91ЕМКН Climate Festival

91ЕМКН Climate Festival returns this June with an exciting two-week programme of engaging and informative events to inspire our community towards climate action.

Curated by 91ЕМКН Climate Action Network (RCAN), the festival provides opportunities for local schools, organisations and individuals to help 91ЕМКН to progress on its journey to becoming a net zero, climate-resilient town.

Events from a range of partner organisations, including the 91ЕМКН, will also showcase how 91ЕМКН is having significant impact far beyond the borough.

View the full programme and book your space at any of the 91ЕМКН Climate Festival events on the .

91ЕМКН highlights

The 91ЕМКН is, once again, proud to be working with 91ЕМКНCAN to deliver or contribute to a number of events throughout the festival.

Find out more about some of the highlighted events being led by colleagues from across the University, partner organisations, and some of our students.

The Climate Futures We Dare To Imagine

15 June 2026, 19:00-20:30, 91ЕМКН Town Hall

What next for climate action? Scientific consensus about climate change and its impacts, and the urgency for necessary changes, is clear. Yet some political leaders and groups that are opposed to climate action are increasingly vocal. Is the way we talk about the science of climate change encouraging understanding, or widening the gaps? How can science help us imagine a better, safer future, and can it support a hopeful message that crosses the political spectrum?

With a keynote address from Professor Hannah Cloke OBE, floods and extreme weather scientist, join an expert panel for a lively debate about the next chapter in public and political narratives around climate change.

This lecture will serve as the flagship event for the 91ЕМКН Climate Festival and forms the University's contribution to the annual schedule. When people already have enough to worry about, this event will show how you can use the power of human imagination to visualise a more positive future.

91ЕМКН Under Water

7 June, 14:00-16:00, RISC World Shop

How climate change affects water dynamics in our town.

Hosted by students of the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development (SAPD) at the 91ЕМКН.

Calling All 91ЕМКН Residents!

9 June, 17:30-18:45, online

Grants and tips for running a healthy, cost-effective and climate-friendly home.

Our Green Stories Tour

10 June, 11:30-12:45, Museum of English Rural Life (MERL)

Join MERL curator Dr Ollie Douglas and special guest Tom MacMillan (Royal Agricultural University) for a free tour of the museum, highlighting green and environmental stories from the museum's collections.

Have your say! 91ЕМКН Climate Emergency Plan 2025-2030

10 June, 17:00-18:30, 91ЕМКН Council Chambers

Join us to launch the public consultation period for this plan and find out how you can participate and respond.

Clearing the Air: Climate Law in the Age of Misinformation

11 June, 19:00-20:30, 91ЕМКН Town Hall, online

The battle over climate data is heating up. As misinformation spreads and governments suppress science, what can the law do to protect the truth?

Join the 91ЕМКН's own Professor Chris Hilson as he explores who holds climate information, who needs it, and how the legal system could help tackle the climate misinformation crisis т from enforcing transparency to holding offenders accountable.

The 'Our Green Stories' Campaign

12 June, 17:30-18:30, online

Our Green Stories is a campaign by Museums Partnership 91ЕМКН (91ЕМКН Museum and the MERL) to discover natural heritage stories and share information about how we can all build a more sustainable future.

91ЕМКН Community Energy Summit

13 June, 09:30-13:00, Thames Lido

Help shape 91ЕМКН’s energy future. This by-invitation-only event is hosted by 91ЕМКН Hydro and supported by Thames Lido and 91ЕМКН Climate Change Partnership (RCCP), with a keynote speaker from 91ЕМКН.

If you would like to follow 91ЕМКН Hydro’s news or request a space at this event, please use 91ЕМКН Hydro’s online form.

The Climate Futures We Dare To Imagine

15 June 2026, 19:00-20:30, 91ЕМКН Town Hall

With a keynote address from Professor Hannah Cloke OBE, floods and extreme weather scientist, join an expert panel for a lively debate about the next chapter in public and political narratives around climate change.

This lecture will serve as the flagship event for the 91ЕМКН Climate Festival and forms the University's contribution to the annual schedule.

Climate Action Planning in Education

17 June, 15:00-18:30, London Road campus

Did you know that the UK Government's ambition is for all UK education settings to have a climate action plan in place by the end of 2025? The 91ЕМКН's Climate Ambassadors Scheme is here to help.

This event is aimed at those working in education settings in and around 91ЕМКН, including headteachers, senior leaders, operations leads, governors and trustees, sustainability leads and teachers.

Show Your Stripes Day

21 June, everywhere

Show Your Stripes Day is a global moment to share our concern about how the climate is changing and the need for urgent action.

On 21 June we call on individuals, businesses, and cities around the world to highlight their local climate stripes and share the powerful message they convey.

Show Your Stripes Day at the 91ЕМКН

Clean Air Workshop for Schools

24 June, Whiteknights campus

We invite groups of 10 to 15 Key Stage 3 students from 91ЕМКН to take part in a design-led, action-planning workshop that explores, maps, and measures air quality.

Students will be introduced to air pollution issues, work collaboratively using technology for outdoor air quality assessments, and develop an action plan aimed at improving local air quality.

Schools are invited to register their interest in participating in this session by contacting Marta O'Brien: marta.obrien@reading.ac.uk.

We're green in all sorts of ways

4th in the People & Planet University League 2025/26

Winner of Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability Leadership, London Higher Award 2024

Winner of Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership

Joint 30th in the world in the QS Sustainability Ranking 2026