Dorset COP (Conference of the Parties) is Dorset’s very own opportunity for the community to have its say on the climate and ecological crises. By bringing together a wide cross section of community-based groups from across the county we hope to raise awareness of the need and desire to act locally, in a way that puts people at the heart of decisions and is socially just.
By connecting a diverse range of groups, committed to a common cause (“The Declaration” see below), it aims to both raise awareness among our leaders of the scale of support for action across the county and forge even greater links between those already leading, creating, designing and implementing community-based solutions. It is hoped this will enhance and support the network of community-based environmental and climate-change organisations in Dorset and that this networking event will become an annual event.
Many are now familiar with the term ‘COP’ after COP26 in Glasgow, COP27 in Egypt and the nature summit, COP15, held in Montreal in December 2022. This is Dorset’s own version – a ‘Conference of the Parties’ to which organisations are invited to play their part. Like the UN COPs, it not only focuses on the core actions required on climate and the environment, such as energy, transport and land use, but also on all the associated issues around what we eat, the state of our oceans and how we deal with climate justice and what we can do individually and collectively to make a difference. Unlike the UN COPs this one is led by the community.
The event will take place on Saturday 9th September 2023 at Corn Exchange, Dorchester from 9.30 – 17.00 (registration from 9.00). Information on the location and accessibility can be found here. For further information and to register head here.