Hartpury University and Hartpury College will host a Food and Farming Climathon on Tuesday 18 and Thursday 20 February 2025. The two-part event is aimed at developing local food systems in the Forest of Dean, enhancing food and farming connections and collaborations, and considering ways to reduce waste all along the supply chain to minimise environmental impact.
This is the third of three Climathons organised in partnership with Forest of Dean District Council and Forest of Dean Climate Action Partnership. Their Climathon events are registered as part of a global Climathon movement, organised by EIT Climate-KIC.
Climathon events bring people together to raise awareness and inspire local action. By including people with a range of expertise, the events provide a space to develop ideas and solutions, grow networks, and gain new knowledge. The Climathon will be ideal for those with experience in farming, growing, waste and resource management, food redistribution, circular economy, policy, sustainability, or simply anyone who eats food in the Forest of Dean.
Moving to more circular food systems provides opportunities to reduce waste, increase efficiency, and both mitigate and adapt to climate change. Meanwhile, there are huge opportunities for greater collaboration between producers and consumers, with a need for local routes to market for sustainable products. Previous Climathon events in the Forest of Dean have led to successful funding applications, and the ideas that have emerged are helping to inform council strategy.
Event format
The event comprises of two parts, first an online webinar held on Tuesday 18 February (09:30 – 11:00) to hear more about food and farming in the Forest of Dean, begin to share ideas for developing circular and climate-friendly systems, and have time for questions.
The second part will be held in person at the Hartpury College Learning Centre (CLC) on Thursday 20 February (09:15 – 16:30), including lunch, a farm walk and guest speakers.
The organisers will provide support and facilitation, with the goal that by the end of the day, participants will have developed a set of potential solutions which use collaborative approaches to reduce waste and enhance connections within the Forest of Dean's food system.
The event is open to everyone and is free to attend. Register via Eventbrite here.
Climate and sustainability matter at Hartpury University and College
Climate change and sustainability are strong themes running through many of Hartpury University and Hartpury College’s academic programmes. In particular, students studying degrees including BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and MSc Biodiversity Conservation have a strong interest in finding ways to address the challenges presented by a changing climate and its impact on the environment. In recent years, students and staff have been engaged with research projects including an equine carbon calculator, sustainable dairy herd index, and the construction of sustainable sport clubhouses.
Sustainability is embedded in the Hartpury 2030 Strategy as an underpinning theme, reflecting the importance of developing our estate and growing our curriculum in line with a sustainable future.
