COP26: What is it and what can you do?
COP26 is the 2021 United Nations climate change conference, when hundreds of global leaders from all around the world will come together to discuss how we can reduce emissions and keep warming to 1.5ºC or below. The acronym means 26th annual ‘Conference of Parties’ of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and it’s taking place in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November.
Previous COPs have been significant in raising awareness and agreement on global action on the climate emergency, such as in COP21, where the Paris Agreement was signed. However, the previous COP (COP25) – despite being the longest conference on record – failed to reach consensus on key issues, such as carbon prices and aid for developing countries.
Cockhill Solar Farm
COP26 is seen by many as the most important COP since 2015, as this decade will be ‘make or break' in order to avoid harmful and lasting change to the earth’s climate.
Its main goals are to:
Secure net-zero by 2050 to keep 1.5ºC warming within reach
Urgently adapt to protect communities and natural habitats
Mobilise finance
Collaborate to achieve consensus
IPCC, COP26 and the renewables industry
In the lead-up to this event, businesses and politicians have been actively encouraging transparency, collaboration and ambition on climate goals.
The Race to Zero campaign brings together businesses, schools, cities and other groups to take action to halve global emissions by 2030. Their goal is to fully decarbonise the global electricity system in the 2040s, with 60% renewable energy production by 2030.
The Energy Transition Council is collaborating on accelerating the global transition to clean power. The UK has already pledged almost £9m in funding for global energy transitions, building on a $2bn pledge by the G7. Over COP26, they will discuss how to encourage investment in clean power for all, aiming to double this rate by 2030.
Following the IPCC report released in August, calls for divestment from coal and other fossil fuels have become even louder, as scientists report ‘code red for humanity’. The UN Secretary General said that the report “must sound a death knell” to fossil fuels, with subsidies shifted to renewable energy.
Local action
Photo: Leah Kelley/Pixabay
There are many local community initiatives to raise climate awareness and incite climate action– here are a few we are looking forward to:
Moths to a Flame: Wiltshire Wildlife Community Energy is participating in a mass art installation Moths to a Flame,organised by the Art and Energy Collective. They plan to make 20,000 moths made from recycled plastic and other materials to display in the Glasgow’s Botanical Garden during COP26. Anyone is welcome to participate, so click here to get involved!
Great Big Green Week: Wiltshire Climate Alliance is planning a festival for the Great Big Green Week for the 18-26th September. It’s organised by the Climate Coalition during the lead up to COP26, and it will be the biggest climate event ever in the UK! There are many local activities that are happening across the county as well as the country itself, and you can find events near you on this website.
Season for Change: UK-wide cultural events that hope to inspire urgent and inclusive action on climate change. Take a look at their programme here.
Community Energy England: CEE encourages people to get involved in local action and write to their MPs and local authorities about becoming a community energy champion. They suggest inviting them to visit your local community energy site, and organising a local climate event during Great Big Green Week!
Solar Energy UK: During COP26, Solar Energy UK will be hosting Lighting Up COP26, which will include events hosted in London and Glasgow, live-streamed panels from thought leaders and more.
If you hear of other interesting COP-related events, please let us know!