The Annual COP26 event that will have the world watching
Why must we focus on our efforts and what is the urgency?
Storms, floods, and wildfires are becoming more common throughout the planet, that alone should be be a wake-up call for urgency. The air pollution has a negative impact on the health of tens of millions of people, and unpredictable weather has wreaked havoc on people's homes and livelihoods. While the effects of climate change are catastrophic, progress in combating it is leading to cleaner air, better jobs, and the restoration of nature while also unleashing economic development.
UK's LEADERSHIP ON CLIMATE CONFERENCE
When it comes to combating climate change, the United Kingdom has a lot to be proud of. They've demonstrated that environmental action and economic development can coexist. Between 1990 and 2019, the country saw unprecedented growth. Our GDP increased by 78 percent over that time, and our emissions fell by 44 percent, the fastest drop in the G7.
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
" I am greatly honoured to be given
the role of People’s Advocate.
There could not be a more
important moment that we should
have international agreement.
The epidemic has shown us how
crucial it is to find agreement
among nations if we are to solve
such worldwide problems. But the
problems that await us within the
next 5 - 10 years are even greater.
It is crucial that these meetings in
Glasgow, COP26, have success,
and that at last the nations
will come together to solve the
crippling problems that the world
now faces.”
SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH
Frequently asked questions
What is COP26?
The Conference of the Parties is abbreviated as COP. Parties are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a 1994 treaty ratified by 197 nations (including the EU). The COP26 conference in Glasgow in 2021, hosted by the UK and our allies Italy, will be the 26th gathering of the Parties, thus the name.
What happens at a COP?
Blue zone - The Blue Zone is for those who have registered with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which is in charge of coordinating the worldwide response to the threat of climate change (UNFCCC).
Green zone - The Green Zone is open to everyone. Everyone is welcome to attend a variety of activities, including seminars, art exhibitions, and installations, as well as talks, technological demos, and musical performances.
What is the Paris agreement?
In 2015, during COP21, the Paris Agreement was reached. It saw virtually every country in the world agree into a legally binding pledge to cut emissions for the first time ever.
It was both ‘top down' and ‘bottom up' in that it required every country – large or small – to commit to reducing carbon emissions in order to keep global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius and, ideally, 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels; and it was ‘bottom up' in that it allowed each country to decide how they would get there.
Roadmap of events to COP26
