From Global to Local to the Backyard: Bringing Biodiversity COP to the Sunshine Coast Biosphere - Citizen COP 2026

Join us to turn global goals into local action! 🌿

While the world comes together to negotiate the global standards for biodiversity protection and climate action, we walk the talk locally in our Sunshine Coast biosphere.

During this 3-hour workshop, our facilitators take you on the journey of local biodiversity action, from creating and planting seed bombs to backyard conversation action.

Together, we’ll grow nature, community and ourselves — because global change starts with local action.

Let’s bring the global biodiversity and climate COP home.

This is a public session by the Upskilling Sustainability Initiative.

For any questions or support, please contact:
Fien Van den Steen | fvandensteen@usc.edu.au

About Citizen COP Australia

Citizen COP Australia is a decentralised, people-powered movement running alongside the global COPs in 2026. Enabled by People For Nature, but intentionally independent and distributed, Citizen COP invites communities, organisations, schools, businesses, artists, and local groups across Australia to host their own events during the COP period. Rather than a single central event, Citizen COP is a nationwide network of conversations, workshops, and actions that bring global climate and nature discussions into local communities. It connects people to science, solutions, and each other, strengthening civic engagement and ensuring citizen voices contribute to Australia’s climate and nature conversations.

https://www.peoplefornature.org.au/citizen-cop

About The Upskilling Sustainability Initiative

We connect people, ideas, and action for a more sustainable future. Co-founded by Humanitarian Affairs Green Ambassadors Fien Van den Steen and Carmine Buss, The Upskilling Sustainability Initiative (USI) brings together community members, researchers, and industry to co-create solutions through workshops, events, and partnerships. Based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, USI extends beyond the university to connect knowledge with practice, supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We believe sustainability is strengthened when it is accessible, inclusive, and grounded in community participation. Our activities include: 

• Hosting monthly skills-based workshops 

• Connecting local expertise with grassroots action 

• Building pathways for collective, long-term impact 

Join us: Whether you’re a student, researcher, or community member, there’s a place for you in this growing network of changemakers.

About People For Nature

People For Nature is a volunteer-powered environmental charity empowering communities through climate and biodiversity education, citizen conservation, and science. We believe that when Australians understand and connect with nature, they’re more likely to protect it — safeguarding our climate, ecosystems, and well-being.

Your tax-deductible donation helps us bring initiatives like Citizen COP Australia to life and inspire real change for the planet. https://www.peoplefornature.org.au/donate