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Sustainability Events and Open Conversations

Designed to promote and enable open conversation between panel members and the audience, these events will prompt dynamic discussion and a solutions-focussed approach whilst asking the questions that are often avoided on a range of sustainability issues. Register here to join the event.

Forthcoming Events

Jan 1

Courses: Climate Change: Transforming your Organisation for Sustainability

Monday, January 1, 2024 - 13:00 to Tuesday, December 24, 2024 - 13:00

Jan 2

Training: Free Carbon Literacy Training (OU Staff and Students)

Tuesday, January 2, 2024 - 00:45 to Tuesday, December 31, 2024 - 15:00

Our online learning starts with four hours of self-study activity, followed by four hours of interactive training, and an individual and group action pledge that leads to Carbon Literacy certification.

Previous Event Recordings

Presentation slide featuring dark blue background and image of land fire burning.

Go Green: What is eco-anxiety?

Learning about the climate and ecological crisis can be very disturbing and overwhelming. We may feel a variety of different emotions often grouped under the umbrella label of eco-anxiety. But what is eco-anxiety and how can we learn to live meaningfully with the reality of the crisis without falling apart?

8th February 2024

Employer webinar | Sustainability: Is your organisation future-ready?

Join Ayo Sokale, BBC Bitesize Presenter and Civil Engineer, alongside Dr. Victoria Hands, Director of Sustainability, and ESG Freelancer Amie Kumar.
Discover why sustainability matters to organisations, how to turn conversations into actions, and the importance of developing a solid plan.
Gain insights, ideas, and practical advice to propel your business towards a sustainable future.
Let's rise to the challenge together!

 

11th December 2023

OU x Green Infrastructure Week

The Open University is an official sponsor of Green Infrastructure Week which was held in November 2023. This year the OU held an event that asked 'What would it take for hydrogen to have a place in the UK’s net zero energy future?'

20th November 2023

NZW x OU: ‘Net Zero Skills and the Role of Universities’

The Open University is an official partner of Net Zero Week and hosted an event on 

19th July 2023

Go Green: Climate Risks with Ann Cummings

In this month's workshop, Ann Cummings (Senior Project Manager) talks about the risks that our planet faces as a result of our changing climate and how we tackle these issues. We listened to the ways our staff are adapting to extreme weather at home, in their communities and in the workplace. 

Watch the full video here:

18th July 2023

Black History Month catch up

Watch the recorded presentations from The Open University’s Black History Month event in October 2022 here.

5th July 2023

Go Green x Sustainable(ish): 50 Shades of Green

Joined by Jen Gale from Sustainable(ish), Go Green discusses the Sustainable(ish) ideas around progress over perfection when incorporating sustainable actions into our everyday lives, and some of the things we can do to change our homes and lifestyles, as well as call for systematic change.

Watch the full video here:

5th July 2023

Go Green x Sisters Against Plastic

Sisters Against Plastic (Mary and Theresa) are ‘normal people’ who noticed just how much plastic they were using. Shocked and concerned, they went on a yearlong ‘plastic diet’, tackling the everyday (and obscure) plastics in their lives. Now experts in plastic pitfalls and top tips for reducing plastic consumption, the Sisters Against Plastic inspire people to give cutting down on plastic a go and try more environmentally friendly alternatives. In this session they show us their easy swaps around the home and how you can start making these changes to go on a 'plastic diet'.

5th July 2023

Go Green x Matthew Cook: The Sharing Economy

In April 2023, The OU’s Matthew Cook, Professor of Innovation in STEM, held a Go Green session exploring the idea of consumers becoming less interested in product ownership and more interested in product use and the outcomes products achieve. Notable examples include city bike rental initiatives that satisfy the demand for urban transport, as well as garden and household maintenance tool-sharing schemes.  

Watch the full session below: 

17th May 2023
Stage showing five people seated and the Vice-Chancellor standing behind a podium. The stage is under a large screen with the title Wild Isles and an image of a puffin.

Wild Isles: behind the scenes

Wild Isles: behind the scenes was the first large-scale hybrid OU/BBC co-pro event hosted by the OU. It took the collective expertise of the Faculty of STEM, Development Office, and the Broadcast and Partnership teams to make it such a resounding success.  

27th April 2023

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