This year's COP3 StudentConference took place in Angers, at the convention center and on the Saint Serge campus of the university! This major event focused on the theme of sustainable cities, with the aim of bringing together students from all over France to discuss ecology.
85% of students are either worried or anxious about the future in relation to climate change, yet their behavior is not the most exemplary. This paradox shows that students are unaware or have little awareness of the impact of their behavior and the levers for ecological action, or are unable to change their habits in a sustainable way.
What is a Student COP?
Student COPs are national student initiatives that aim to bring students together around ecological and environmental issues. Each Student COP addresses a different theme. Their objectives are to educate, encourage cooperation, and take action. COP2 was behind the Grenoble agreement signed at the beginning of the year by Arts et Métiers.
A look back at COP3 Student in Angers
"Let's work together to build the sustainable city of tomorrow" was the slogan chosen for the third edition of the student COP3 conference, which took place on March 17, 18, and 19, 2023, in Angers.
The event aimed to bring together students from all over France to discuss ecology through conferences, round tables, business forums, and participatory workshops, as well as festive events such as concerts and art exhibitions.
The third edition was organized by Arts et Métiers students, including Mathieu Le Marec, a third-year student at the Aix-en-Provence campus:
" This initiative came about as a result of a supervised project I was involved in during my second year. The topic was "Is it possible to organize a student COP in Angers?" That got the ball rolling, and we took up the project again with nine other second- and third-year students. We created an association called COP3 Etudiante. Today, we have around 60 members from several institutions: Arts et Métiers course, but also ESTP, Insa Rennes, IAE Amiens, the Faculty of Medicine, and ESAIP Angers. Our goal is to show that we have the means to take action, raise awareness about sustainability, and make the ecological and social transition desirable. Eighty-five percent of students are concerned or even anxious about climate change, but they are also the ones whose lifestyles have the greatest impact in terms of food, travel, consumption, digital practices and equipment, etc. However, adopting a more ecological lifestyle is not very restrictive. For example, changing your diet by eating less meat or choosing to walk or cycle rather than drive. We all have the means to take action, whether as consumers, citizens, voters, employees, or students! "
Congratulations to the entire event organizing team and a big thank you to the companies, associations, professionals, and artists who participated in this weekend!
