COP26

EXPLAINED
 “Securing a brighter future for our children and future generations requires
countries to take urgent action at home and abroad to turn the tide on climate
change. It is with ambition, courage and collaboration as we approach the
crucial COP26 summit in the UK that we can seize this moment together, so
we can recover cleaner, rebuild greener and restore our planet.”

PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

BORIS JOHNSON
 by 2024 and will end the sale of new who are already seeing their homes
petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030. We disappear under water and their crops
are introducing legally binding targets decimated by drought - COP26 simply
to restore nature and radical reforms can’t be another talking shop. In 2009,
to agricultural subsidies. The Prime rich countries promised they would
Minister has set out a Ten Point Plan for work towards raising $100bn each
a green industrial revolution to help us year by 2020 to help these countries
reach our climate commitments whilst tackle climate change. Donors need
creating thousands of highly skilled jobs to demonstrate that the target will be
and already, many more Brits earn their met and surpassed. As COP President
living from clean green jobs. Designate, I am determined that we will.

Around the world we are also seeing There is no viable pathway to net
progress. Together with the United zero emissions that does not involve
Nations, Italy, France and Chile we protecting and restoring nature on an
hosted the Climate Ambition Summit unprecedented scale. If we are serious
which brought together 75 leaders from about holding temperature rises to 1.5
around the world. It was a major stride degrees and adapting to the impacts
forward, with new commitments on of climate change, we must change
climate announced by every leader who the way we look after our land and seas
joined. It’s an important indicator that and how we grow our food. This is also

FOREWORD
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought
The journey is already underway. Despite
the pandemic, the direction of travel
is changing. Around 70% of the world
economy is now covered by net zero
we are all serious about getting carbon
emissions down now. Even so, we’re
going to need much more. We cannot
wake up in 2029 and decide to slash
important if we want to protect and
restore the world's biodiversity, upon
which all life depends.

targets, up from less than 30% when the our emissions by 50% by 2030. That’s At COP26, we will work with partners
devastation to millions around the UK took on the Presidency of COP26. why the next six months will see the to take forward action on protecting
world, disrupting many parts of The world is moving towards a low- UK push others not to flinch from the and restoring forests and critical
the global economy. Governments, carbon future. Clean energy, like wind big policy decisions: ending coal power, ecosystems, and we will champion the
including our own, have stepped up and solar, is now the cheapest source phasing out polluting vehicles, making transition towards sustainable, resilient
to protect lives and livelihoods. But of electricity in most countries; many agriculture more sustainable, tackling and nature positive agriculture.
climate change has continued, and it of the world’s car makers are shifting to deforestation and supporting developing
ultimately threatens life on earth. make only electric and hybrid models; countries with finance. COP26 needs to be decisive. Whether
countries around the world are starting future generations look back at this time
important work to protect and restore Unfortunately reducing emissions is not with admiration or despair, depends
As countries begin to recover from the
nature; cities, states and regions across enough. For many nations, the picture entirely on our ability to seize this
Coronavirus pandemic, we must take
the world are also committing to reduce is far bleaker. I was born in India and for moment. Let’s seize it together.
the historic opportunity to tackle climate
emissions to zero. a time I served as the UK government’s
change at the same time – to build
back better, and greener. We can deliver minister responsible for international
Our country, the UK, is leading the aid – I have real sympathy with less
green recoveries across the globe that
way – over the last 30 years British developed countries that feel it’s for
bring in good jobs, trillions in investment
governments have grown our economy the developed industrial nations to help
and ground-breaking new technology.
by 78% while cutting emissions by 44%. sort out a problem largely of its making.
And we must. To keep the temperature
That shows green growth is real. In 2012, Indeed, one of the reasons we are
of the planet under control – limiting its
40% of our electricity came from coal. determined to hold COP26 in person is
increase to 1.5 degrees - the science
That figure is now less than 2%. That to ensure the voices of these countries
dictates that by the second half of
shows that change is possible. The UK
the century, we should be producing
less carbon than we take out of the
was the first country to pledge to reduce
carbon emissions by 78% by 2035, we
are heard and acted on.
ALOK SHARMA
atmosphere. This is what reaching ‘net
zero’ means.
will completely phase out coal power
For those countries most vulnerable
to the impacts of climate change - COP PRESIDENT-DESIGNATE
6 COP26 EXPLAINED FO R EWO R D 7
 INTRODUCTION
To understand why, it’s necessary to look
back to another COP. COP21 took place
in Paris in 2015. For the first time ever,
something momentous happened: every
CLIMATE CHANGE IS THE country agreed to work together to limit

GREATEST RISK FACING US ALL. global warming to well below 2 degrees and
aim for 1.5 degrees, to adapt to the impacts
of a changing climate and to make money
Around the world storms, floods and available to deliver on these aims. The Paris
wildfires are intensifying. Air pollution Agreement was born. The commitment to
sadly affects the health of tens of aim for 1.5 degrees is important because
millions of people and unpredictable every fraction of a degree of warming
weather causes untold damage to results in the tragic loss of many more lives
homes and livelihoods too. But while lost and livelihoods damaged.
the impacts of climate change are
Under the Paris Agreement, countries
devastating, advances in tackling it committed to bring forward national plans
are leading to cleaner air, creating setting out how much they would reduce
good jobs, restoring nature and at the their emissions - known as Nationally
same time unleashing economic Determined Contributions, or ‘NDCs’. They
growth. agreed that every five years they would
come back with an updated plan that would
Despite the opportunities we are not acting reflect their highest possible ambition at
fast enough. To avert this crisis, countries that time.
need to join forces urgently.
The run up to this year’s summit in Glasgow
In November, the UK, together with our is the moment (delayed by a year due to
partners Italy, will host an event many the pandemic) when countries update
believe to be the world’s last best chance to their plans for reducing emissions. But,
get runaway climate change under control. the commitments laid out in Paris did not
For nearly three decades the UN has been come close to limiting global warming to
bringing together almost every country on 1.5 degrees, and the window for achieving
earth for global climate summits - called this is closing. The decade out to 2030 will
COPs - which stands for ‘Conference of the be crucial. So as momentous as Paris was,
Parties’. 'In that time climate change has countries must go much further to keep
gone from being a fringe issue to a global the hope of holding temperature rises to 1.5
priority. This year will be the 26th annual degrees alive.
summit – giving it the name COP26. With
the UK as President, COP26 takes place in International climate summits are complex.
Glasgow. Here in the UK COP26 team we want to
make it as easy as possible for you to
In the run up to COP26 the UK is working understand what COP26 is and what the
with every nation to reach agreement on UK team is working to achieve. In this
how to tackle climate change. More than introduction you’ll find the summary of our
190 world leaders are expected to arrive in goals; explanations of the processes, a
Scotland. Together with tens of thousands glossary for technical phrases and perhaps
of negotiators, government most importantly, ways for you to get
representatives, businesses and citizens for involved.
twelve days of talks. Not only is it a huge
task but it is also not just yet another
international summit. Most experts believe
COP26 has a particular urgency.

8 COP26 EXPLAINED IN T RO DUCT IO N 9

 THE UK’S
• We are planting trees on 30,000
hectares of land per year by 2025

LEADERSHIP
• We have announced plans that put
farmers at the forefront of reversing
environmental decline and tackling

ON CLIMATE
climate change

• We will make climate-related disclosures

mandatory across the economy by
2025, with most requirements coming
The UK has a lot to be proud of when it in by 2023
comes to acting on climate change. We
• The low carbon sector and supply chain
have shown that climate action can go provides over 460,000 jobs in the UK.
hand-in-hand with economic growth. Our ambition is for up to 2 million green
Between 1990 and 2019, we achieved jobs by 2030
record clean growth. In that time,
As the world looks to recover from the impact
our economy grew by 78% and our of coronavirus on our lives, livelihoods and
emissions decreased by 44% over this economies, we have the chance to build back
time, the fastest decline in the G7. better. Our Ten Point Plan will help deliver a
green industrial revolution - by investing in
• We have decarbonised our economy clean energy, transport, nature and innovative
faster than any other country in the G20 technologies - creating hundreds of thousands
since 2000 of jobs in the process.

• We were the first major economy to put Leading the world in tackling and adapting
into law that we will reach net zero to climate change is a major economic
carbon emissions by 2050
opportunity for the UK, that will create new
• We are the largest producer of offshore skilled jobs across the country as well as
wind energy in the world export opportunities for our firms.

• We will end direct government support

for the fossil fuel energy sector overseas

• We are doubling our international

climate finance to help developing
nations with £11.6bn over the next five
years up to 2025/2026

• We have announced the end of the sale

of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK
by 2030, putting the UK on course to be
the fastest G7 country to decarbonise
cars and vans

• We will spend at least £3bn of our

international climate finance in the next
5 years on nature and nature based
solutions

10 COP26 EXPLAINED UK LEADER SHIP 11

WHAT DO WE NEED
TO ACHIEVE AT
COP26?
SECURE GLOBAL ADAPT TO PROTECT MOBILISE WORK TOGETHER
NET ZERO BY MID- COMMUNITIES FINANCE. TO DELIVER.
CENTURY AND AND NATURAL To realise our first two goals, We can only rise to the challenges of

KEEP 1.5 DEGREES

developed countries must deliver climate change by working together.

HABITATS. on their promise to raise at least

$100bn in climate finance per year.
At COP26 we must finalise the

WITHIN REACH.
Paris Rulebook (the rules needed to
International financial institutions implement the Paris Agreement). And,
The climate is already changing and must play their part and we need to we have to turn our ambitions into
Countries are being asked to come it will continue to change even as we work towards unleashing the trillions action by accelerating collaboration
forward with ambitious 2030 reduce emissions, with devastating in private and public sector finance between governments, businesses
emissions reductions targets (NDCs) effects. At COP26 we need to work required to secure global net zero. and civil society to deliver on our
that align with reaching net zero by together to enable and encourage climate goals faster.
the middle of the century. To deliver countries affected by climate change
on these stretching targets, countries to protect and restore ecosystems,
will need to accelerate the phase- build defences, put warning systems
out of coal, encourage investment in place and make infrastructure and
in renewables, curtail deforestation agriculture more resilient to avoid loss
and speed up the switch to electric of homes, livelihoods and lives.
vehicles.

12 COP26 EXPLAINED WHAT DO WE N EED TO ACHIEVE AT CO P26 ? 13

SECURE GLOBAL
THE WORLD IS CURRENTLY NOT ON TRACK TO LIMIT GLOBAL
WARMING TO 1.5 DEGREES.
The targets announced in Paris would result in warming well
above 3 degrees by 2100 compared to pre-industrial levels. If we

NET ZERO AND

continue as we are, temperatures will carry on rising, bringing
even more catastrophic ooding, bush ires, extreme weather and
destruction of species.

We have made progress in recent months to bend the temperature

curve closer to 2 degrees; but the science shows that much more must be

KEEP
done to keep 1.5 degrees in reach. The world needs to halve emissions over
the next decade and reach net zero carbon emissions by the middle of the
century if we are to limit global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees.

As part of the Paris Agreement, every country agreed to communicate

or update their emissions reduction targets - their Nationally

1.5 DEGREES
Determined Contribution (NDC) - every five years to reflect their highest
possible ambition and a progression over time. These targets set out how
far countries plan to reduce emissions across their entire economy and/or
in specific sectors.

WITHIN REACH.
2020 marked the first of these five year cycles. This means that countries
are expected to update their 2030 targets before we meet in Glasgow.
We are calling on all countries to update them so that they are in line with
holding temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. It is especially important that
developed countries and the largest emitters take the lead.

While targets are important, they must translate into action, fast. Which is
why developed countries must rapidly phase out coal power, and all
countries should commit to not opening or financing any new coal-fired
power stations across the world.

At the same time, we must work together to provide developing countries

with better support to deliver clean energy to their citizens.

Forests play a vital role in removing carbon from the air. Protecting
them is critical if we are going to meet our climate goals, and right
now they are still being lost at the rate of a football pitch every few
seconds. We are encouraging countries to work together to reform the
global trade in agricultural commodities (like beef, soy and palm oil) so
that sustainable production is rewarded, helping farmers to make a better
living while forests are protected.

And finally, we need to clean up our air and reduce carbon emissions by
switching to driving zero emission cars, vans and trucks. The UK will end
the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. Countries with major car
markets should follow our lead. If we send a strong signal to the industry,
investment will shift more quickly to new, clean technologies, and all
countries will be able to enjoy the benefits sooner.

14 COP26 EXPLAINED 1 .5 DEGR EES 15

 WE HAVE TO ACT URGENTLY
ELIZABETH WATHUTI
LORD ZAC GOLDSMITH

"COP26 presents an opportunity

for the world to take immediate
action to end the fossil fuel era and
start regenerating nature while
ensuring that all our remaining
natural ecosystems stay intact.
As nations look to rebuild their
economies in the wake of COVID19,
we have seen an emphasis on
‘building back better’ through
PRIORITISE NATURE
a green recovery. More and "We need to back nature with the
more countries, businesses, and same energy we have seen in
investors are also coming forward relation to the clean technology
with commitments to decarbonize revolution. As governments plan
by 2030 or 2050. But while these their economic recoveries from
long-term commitments send Covid-19, we have a once-in-
a very important signal, it is the a-generation opportunity to
decisions we make today that reconcile our economies with
really matter. What we say yes to. the natural world and deliver
What we say no to and where we a greener, safer and more
choose to invest our human and prosperous future."
financial capital right now and not
in years to come. The eyes of the LORD ZAC GOLDSMITH
young people are on COP26 and MINISTER FOR PACIFIC AND THE ENVIRONMENT
beyond and every day, minute, and
hour that passes without urgent
action translates to failing future
WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS generations. The climate crisis is
already causing loss and damage
Around 70% of the world’s economy is now committed to reaching net zero
emissions, up from 30% when the UK took over as incoming COP Presidency. for so many people and while we
may all be in the same storm; we
More than 80 countries have formally updated their NDCs, and all G7 are definitely not all in the same
countries have announced new NDC targets that put them on the path to boat. COP26 is an opportunity and
net zero emissions by 2050.
a time to move from commitments
Accounting for around half the global economy, all the countries that make to real urgent action."
up the G7 have updated their 2030 targets to put them on a pathway to net
zero by 2050. ELIZABETH WATHUTI
GLOBAL SOUTH CO CHAIR OF THE COP26 CIVIL
SOCIETY AND YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL AND THE
Solar and wind are now cheaper than new coal and gas power plants in two FOUNDER OF THE GREEN GENERATIONAL INITIATIVE
thirds of countries of the world.

16 COP26 EXPLAINED 1 .5 DEGR EES 17

URGENTLY
PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD ARE ALREADY
LIVING WITH DEVASTATING EXTREME WEATHER
HEIGHTENED BY THE CHANGING CLIMATE.

ADAPT TO
Even as we work tirelessly to reduce emissions, further
change is inevitable. We know that the most vulnerable
are at the greatest risk from climate change, and that
they have done the least to cause it. Action to address

PROTECT
this and build resilience is needed now, before more
people lose their lives or livelihoods.

The international community must unite and support people who

are most vulnerable to the impacts of the changing climate. We

COMMUNITIES
need more action to avert, minimise and address the loss and
damage that is already occurring from climate change. Plans and
more finance need to be put in place to improve early warning
systems, flood defences, and build resilient infrastructure and
agriculture to avoid further loss of life, livelihoods and natural
habitats.

AND NATURAL
Protecting and restoring habitats is a powerful way to boost
resilience to the impacts of the changing climate. They help
to build natural storm and flood defences, whilst flourishing
ecosystems contribute to sustainable farming and support

HABITATS.
billions of lives worldwide.

All countries should produce an ‘Adaptation Communication’,

which is a summary of what they are doing and planning to do
to adapt to the impacts of the changing climate, challenges they
face and where they need help. These plans will help us learn
together and share best practice between countries.

The UK has co-developed the Adaptation Action Coalition, in

partnership with Egypt, Bangladesh, Malawi, the Netherlands,
Saint Lucia and the United Nations Development Programme.
The coalition is bringing countries together to find solutions to
some of the most challenging impacts of climate change, and
we are inviting all countries to join us.

18 COP26 EXPLAINED CO MMUN IT IES AN D N AT UR AL HABITATS. 19

 ANNE-MARIE
TREVELYAN

WE HAVE TO WORK
TOGETHER
"In my role, I am acutely aware
of the need to listen to and work
with countries on the frontline of
climate change to drive forward
global action on adaptation to
the impacts and avert, minimise
and address loss and damage.
With the impacts of COVID-19,
it is vitally important we work
together to scale up finance from
all sources and improve access.
We must push for all countries to
have National Adaptation Plans in WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS
place and to produce Adaptation Over 20 countries have joined the Adaptation Action Coalition, building
Communications sharing best on the 2019 Call for Action on Adaptation and Resilience signed by over
120 countries.
practice to help turn ambition into
action." 1500+ businesses, investors, regions & cities have joined the Race to
Resilience all are committed to take action on adaptation to build a
ANNE-MARIE TREVELYAN resilient future.
UK INTERNATIONAL CHAMPION ON ADAPTATION
AND RESILIENCE FOR THE COP26 PRESIDENCY Over 40 countries and organisations have joined the Risk-Informed
Early Action Partnership commiting to make 1 billion people safer from
disaster by 2025.

20 COP26 EXPLAINED CO MMUN IT IES AN D N AT UR AL HABITATS. 21

TO ACHIEVE OUR CLIMATE GOALS, EVERY COMPANY,
EVERY FINANCIAL FIRM, EVERY BANK, INSURER AND
INVESTOR WILL NEED TO CHANGE.
Countries need to manage the increasing impacts of climate
change on their citizens’ lives and they need the funding to do
it. The scale and speed of the changes we need to make will
require all forms of finance: public finance for the development
of infrastructure we need to transition to a greener and more
climate-resilient economy; private finance to fund technology
and innovation, and to help turn the billions of public money
into trillions of total climate investment.

Developing countries in particular need support. Developed countries

must deliver on their promise to raise at least $100 billion every
year in climate finance to support developing countries. The OECD
estimates that $78.9bn of climate finance was mobilised in 2018. This
must include building new markets for adaptation and mitigation
and improving the quantity, quality and access to finance to support
communities around the world to take action on the changing climate.

The UK is doubling our International Climate Finance commitment

to at least £11.6 billion between 2021 and 2025. We want as many
countries as possible to follow our lead and increase their commitment
through to 2025.

Ahead of COP26, we must work to unleash the trillions in private

finance that are needed to power us towards net zero by the middle
of the century. To do this, every financial decision needs to take
climate into account. This includes all private investment decisions,

MOBILISE
but also all spending decisions that countries and international
financial institutions are making as they roll out stimulus packages
to rebuild economies from the pandemic.

Companies need to be transparent about the risks and opportunities

that climate change, and the shift to a net zero economy pose to
their business. Central banks and regulators need to make sure that

FINANCE.
our financial systems can withstand the impacts of climate change
and support the transition to net zero. It also means banks, insurers,
investors and other financial firms committing to ensuring their
investments and lending is aligned with net zero.

22 COP26 EXPLAINED MO BILISE F IN AN CE. 23

BELLA LACK
GLASGOW FINANCIAL ALLIANCE MARK CARNEY

FOR NET ZERO

To deliver on the Paris Agreement
the whole global economy needs to
shift. Companies, banks, insurers
and investors all have to adjust their
business models and develop credible
plans for the transition to a net zero
economy and implement them.

To encourage the financial sector to do "Finance is essential to accelerating

more, the COP Presidency, the UN High
the transition to net zero and
Level Climate Champions and Mark Carney
have launched the Glasgow Financial achieving the full ambition of the
Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ). This already Paris Agreement. Over the past
unites over 160 firms, together responsible year, the public and private sectors
for assets in excess of US$70 trillion, from have been working hard to put
the leading net zero initiatives across the
financial system to accelerate the transition
the plumbing in place to ensure
to net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. that every financial decision takes
These initiatives must all be accredited climate change into account. In the
by the Race to Zero, which means using final 6 months to COP26, we must
science-based guidelines to reach net zero build on that foundation through
emissions and setting 2030 interim targets.
GFANZ includes 43 banks representing commitments to net zero from
$28.5 trillion through the Net Zero Banking the world’s major private financial
Alliance, 87 asset managers representing institutions and with new markets
$37 trillion through the Net Zero Asset that help meet the needs of the
Managers Initiative, and 37 asset owners
developing world."
representing $5.7trillion through the Net
Zero Asset Owner Alliance. GFANZ will MARK CARNEY
drive and raise the ambition of the financial THE PRIME MINISTER’S FINANCE ADVISER FOR
WE HAVE TO CHANGE sector towards COP26 and beyond COP26

“Right now our species is

undermining and destabilising the
very foundations that are necessary WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS
The OECD estimates that $78.9bn of climate finance was mobilised in 2018.
for life on earth to thrive. We know
that things are changing, and COP26 Multilateral development banks estimated that $41.5 billion was provided to
developing countries in 2019.
is one of our last and most crucial
opportunities to make sure it is The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero represents over $70 trillion of
assets committed to net zero by 2050.
humanity that has to change, and not
the planet.” Over 2000 organisations around the world support the Taskforce for Climate-
Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
BELLA LACK 17 central banks have committed to stress testing their financial system
GLOBAL NORTH YOUTH CO-CHAIR OF THE COP26
CIVIL SOCIETY AND YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL
against climate risks.

24 COP26 EXPLAINED MO BILISE F IN AN CE. 25

 WORK TOGETHER
REACHING AGREEMENT IN THE NEGOTIATIONS
IS OUR FORMAL RESPONSIBILITY AS THE
PRESIDENCY OF COP26.

TO DELIVER.
Doing so will help deliver on our other three goals
and show everyone that the world is moving to a
resilient, net zero economy.

A focus for the negotiations is finalising the rules needed

to implement the Paris Agreement, called the ‘Paris
Rulebook’. We must find a solution on carbon markets, by
creating a robust system of carbon credits that supports
the move to net zero. We must resolve the issues of
transparency, by putting in place a universal system that
encourages all countries to keep to their commitments.
And we must broker an agreement that drives ambition
from governments over the coming years to keep 1.5
degrees alive.

The UN negotiations are consensus-based, and reaching

agreement will depend on leaving no issue behind and
making sure everyone’s voice is heard. Which is why we
are working hard to remove barriers that prevent everyone
from participating in COP26 and championing the voices
of communities vulnerable to climate change, including
indigenous peoples and communities grappling with the
transition from high carbon activities.

However, finalising the Paris Rulebook on its own will not

deliver net zero. This decade is decisive and we need to
turn ambition into action. Governments, business and civil
society (sometimes called ‘non-state actors’) need to work
together to transform the ways we power our homes and
businesses, grow our food, develop infrastructure and
move ourselves and goods around. Which is why we are
working hand in glove with the UN High Level Champions
on Climate Action to catalyse transformation in the global
economy.

By committing to work together in this way we are laying

the foundations for faster progress in the decade to come.

26 COP26 EXPLAINED WO R K TO GET HER 27

 NIGEL TOPPING MICHELLE
SCRIMGEOUR

WE WANT TO DELIVER INACTION IS NOT AN OPTION

“States and non-state actors "To create a better future we need
alike are galvanizing behind the to harness collective agreement to
guiding star of net zero emissions focus on net zero commitments.
before 2050, but we are running Our purpose is unequivocal in
out of time. We must urgently pivot protecting both society and
to delivering the halving of our future generations from the
emissions by 2030, with robust consequences of climate change.
short term plans and longer term
strategies, if we want to deliver the This is also the investment
promise of the Paris Agreement.” opportunity of our lifetime. Coming
together as business leaders,
NIGEL TOPPING in the countdown to the COP26
UN HIGH-LEVEL CHAMPION FOR CLIMATE ACTION
Summit, we can align our influence
and financial might to the net
zero ambition and so produce
positive sustainable economic
and environmental returns. This
is inclusive capitalism in action -
inaction is not an option.”
MICHELLE SCRIMGEOUR
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, LEGAL & GENERAL
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, CO-CHAIR, COP26
BUSINESS LEADERS GROUP

28 COP26 EXPLAINED WO R K TO GET HER 29

THE ROAD
LEADERS SUMMIT ON CLIMATE G7 LEADERS SUMMIT
22-23 April 2021 11 - 13 June 2021

The Leaders Summit on Climate was convened Prime Minister Boris Johnson will gather leaders
by US President Biden and brought 40 world

TO COP26
of G7 nations, the EU and guest countries to
leaders together to encourage stronger climate unite leading democracies to help the world fight
ambition. The US and Japan made ambitious and then build back better from COVID-19, and
commitments to reduce emissions by 2030, create a greener, more prosperous future.
coming out of the summit every country in the
G7 had an NDC putting them on the path to net-
zero 2050. FIFTY-FOURTH SESSION OF THE
INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE
We are already on the road to COP26 PETERSBERG CLIMATE DIALOGUE2 CHANGE (IPCC-54) AND WORKING GROUP
and there are several important events 6-7 May 2021 I ASSESSMENT REPORT 6 APPROVAL
along the way where we are working PLENARY
hard to deliver on the goals of the UK As incoming COP President the UK co-hosted 26 July - 6 August 2021
the Petersberg Climate Dialogue with Germany,
COP Presidency.
bringing together Ministers from around 40 The IPCC is currently producing its Sixth
countries to work together to accelerate Assessment Report (AR6). The contribution from
Glasgow will be the culmination of tireless progress on negotiations in advance of Glasgow Working Group I assesses the physical science
work by the UK Presidency over the course basis of climate change. It will provide a key input
of 2020 and 2021, which will continue until into the negotiations at COP26.
the we hand over the Presidency at COP27 P4G
at the end of 2022. As is dictated by the 30 - 31 May 2021
76TH SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL
UN’s system of regional orientation, an ASSEMBLY (UNGA)
African country. The P4G Seoul Summit will unite Heads of State,
14 September 2021
CEOs, investors and civil society leaders and
focus on developing public-private partnerships
UNGA brings together leaders of the UN Member
at scale to deliver on the Sustainable
States to discuss global challenges including
CLIMATE AMBITION SUMMIT Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.
recovery from COVID-19 and tackling climate
12 December 2020 change. It will provide a critical moment for
countries to come together and raise their
12TH CLEAN ENERGY MINISTERIAL (CEM) -
In December 2020 the United Nations, United ambition on climate ahead of COP26.
6TH MISSION INNOVATION MINISTERIAL
Kingdom and France co-hosted the Climate
31 May - 6 June 2021
Ambition Summit, in partnership with Chile and
CLIMATE WEEK NYC
Italy. The Summit brought together 75 leaders
The annual CEM Ministerial meeting brings 20 - 26 September 2021
from around the world. It was a major stride
together Ministers from major economies to
forward, with new commitments announced by
share best practice and promote policies and Climate Week brings together business and
every leader, including 28 new and enhanced
programs that encourage and facilitate the government leaders to showcase climate
NDCs at or just before the event
transition to a global clean energy economy. action and discuss how to do more, and will
provide a key moment for businesses to make
UN CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE - commitments ahead of COP26.
CLIMATE & DEVELOPMENT MINISTERIAL SESSIONS OF THE SUBSIDIARY BODIES
30 March 2021 31 May - 17 June 2021
YOUTH4CLIMATE: DRIVING AMBITION
The UK COP26 Presidency brought together 28 - 30 September 2021
The UN Climate Change Conference Subsidiary
countries and partners to discuss the challenges Bodies session convenes all Parties and
and priorities for implementing the Paris Climate Almost 400 young people aged between 18 and
Observers of the United Nations Framework
Agreement and Agenda 2030 for Sustainable 29 from the 197 Parties of the UNFCCC will meet
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to
Development in the countries most vulnerable to CLIMATE AMBITION SUMMIT in Milan to discuss the negotiations that will take
make progress on negotiations in advance of
climate change. 12 December 2020 place at the Pre-COP26 in Milan and COP26 in
COP26 in Glasgow
Glasgow.

30 COP26 EXPLAINED T IMELIN E 31

PRE-COP26 COP26
30 September - 3 October 2021 1-12 November 2021

The Pre-COP is a preparatory meeting for COP26,

bringing together ministers from a representati-
ve group of countries to discuss and exchange
views on key political aspects of the negotiations,
to find solutions to outstanding issues and set
the tone for COP26.

UN BIODIVERSITY CONFERENCE
11 - 24 October 2021

The Conference will bring together the Parties

and Observers to the UN Convention on Biolo-
gical Diversity in Kunming, China to discuss the
action needed to reverse biodiversity loss and its
impact on ecosystems, species and people.

GLOBAL INVESTMENT SUMMIT: BUILDING A

GREEN FUTURE TOGETHER
19 October 2021

The Summit will showcase the UK’s leading glo-

bal position, commitment to net zero and the in-
vestment opportunities that this provides across
the whole of the UK to catalyse billions of pounds
of investment for the Ten Point Plan for a green
industrial revolution.

WORLD BANK GROUP / INTERNATIONAL MO-

NETARY FUND ANNUAL MEETINGS
15 - 17 October 2021

The Annual Meetings bring together Governors

representing the shareholders on issues of global
concern, including the world economic outlook,
poverty eradication, economic development, and
aid effectiveness.

G20 LEADERS' SUMMIT

30-31 October 2021

The G20 brings together the world’s major eco-

nomies to address shared challenges. It will focus
on recovering from the pandemic and addressing
climate change to ensure an inclusive and sus-
tainable economic recovery.

32 COP26 EXPLAINED T IMELIN E 33

 CITIES, REGIONS, BUSINESSES, carbon economy. Every member of the Race
to Zero is committed to halving emissions by

INVESTORS & UNIVERSITIES 2030 and achieving net zero emissions as

soon as possible - and by 2050 at the latest.

At the 2015 COP in Paris, governments Cities, Regions, Businesses, Investors and
formally recognised that it is only by Universities can join the Race to Zero and take
everyone working together that we action to reach net zero emissions. Race to
can rise to the challenge of climate Zero brings together net zero commitments
change. They decided to appoint from a range of leading networks and
two people referred to as the High- initiatives, including the Business Ambition for
Level Champions to work with cities, 1.5 C campaign for corporations, the Net-Zero
regions, businesses and investors. Asset Managers Initiative, the UN-convened

HOW TO GET
Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance and the
The current UN High Level Champions for UN-convened Net Zero Baking Alliance for
Climate Action are from Chile (Gonzalo Muñoz) financial firms, the Under2Coalition for states
and the UK (Nigel Topping), representing the and regions and Global Universities and
current and incoming Presidency countries Colleges for the Climate and many more.
of the COP. Together Gonzalo and Nigel are
working with people and organisations that Non-state actors can also join the Race

INVOLVED
do not represent national governments (non- to Resilience, the UN High Level Climate
state actors) to build momentum ahead of Champions’ global campaign to encourage
COP26. businesses, investors, cities and civil society
to take action to strengthen the resilience
Race to Zero is the UN High Level Champions’ of people from vulnerable groups and
global campaign to rally leadership and communities to climate risks
support from businesses, cities, regions and
investors to build a healthy, resilient, zero

34 COP26 EXPLAINED GET IN VO LVED 35

 2300+ BUSINESSES
700+ CITIES
160+ INVESTORS
600+ EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS
20+ REGIONS
Race to Zero is the world’s largest net
zero alliance, with over 3,800 members, Are committed to halving emissions by 2030
representing over 15% of the global and achieving net zero emissions as soon as
economy, 1 billion people, and 21% of the possible – and by 2050 at the very latest as
world’s biggest companies. part of the Race to Zero.
36 COP26 EXPLAINED R ACE TO ZERO 37
 HOW YOU CAN GET
SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH

INVOLVED by Aardman Animations, and premiered

WE ALL HAVE A PART TO PLAY TO at COP26 to set the scene for world
TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE. leaders to take urgent climate action.

We will be working with broadcaster We want to make it as easy as possible

and natural historian Sir David for UK schools, MPs, local authorities
Attenborough, as‘COP26 People’s and religious groups to act on climate
Advocate’ to inspire everyone to take change in advance of COP26. Whether
action on the road to COP26. you want to help people understand
what the summit is for or to galvanise
In the run up to the summit we will be action in your local area, we will have
working with people from across the UK something for you. We will be releasing a
to tell your stories about taking action. number of toolkits with branding, ideas
From the engineers working on the and resources to help. Keep an eye on
offshore wind farms that power our the Together for our Planet website for
homes and businesses to local more information.
initiatives encouraging children and
parents to walk to school, we want to Follow @COP26 on Twitter and
show the hidden momentum being Instagram for updates on how you can
created by people just like you as we all get involved.
act on climate change together.

We recently ran a process to invite

organisations from across the UK to " I am greatly honoured to be given
submit their ideas for events, exhibitions the role of People’s Advocate.
and workshops to take place in Glasgow, There could not be a more
and have received many thousands of important moment that we should
inspiring entries. These will help to make
coming to COP26 an exciting experience
have international agreement.
for everyone. We have also worked The epidemic has shown us how
closely with Glasgow City Council to crucial it is to find agreement
recruit volunteers to support COP26 and among nations if we are to solve
had an overwhelming response, with such worldwide problems. But the
over 10,000 applicants. problems that await us within the
next 5 - 10 years are even greater.
Budding writers can take part in our
It is crucial that these meetings in
Blue Peter competition Our Planet Now.
Children from across the UK Glasgow, COP26, have success,
are invited to write a poem or story and that at last the nations
about something that is affecting our will come together to solve the
planet today. The winning entry will be crippling problems that the world
transformed into a short animated film now faces.”
SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH

38 COP26 EXPLAINED PEO PLE 39

 WHAT IS COP26? COP26 IS THE 2021 EDITION OF THE
UNITED NATIONS ANNUAL CLIMATE
CHANGE CONFERENCE.
COP stands for Conference of the Parties.
Parties are the signatories of the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) - a treaty agreed in 1994
which has 197 Parties (196 countries and the
EU). The 2021 conference, hosted by the UK,
together with our partners Italy, in Glasgow,
will be the 26th meeting of the Parties, which
is why it's called COP26.

FREQUENTLY
United Nations climate change conferences
are among the largest international meetings
in the world. The negotiations between
governments are complex and involve officials
from every country in the world as well as
representatives from civil society and the

ASKED QUESTIONS
global news media.

40 COP26 EXPLAINED FAQ 41

 WHAT HAPPENS Activity at a COP takes place in two
different zones - the Blue Zone and the
Green Zone.

AT A COP? The Blue Zone is for people registered with the

UN body tasked with coordinating the global
response to the threat of climate change –
the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC). In the Blue Zone
you might be part of a national delegation,
work for the United Nations and related
organisations & agencies or be a member of
the media or non-profit observer organisation.

In the Blue Zone, delegates from countries

meet for both formal negotiations and
informal consultations. They may also take
part in meetings with other delegations to
clarify their position and interests with the
aim of reaching agreement or overcoming a
negotiating deadlock. The UNFCCC will also
host a range of events, including technical
briefings, to support the negotiations process.

The Green Zone is for the general public.

There will be a wide range of events, including
workshops, art exhibitions and installations,
as well as presentations, demonstrations of
technology and musical performances for
everyone to attend.

42 COP26 EXPLAINED FAQ 43

WHAT IS THE PARIS The Paris Agreement was agreed at
COP21 in 2015. For the first time ever
it saw almost every country around

AGREEMENT? the world enter into a legally binding

commitment to reduce emissions.

It was ‘top down’ in that every country

– no matter how big or small – signed
up to cutting carbon emissions to limit
global warming to well below 2 degrees
and ideally to 1.5 degrees above pre-
industrial levels; and it was ‘bottom up’
in that it left room for each individual
country to decide how they would get
there. These were called Nationally
Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The Paris Agreement also set out

ambitious goals on adaptation and
on finance, recognising that many
people around the world are already
experiencing the impacts of a changing
climate, and that support - financial,
technical and capacity building - would
be needed.

44 COP26 EXPLAINED FAQ 45

 WHY DOES LIMITING TEMPERATURE
RISE TO 1.5 DEGREES MATTER?
At 2 degrees of global warming, there would be wides-
pread and severe impacts on people and nature. A third
of the world’s population would be regularly exposed
to severe heat, leading to health problems and more
heat-related deaths.

Almost all warm water coral reefs would be destroyed, and

the Arctic sea ice would melt entirely at least one summer per
decade, with devastating impacts on the wildlife and com-
munities they support. We cannot rule out the possibility that
irreversible loss of ice sheets in Greenland and the Antarctic
could be triggered, leading to several metres of sea level rise
over centuries to come.

At 1.5°C, the impacts would be serious, but less severe. There

would be lower risks of food and water shortages, lower risks
to economic growth and fewer species at risk of extinction.
Threats to human health from air pollution, disease, malnu-
trition and exposure to extreme heat would also be lower.
That is why every fraction of a degree of warming matters,
and why we are dedicated to keeping the prospect of holding
temperature rises to 1.5 degrees alive.

46
46 COP26 EXPLAINED FAQ 47
W I T H T H A N K S T O O U R P R I N C I PA L PA R T N E R S