stewardship and Head of Corporate Governance.  He is also the Board Chair of the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN).  

11:00 – 11:30  Kimmeridge K101

Pedro Aspiazu - CP Project Manager, Local Area Energy Plan

Dr. Mili Shrivastava, Deputy Head of Centre for Sustainable Business Transformations

As the UK government implements national Net Zero plans, policies and actions, the business community must be ready for decarbonisation challenges and opportunities.

11:30 – 12.30   Kimmeridge K101

Prof. Gelarah Roushan – Bournemouth University 

This workshop will explore how AI accelerates sustainability through digital transformation, looking at how advanced analytics augment resource management, reduce emissions, and enable climate modelling. Participants will learn how AI supports sustainable practices in key areas such as circular economies and smart cities, driving both environmental and economic benefits. The workshop will highlight AI's role in green investments promoting sustainable consumption. Through case studies and discussions, attendees will gain insights into how AI can be leveraged across industries to create sustainable, data-driven business strategies that address global challenges.

12:30 - 13:15  Kimmeridge K101

Circular Economy

John Twitchen - Stuff4Life

Producer Responsibility for everything starting with batteries and clothes

John Twitchen is an environmental sciences graduate and Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) from Bournemouth. John set up the first specialist environmental communications agency in the UK; more recently he founded circular economy company Stuff4Life which has developed technologies and business models that support and underpin circular economies for challenging materials. 

14:00 – 15.00    Kimmeridge Marconi Lecture Theatre

Emily Fripp – Founder Efeca, Nick Whitnell (B-Corp leader), David Matthews – Maia Growth,

Nikki Barry – Sustainability Manager Organix, James Dixon-Box – Marsham Court Hotel

A panel discussing the importance of sustainability in business including B Corp

Emily Fripp is the Founder and Director of Efeca (a certified B Corp since 2023) and has worked for more than 20 years in the field of natural resource economics, specialising in sustainable use and trade of natural resources and agricultural commodities. 

Nick Whitnell is a purpose-driven independent consultant and coach. With a passion for aligning personal beliefs with business activities, Nick has guided organizations through transformative journeys, including through his role as a ‘B leader’ and their pursuit of B Corp certification. 

David  Mathews is the co-founder of Maia Growth, a certified B Corp since 2023. He works helping local and independent food & drink firms to be better businesses. David also chairs the Steering Group for Dorset Skills Hub which provides support to young people, educators and employers on the transition into work.

Sustainability manager at Organix. Nikki Barry has been part of the Organix team for 12 years, and for the past three, she’s passionately led their Sustainability agenda. Her dedication has helped weave sustainability into the heart of the business, while inspiring and guiding the whole team on their shared journey to becoming a B Corp.

James Dixon-Box is a part owner and Operations Director of the Marsham Court Hotel, one of the most accessible hotels in the UK. His role includes a huge focus on CSR, employee welfare and sustainability. In recent years, the hotel has won many national awards for their diversity and inclusion, not only with their guests, but also with their employment practices.

Amber Harrison  Co-founder FOLDE. Before becoming one of the co-founders in 2020 of award-winning nature-themed bookshop FOLDE, Amber worked in sustainability in the corporate world for close on two decades. FOLDE has a strong focus on sustainability and the environment and became a certified B Corp in April this year. Amber still advises businesses on implementing sustainability into their strategy through her work as a consultant. 

10:30 – 13:15    Fusion FG06

A selection of leading academics and activists share their thoughts, research and experiences. Dip in and out from other workshops and activities to catch the sessions that interest you.

10:30 – 11.00      Fusion FG06

Dr Kevan Manwaring - Arts University Bournemouth

Sharing from his research from his recent monograph from Palgrave Macmillan, Writing Ecofiction: navigating the challenges of environmental narrative, and from a walking and writing wellbeing project based in West Dorset, ‘Green Words’, which he led in 2023, Kevan will explore how the written and spoken word can raise awareness about environmental issues while empowering people and re-enchanting the landscape. 

Drawing upon a range of poets and novelists, such as Thomas Hardy, Alice Oswald, John Cowper Powys, John Clare, and more, he will ask how writing, reading, and publishing can be ecological acts.

Dr Kevan Manwaring is a writer and academic. He is the Course Leader in the MA Creative writing and Senior Lecturer at Arts University Bournemouth, and convenor of the annual Writing the Earth programme, exploring environment issues through creativity with talks, workshops, and readings. A BBC/AHRC New Generation Thinkers 2022 finalist, his research focuses on Fantasy, ecology and ecofiction. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He is the author of The Long Woman, Writing Ecofiction, Desiring Dragons, and editor of Heavy Weather: tempestuous tales of stranger climes (The British Library) as well as collections of folk tales for The History Press. An academic consultant for BBC 4’s The Secret Life of Books and contributor to Free Thinking (BBC Radio 3), he blogs as the Bardic Academic. 

11:00 – 11:30      Fusion FG06

Dr Tom Chivers – Media Reform Coalition 

Exploring how the media has set and misled the narrative on climate change, despite clear scientific evidence of the issues we face, Tom will share his research and calls from the Media Reform Coalition for a more democratic, diverse and independent media to end the abuses and concentration of media power which have failed, not just the climate emergency, but the very fabric of our democracy.

11:30 – 12:00   Fusion FG06

Rachael Brown MA Senio Lecturer in the School of Architecture, Art and Design, University of Portsmouth

Inspired by Dorset COP 2023 and Rob Hopkins' From What is to What if, Rachael created an MA Interior Architecture module which encouraged students to design imaginative, freestanding structures to revitalise derelict city sites and engage and activate communities. Their work explored themes of joy, play, social justice, and activism through creative methods like collage, zines, and artists' books. The project shows how ‘hope’ can restore a sense of agency and optimism; it also demonstrates that events like the COP can have unexpected and positive outcomes.

12:00 – 12:30    Fusion FG06

Councillor Belinda Bawden - Dorset Climate Action Network

This session will explore how we can best link everything our local politicians can do with community and county-wide initiatives to connect, cascade and catalyse community action to reduce our carbon impacts. 

Hear too from The Great Collaboration, a network of individuals and groups supported by the SLCC (Society of Local Council Clerks) and NALC (National Association of Local Councils) developing a national resource hub, support and advice on community-based climate and nature recovery action. 

Carbon Literacy is “An awareness of the carbon costs and impacts of everyday activities and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions, on an individual, community and organisational basis.”

Dorset Climate Action Network (DCAN) has been awarded funding from the Carbon Literacy Community Pot and is pleased to offer monthly training and accreditation workshops for town and parish councils and community groups in the Dorset area.

The Carbon Literacy Project is globally unique – there is nothing else quite like it anywhere. It was recognised as such by the UN at COP21, in Paris, where it was awarded as a TAP100, one of 100 worldwide Transformative Action Programs.

https://carbonliteracy.com/about-us/

12:30 – 13:00    Fusion FG06

Laura Baldwin - Olympic sailor turned environmental protector.

One of our 2023 keynote speakers, Dorset’s own Laura Baldwin is back to talk about her specialist area, sport. Exploring sustainable sport and the work she’s doing with Sport England; Laura will share her thoughts on the recent BBC Green Sports Awards and Sport Positive conference among other sport related endeavours.

13:00 – 13:15      Fusion FG06

Truth in Ten  

Be part of a presentation that’s aiming to reach more than 1million people this year. An updated, compressed, hard hitting 10-minute version of former US Vice-President Al Gore’s presentation originally covered in the 2006 film “An Inconvenient Truth”.

13:30 – 15:30 Fusion FG06 

You and your group!!

NB Starts during lunch

It’s over to you or your group this afternoon to have your say!

Stop Portland Waste Incinerator are kicking off at 13:30 after which sessions will be open to anyone who has pre-booked their 10-minute slot on the flip chart outside the room (available from 09:00)