STUDENTS from Oxford University are to host a pioneering Copenhagen-style convention on climate change.

The inaugural Oxford Climate Forum will draw students from more than 20 universities in a bid to place them at the forefront of the nation’s battle with the changing environment.

Organisers want student unions from all corners of Britain to devise ways to take the issue to the top of the political and business agenda following last year’s UN Climate Change summit in Copenhagen.

They also hope to inspire people from the local community to become involved in climate issues.

Renowned sociologist Lord Anthony Giddens will open the forum, which is at Oxford University on Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13.

One hundred students will work in groups to come up with campaign plans.

Other prominent speakers include Pam Giddy, founder of Power Inquiry, Professor and economics fellow Dieter Helm and Dan Vockins, of 1010uk.org, a project aiming to cut UK carbon emissions by 10 per cent cut in 2010.

Sophie Lewis, a 21-year-old Wadham College student, hopes political and business leaders of the future will be inspired to take action.

She said: “I went to Copenhagen and got beaten up by riot cops.

“A lot of us feel very strongly about the need to bring together students and take action.

“I’m pretty confident that at this stage people won’t want to come along to another talking shop when our world leaders have met to do just that.”

Somerville College student and forum director Julia Koskella hopes the two-day event will find ways of pushing the climate change agenda during this year’s General Election.

The 20-year-old said: “First of all it’s going to be a call to action for people who have not previously been involved in green efforts.

“We are not preaching to the converted, so that will be an active step.

“It will also involve an interdisciplinary approach with experts and students from different fields to try and find a middle ground to tackle climate change.”

Miss Koskella also said an online network would be set up after the conference to enable students to keep in touch with each other.

Miss Lewis added: “Now is the time for planning, for action.”

For further information about the new forum visit oxfordclimateforum.org