COP26 – Uniting the World to Tackle Climate Change
What is COP26?
COP26 is the United Nations (UN) 2021 climate change conference. For nearly three decades, the UN has brought together almost every country in the world for global climate summits – called COPs. This stands for ‘Conference of the Parties’. During this time, climate change has gone from being a fringe issue to a global priority. This year is the 26th annual summit – giving it the name COP26. The United Kingdom is hosting the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow from 31 October – 12 November 2021.
The United Kingdom has been working with every nation to reach agreement on how to tackle climate change. World leaders are amongst thousands of negotiators, government representatives, businesses and citizens who will be taking part in the twelve day conference. Not only is this a huge task, but it is also not just yet another international summit – many experts believe COP26 has a unique urgency.
To understand why, look back to another COP – the Paris Agreement, COP21, 2015
For the first time in history, every country agreed to work together to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees, aiming for 1.5 degrees, to adapt to the impacts of a changing climate and to make money available to deliver on these aims. This commitment to aim for 1.5 degrees is important because every fraction of a degree of warming will result in the loss of many more lives lost and livelihoods damaged.
Under the Paris Agreement, countries committed to bring forward their national plans setting out how much they would reduce their emissions – known as Nationally Determined Contributions, or ‘NDCs’. They agreed that every five years they would gather with an updated plan that would reflect their highest possible ambition at that time. Counties have been updating their plans for reducing emissions in the run up to COP26, which was delayed by a year due to the worldwide pandemic. This decade to 2030 is crucial as countries must go much further than they did in Paris in order to keep the hope of holding temperature rises to 1.5 alive. So COP26 needs to be decisive.
COP26 Goals
Secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach
Countries are being asked to come forward with ambitious 2030 emissions reductions targets that align with reaching net zero by the middle of the century. To deliver, countries will need to:
- accelerate the phase-out of coal
- curtail deforestation
- speed up the switch to electric vehicles
- encourage investment in renewables
Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats
Our climate is already changing and it will continue to change even as we reduce emissions, with devastating effects. At COP26, countries need to work together to enable and encourage all countries affected by climate change to:
- protect and restore ecosystems
- build defences, warning systems and resilient infrastructure and agriculture to avoid loss of homes, livelihoods and even lives
Mobilise finance
To deliver on the first two goals, developed countries must make good on their promise to mobilise at least $100bn in climate finance per year. International financial institutions have to play their part and we all need to work towards unleashing the trillions in private and public sector finance required to secure global net zero.
Work together to deliver
We can only rise to the challenges of our climate crisis by working together. So COP26 must:
- finalise the Paris Rulebook (the detailed rules that make the Paris Agreement operational)
- accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis through collaboration between governments, businesses and civil society
The COP26 Presidency Programme
The programme showcases momentum from the whole of society, and will focus on the key issues to drive ambition and action.
World Leaders Summit – 1 & 2 November – bringing together heads of state and government, alongside heads of international organisations, civil society and business leaders, to show that they are serious about working together to tackle climate change. They are invited to set out the ambitious actions that they are taking to reduce emissions, scale-up adaptation and mobilise finance, and to collectively signal their commitment to ensuring that COP26 keeps 1.5°C in reach.
Finance Day – 3 November – this will demonstrate that public and private finance is being mobilised at scale for net zero and climate resilient growth and development, supporting emerging markets and developing economies. This finance will be used for climate action in line with the Paris Agreement, bringing 1.5°C within reach and supporting countries most vulnerable to climate change to adapt to the impacts of climate change and build their resilience to future climate events. It will show how climate finance is being mobilised for the countries that need it most and how the $100bn a year commitment will be met, while looking ahead towards ambitious future goals. The day will also show how the global financial system will become Paris aligned, driving the transition of the real economy and enabling all countries to move towards net zero by 2050.
Energy – 4 November – accelerating the global energy transition is essential if we are to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. Energy Day brings together governments, businesses, investors and organisations from across the world to demonstrate that the shift to clean power is inevitable and rapidly accelerating, that an end to unabated coal power is now within reach, and that people and their livelihoods are at the heart of this transition. We will hear how countries are increasing their climate ambition and celebrate action to make clean energy accessible and affordable and to improve energy efficiency. This is the opportunity to share good practice globally and explore what further steps need to be taken to align and strengthen our collective efforts in support of the clean energy transition.
Youth and Public Empowerment – 5 November – The COP26 Presidency, in collaboration with YOUNGO (the Children and Youth Constituency of the UNFCCC) and other youth partners, will elevate youth voices and ensure a platform for young climate experts to engage with decision-makers on their pressing priorities. Events throughout the day will demonstrate the critical role of empowering, educating and training the public in driving climate action to keep 1.5°C alive.
Nature and Land Use – 5 & 6 November – taking place across two days, this will demonstrate how governments, businesses, Indigenous Peoples, local communities and farmers are driving the transition towards more sustainable management of our land and ocean by protecting and restoring nature and reforming the food and farming system. It will demonstrate the role that nature can play in supporting countries’ climate plans and it will showcase ground-breaking partnerships to help green the trade in agricultural commodities, reform agricultural policy, take action on ocean health, and deliver sustainable innovation – contributing to a healthier planet and a more prosperous future for people, climate and nature.
Adaption, Loss and Damage – 8 November – climate change could push over 100 million people into poverty by 2030. We must adapt our economies and societies to prevent this and seize the opportunity of a more resilient future. Cutting emissions is critical, but not enough. We will hear from local community representatives, experts and government ministers about the impact of extreme weather, environmental degradation and rising sea levels and what is being done to adapt. Together we will accelerate progress on adaptation, loss and damage.
Gender & Science and Innovation – 9 November – Gender is a key part of the UK’s commitment to an inclusive COP. The programme of events on Gender Day will address not only the ways in which women, girls and marginalised people are disproportionately impacted by climate change, but also the importance of their leadership and participation in driving solutions. Gender Day will demonstrate that through working collaboratively, governments, civil society and businesses can advance gender equality in climate action and finance, helping us to deliver on the goals of the Paris Agreement. Science and Innovation is crucial to providing the solutions we need to keep the goal of limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5°C. This day will demonstrate the science and innovation that can deliver urgent climate action and illustrate how we can live and prosper in a changed and changing climate.
Transport – 10 November – This is the COP that will kick start the mass market for zero emission vehicles – a transition that needs to be significantly accelerated to keep 1.5°C within reach. The global transition to zero emission road transport has reached a tipping point. Transport Day will bring together leaders from across the sector to accelerate the transition to 100% zero emissions vehicles. Events will also galvanise action to decarbonise the harder to abate forms of transport: aviation and shipping.
Cities, Regions and Built Environments – 11 November – accelerated action on the built environment sector, driven by subnational leaders, is vital both for emissions mitigation and for supporting resilient communities. This day will bring together national, regional and city level leaders, alongside the private sector, to deliver deep collaboration that can accelerate climate action over the next decade.
You can find the full Programme at https://ukcop26.org/the-conference/presidency-programme/
How to Find Out More
All Presidency events will be webcast on the UNFCCC website where you can watch these events live or on-demand, check out their blog and photo coverage. You can also find videos of the events on YouTube.
For more information about COP26, including all documents and past COPs, then visit the COP26 website