It started with a walk. A crisp winter afternoon, the vast wilderness of Windsor Great Park stretching before us, and a quiet hum in the air as if nature itself was offering a reminder. To me, the message was clear: If only everyone committed to one sustainable act each day, perhaps we could make Father Christmas green again.
That thought stayed with us – three scholars still buzzing with inspiration – after the Christmas Conference 2024. While the newly knitted ‘Cumberland Lodge International Scholars Network’ carried forward other discussions sparked at the Lodge, our small group continued reflecting on the lessons we had absorbed.
Kerstin, always full of energy, declared: “Climate change demands bold ideas and even bolder actions.” She emphasised that the fight against climate change requires everyone’s participation. The conference had been an eye-opener – witnessing students and academics from all over the world tackle issues like carbon pricing, renewable energy, and climate policy was both exhilarating and overwhelming. What struck her most? Environmental justice. The harsh reality that the world’s poorest communities suffer the worst effects of climate change, despite contributing the least, made solutions like sustainable farming and clean water access non-negotiable. Inspired by the conference, Kerstin is now completing the Carbon Literacy Course at the University of Bristol, preparing to become a Climate Ambassador and help her university achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. Collaboration is key, she insisted, and Mehdi wholeheartedly agreed.
Mehdi, ever the thoughtful scholar, reflected on how the holiday season could be rethought through a sustainable lens. One of the most surprising discussions centred around food waste, particularly the shocking number of discarded turkeys during Christmas. The ideas exchanged were simple yet powerful – better meal planning, food-sharing networks, and redistribution programs to homeless shelters. He was fascinated by stories from scholars in Asia, where communities organise neighbourhood food-sharing initiatives during festivals to minimise waste. Other creative suggestions included reusable holiday decorations, plant-based Christmas feasts, and even a light-hearted (yet surprisingly complex) debate on whether reindeer might be Santa’s most eco-friendly mode of transport – a delightful intersection of folklore and environmental science.
As we move through 2025 and beyond, the participants of the 2024 International Student Conference at Cumberland Lodge will carry with them the memory of our guided winter walk through Windsor Great Park – a perfect example of the balance between preserving natural heritage and promoting sustainable tourism. What started as a simple stroll became an impromptu seminar on sustainability, where we discussed biodiversity, climate change’s impact on landscapes, and the role we each play in protecting our planet. One thing is certain: the seeds of sustainability have been planted, and with each small action, we edge closer to a greener, more just world.
Our International Student Christmas Conference is one of our longest-standing traditions, and is one of two student conferences we host annually as part of our Programme.