Young people from across Dorset, including some home education families will come together on Friday 13 November for the first-ever Dorset-wide Youth COP, the opening event of Dorset ClimateAction Network’s (Dorset CAN) fourth annual Dorset COP.
Hosted with support from Coastland College at its Kingston Maurward campus, and Dorset Local Nature Partnership the Youth COP will focus on Year 9 pupils, bringing them together to talk openly about the environment and climate change, share how they feel about these issues and discover how they can take action in their own way.
The day will give young people the opportunity to learn from one another, explore the issues that matter to them and feel inspired rather than powerless in the face of environmental challenges. A dedicated panel session will also introduce them to the wide range of “green” and “blue” jobs and careers that can help build a more sustainable future.
Maria Clarke, Manager of Dorset Local Nature Partnership said: “We’re really excited to be working with partners to run the first Dorset-wide Youth COP. Young people are inheriting the climate and ecological emergencies that previous generations have created and need to be given a voice in jointly developing and implementing the solutions to these issues. The Youth COP aims to raise awareness, inspire and support them to take action now and into the future.”
The main Dorset COP 2026 takes place on Saturday 14 November, also takes place at the Kingston Maurward Campus outside Dorchester. This fourth annual event brings together community groups, environmental organisations, experts and political leaders for a day of discussion and practical action. The programme will explore how Dorset can respond to climate change, nature loss, food resilience, pollution and other pressing environmental challenges.
This event is being organised by Dorset Climate Action Network in collaboration with Sustainable Dorset and Coastland College.
One of many highlights will be a “Dorset Young Voices” session, organised by Maria Clarke of Dorset Local Nature Partnership. This session will showcase a range of inspiring projects across the county that engage young people with climate and nature, giving them a voice on the issues that matter to them. It will build on the ideas and experiences shared at the Youth COP the previous day.
The main Dorset COP event showcases 24 workshops in nine simultaneous sessions covering a wide range of topics around climate mitigation, climate adaptation and nature recovery. This includes:
- Making a difference to Dorset’s rivers and beaches – help communities and river groups work together to make a difference for their local river.
- Climate-ready Communities – building Dorset’s resilience to climate impacts.
- Reclaiming our Power – developing community energy projects across Dorset.
- Food and climate in Dorset – exploring sustainable food, land, skills and community food
- initiatives.
- Making nature recovery happen in Dorset – reviewing progress on the county’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
- Dorset Greenways – Building Dorset’s rural active travel network – Introducing the network of greenways across Dorset which connect rural communities and are playing a key role in cutting rural car use and enabling more people to walk, wheel and cycle.
The programme will also feature an exhibition of over 30 local organisations and a Question Time-style panel bringing together Dorset MPs, council leaders and independent climate experts to debate how political leadership and local action can accelerate progress.
Giles Watts, chair of Dorset CAN said: “This year’s focus is how to make a lasting positive impact on Climate and Nature in your local area. We want to bring people together, listen to different perspectives and energise local communities and politicians to act more quickly on the pressing challenges we face. Giving young people a stronger voice is an essential part of what we hope to achieve.”
Dorset COP is expected to attract up to 400 people from Dorset and beyond.
Dorset COP 2026 is open to everyone, with pre-registration essential. Tickets are available on a ‘pay what you like’ basis, with a suggested price of £10.
For tickets and information, visit https://dorsetcop.info
