What is COP26?
The UK and Italy have entered a Presidency Partnership to host the 26th UN Conference of the Parties (COP26), which will take place in Glasgow from 31 October - 12 November 2021.
The conference will reunite world leaders to agree the revised approach on how best to tackle climate change moving forward. This will be the most important climate summit since the landmark Paris Agreement, which was agreed at COP21 in 2015 whereby 196 Parties entered into a legally binding international treaty on climate change, to limit global warming well below 2°C with 1.5°C being the preferred target.
In August 2021, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released their Sixth Assessment Report which provided an assessment of the most up-to-date physical understanding of the climate system and climate change. In the report, scientists warned that global temperature is expected to reach or exceed 1.5°C of warming over the next 20 years as a result of human activites, placing even more emphasis on the need for a successful COP26 outcome.
COP26 was originally scheduled to take place in November 2020, however this was postponed due to COVID-19. As governments worldwide continue to navigate their way out of the pandemic, there is a widespread understanding and need to build back better following the impact of COVID-19, and a green and resilient recovery that promotes sustainable growth will be key to achieving this.
This year COP26 is centred around working with international partners to deliver on 4 key goals:
- Secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5°C in reach
- Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats
- Mobilise finance
- Work together to deliver
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