- Almost 50 events organised by UK COP26 Presidency will
showcase action and drive momentum from all of society during
two-week summit
- Programme reflects COP26 Presidency’s commitment to
inclusivity by bringing together civil society, businesses, and
young people
- Government also publishes programme for UK Pavilion which
will highlight UK climate leadership
The UK government has unveiled its programme of Presidency
events for the two-week COP26 Summit, which is taking place in
Glasgow from 31 October - 12 November.
The programme kicks off with a World Leaders’ Summit (1-2
November), hosted by UK Prime Minister , for which more than 120
leaders have already confirmed their attendance. They are
encouraged to set out ambitious actions to reduce emissions -
including net zero and on coal, cars, and trees, scale-up action
to adapt to the impacts of climate change and mobilise finance,
and to collectively signal their commitment to keeping alive the
crucial Paris Agreement aim of limiting global temperature rises
to well below 2C, and as close as possible to 1.5C.
Running alongside the formal negotiations, the two-week programme
of Presidency events will put a spotlight on how all parts of
society and the global economy drives ambitious climate action.
Events fall across key themed days including finance, adapting to
the impacts of climate change, energy transition, nature and
land-use, gender, and youth. Chancellor will open the first of the
themed days, with an event on how finance is being made available
to deliver on the goals of the Paris Agreement, and UK government
ministers will attend events throughout the two weeks.
Other events include driving forward conversations on the shift
from coal to clean power; responding to the recent IPCC report on
Science and Innovation day; and a convening of education and
climate change ministers with young people to discuss the
importance of education in creating climate positive futures.
On Adaptation, Loss & Damage day, communities on the
frontline will share their experiences of the worst effects of
climate change. This will be followed by a ministerial discussion
on efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
COP26 President-Designate, , said:
The science is clear that we need urgent, decisive action from
around the world if we are to change the course of history for
the better. Our Presidency themed days are aimed at ensuring
COP26 is not a talking shop or a photo opportunity, but a moment
for governments and all of society to move forward with practical
solutions touching on all aspects of how we inhabit our precious
planet.
I am determined to ensure Glasgow is as inclusive as possible, in
spite of the challenges presented by COVID-19. I hope through our
diverse programme of events, as well as the efforts we have put
into getting delegates to Glasgow, all participants will be able
to benefit from the very best of climate leadership around the
world.
Participants in the summit will also be able to take inspiration
from more than 80 Pavilions which will see countries, civil
society and international organisations hosting their own curated
programmes of events. In line with the UK’s commitment to
inclusivity, COP26 is the first COP to offer a shared pavilion,
allowing delegations to host events in a pavilion built by the
UK.
The UK is today publishing its programme for the UK
Pavilion, which will support COP26 Presidency key goals,
whilst showcasing UK climate leadership and action. The UK
Pavilion will feature a broad range of partners and events,
including on gender equality, and supporting indigenous and local
forest communities.
British adventurer, Bear Grylls, will participate in an event on
the role of young people in climate solutions with nature, whilst
climate economy experts Sir Partha Dasgupta and Lord Nicholas
Stern will discuss putting the environment at the heart of
economic decision-making.
The Presidency Programme can be viewed here.
The UK Pavilion programme can be viewed here.
Ends.Notes to editors:
- The themed days of the Presidency Programme will cover
finance; energy; youth and public empowerment; nature and
land-use; adaptation, loss & damage; gender; science and
innovation; transport; and cities, regions and built environment.
- The public can also get involved with more than 200 events
being hosted in the UK-run Green Zone in Glasgow between Monday 1
November and Friday 12 November. More details are available
here.
- The UK Government has put in place a number of measures to
ensure that those most affected by climate change are able to
bring their ideas and ambition to the Summit, despite the
challenges presented by COVID-19. Further details are set out
here and in our
guidance for
delegates.
