Welcome to the first in our monthly ‘Countdown to COP’ series, where we will be exploring climate change research, events and expertise across our University ahead of the next COP climate change summit in November.

The department of Earth Sciences is the lead on the large, interdisciplinary research project entitled “The Geothermal Energy from Mines and Solar-Geothermal heat (GEMS)”, which will explore the geological, engineering, social, and economical aspects of extracting geothermal heat from water in abandoned coal mines.

The Durham University led Geoptic has signed an R&D collaboration agreement with CGG to jointly research and assess a novel borehole solution for monitoring the spread of CO2 in subsurface storage sites for Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS).

DEI Director Joanna Berry interviewed for Power Technology Magazine analysis article 'EU energy policy: world-leading, insufficient, or both?'

Jeroen van Hunen has been elected as President for the Geodynamics division of the European Geoscience Union Geodynamics.

Professor Jon Gluyas (Director of Durham Energy Institute) is leading a new initiative bringing Industry and Academia together to advance the role of geothermal energy in the energy transition: the newly formed Geothermal Energy Advancement Association (GEAA).

With this reopening, the Consulate General in Edinburgh, as a part of the Spanish Embassy in the United Kingdom, fulfils two important objectives. Firstly, it is once again present in a vibrant city with a large Spanish community and many links with Spain. Secondly, it reinforces its network of honorary consulates, which also includes Glasgow, Aberdeen and Belfast.

Durham quasar physicist Vicky takes Silver Medal in parliamentary scientific research competition. Victoria Fawcett, a postgraduate research student at Durham University has won Silver for the excellence of her physics research in a national competition, receiving a £750 prize and a medal.

A world-leading Durham cosmologist has been recognised as being “of Nobel class” for his work on the evolution of the universe.

Zoe Tongue comments on the recent ruling by Poland's Constitutional Court which will lead to a near-ban of abortion in a country which already has one of the most restrictive abortion regimes in Europe.

A group of academic experts, including Durham University Anthropology's Professor Simone Abram, calls for more attention to the justice implications of the transition to a post-carbon economy.

by Sarah Cotes, Diploma student at Durham University