COP26 in the UK
In 2021 the UK hosted the world-wide UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) at the Scottish Events Campus, and across the river at Glasgow Science Centre.
The biggest international summit the UK has ever hosted, COP26 brought together heads of state, climate experts, young people, civil society, trade unions, faith groups and Indigenous Peoples to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change.
Why was Paris important?
Since 1995, government representatives from around the world have gathered annually for the UN Climate Change Conference (often referred to as the Conference of the Parties, ‘the COP’).
At COP21 in Paris world leaders committed to a historic agreement to do what was needed to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 ℃ above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the rise to 1.5 ℃. They also agreed to step-up efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change and to make finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development. They also agreed in Paris that countries must come forward every 5 year’s to show how they are working towards reducing their greenhouse emissions and present revised plans to meet targets.
There is much we can do
As individuals and employees of science engagement organisations, and scientific research organisations, we need to be leading the charge here. We need to be clear and loud about what the science says, and what scale of action is required.
All is not lost. We are well on the way to reducing carbon.
As individuals and employees of science engagement organisations, and scientific research organisations, we need to be leading the charge here. We should be constantly seeking ways to reduce our organisation’s carbon footprint and it should be our organisation that set the example by reaching Net Zero by 2030, or at least well before others. We also have the opportunity to inspire others who have the power or influence to make major changes. We should not forget the power we have as employees or leaders of these organisations the influence we all have in showing others they are on the right path.
To find out about specific actions you can do in your organisation, take a look at the Cutting Carbon examples.
