Isle of Man students have been gaining an insight into the global impact of climate change through a series of mock COP26 conferences.

The mock conferences, run by the One World Centre also illustrated the difficulties of securing international agreements on climate action.

Working in teams, students were asked to represent a wide range of countries from the most climate vulnerable such as Bangladesh to heavily industrialised nations like USA and China.

Together they were tasked with evaluating progress to date, attempting to raise ambition on the response from the international community and putting forward resolutions that can be agreed at a global level.

The conferences have so far taken place with Year 12 students at King William’s College (KWC)and with Year 10 students at QEII High School. More will take place at Castle Rushen High School this Friday, and Ramsey Grammar School in the coming weeks.

Wendy Shimmin, coordinator of the One World Centre, said: ’The mock conferences provide an excellent opportunity for students to learn about how climate change affects different countries in different ways and how this shapes their response to action on climate change. They also learn how often it is the countries who emit the least greenhouse gases that are most vulnerable and how difficult it is for fragile economies to cope with climate change mitigation and adaption.

’There are valuable lessons too about working collaboratively and cooperatively with countries who many have very different priorities to each other, and the need to try and find consensus on topics such as deforestation, renewable energy, transport and pollution to move us forward.’

KWC geography teacher and sixth form tutor Amy Clarke said: ’Mock COP26 was a fantastic opportunity for our students to engage in the global issue of climate change.

’Within their academic studies many of the students have learnt about the science and impacts of climate change but this conference allowed them to understand this issue from various global perspectives and encouraged them to consider their role as global citizens.

’I hope that the conference has encouraged them to make positive changes in their own lives and that they continue to do so in the future for the sake of our planet.’