A TEAM of academics working with Colchester Council on the use of natural resources in coastal defence development have been invited to host a session at the COP27 UN climate talks. 

The team is leading a project titled Building with Nature for Ecosystem-Based Coastal Defence and Economic Resiliency in Colchester and will stage an event in the Cryosphere Pavilion at the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference, (COP27) to be held from November 6 to 18 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

The cryosphere – the parts of our planet covered by frozen water – is at particular risk from climate change.

The melting of the earth’s ice threatens large parts of the world – including coastal communities such as Essex – through sea level rise. Coastal erosion is a major consequence of climate change.

This project has been designed to combat this problem in a way which also supports local jobs.

Project leader Dr Boroka Bo, from the Department of Sociology at the University of Essex, said: “While many of us knew our coast is home to the UK’s largest protected area for native oysters, with oyster farming sustaining our communities since the Roman times, what most oyster consumers don't realize is that oysters also protect our community from coastal erosion and floods.

“In addition to being ecosystem engineers by creating natural storm barriers, an adult oyster can filter almost 190 litres of water per day. By doing this, oysters remove pollutants from our water and protect us from harmful algal blooms.

“We are thrilled that our session at COP27 will give our team the chance to share our collaboration with Colchester Council to build a circular economy around oyster shells.

"Together, we can mitigate coastal erosion, and improve the economic lives of our residents, while also employing nature-based solutions to adapt to climate change.

“COP27 will give our team the opportunity to learn from and network with other policymakers facing the same challenges from around the world.”

The project has been funded with £15,000 each from the University of Essex Impact Acceleration Account, a grant to speed up social science research to have a positive impact on the world.