Open University attending COP15

The Open University (OU) is attending COP15, The United Nations Climate Change Conference which takes place from 7 to 18 December this year.

COP15 provides an opportunity to create and realise a new global contract to reduce emissions, replacing the Kyoto protocol which is due to expire in 2012. Notable absences from the Kyoto protocol were Australia and the US, which it is hoped will change now that Barack Obama is in power.

The OU communications teams will be co-ordinating to widely cover the event via video and audio, online and print, reporting via numerous channels such as Twitter, Platform, Facebook, iTunes U, YouTube and OpenLearn (see Open University Channels link below).

OpenLearn content will be two-fold – there will be content in the LearningSpace to complement the units already available (see list on ‘Open Air Blog’ related link below) as well as new material in the LabSpace, which can be freely remixed and repurposed (in adherence to the Creative Commons license). LabSpace allows collaboration on topics, one major new project to create a space there being LLCC.

LLCC (Learning to Live with Climate Change) is a joint strategic collaboration between the Environment Agency of England and Wales and the OU. The project aims to support the development of new collaborative networks and practices required to move to a low-carbon and climate-adapted economy and society.

LabSpace also has a collaborative space for the 10:10 Climate change Campaign led by a coalition that includes the Guardian, NGOs to major companies, leading political figures, and the Carbon Trust.