COP26: Get Involved
Events
Access to central venues during COP26 1-12 Nov 2021
As COP26 comes to the city in November this year there is increasing interest from across the institution and beyond for space to host an event on-campus during these dates. As central space will be a premium we will have to take a more strategic approach to approving events during this time.
We would ask that colleagues ensure their event is supported by the relevant Head of College or Service. Some colleges have working groups for this purpose who are collating COP26 Activity on behalf of the college, so please do check with your relevant manager to ensure you are looped into this activity should it be in place.
We are keen to empower events being organised locally within School/College space, that would not require a submission for central space, and would strongly encourage colleagues to explore options of events both pre and post-COP26 as well as opportunities for virtual delivery.
Formal submissions for on campus space are now closed. However we are still keen to receive requests for events as we may be able to allocate space depending on the request. Please email cop26@glasgow.ac.uk to tell us about an event or project.
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What is COP26 and why is it important?
COP stands for Conference of the Parties, and will be attended by countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a treaty agreed in 1994, whose objective is to "stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system".
COPs happen annually and bring together 197 nations and territories – called Parties – that have signed on to the Framework Convention. The 2021 meeting will be the 26th meeting, which is why it's called COP26.
One of the most historic outcomes of a COP was in 2015, the 21st Session of the COP (COP 21) when the first international climate agreement was made, named the Paris Agreement after its host city.
The central aim of the Paris Agreement is to encourage countries to take action to keep global temperature rise in this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius, limiting further climate change.
The continued presence of COP helps the governments of the member parties set their own climate change targets.
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COP 26 - Glasgow 2021
For the first time, the UK will host COP26 in Glasgow on 1-12 November 2021. The climate talks will be the biggest international summit the UK has ever hosted; bringing 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.
Over 30,000 delegates are expected to attend COP 26 which will be delivered across two sites - the Scottish Events Campus (SEC) (referred to as the Blue Zone) and the Glasgow Science Centre (known as the Green Zone).
The Blue Zone is a UN-managed space which hosts the negotiations. The space brings together delegations from 197 Parties, alongside observer organisations to share their stories at panel discussions, side events, exhibits, and cultural events. All attendees within the Blue Zone must be accredited by the UNFCCC.
The Green Zone is managed by the UK Government, and is a platform for the general public, youth groups, civil society, academia, artists, business and others to have their voices heard through events, exhibitions, workshops and talks that promote dialogue, awareness, education and commitments.
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Volunteer
As part of COP26, Glasgow City Council is looking to enlist the help of friendly, outgoing and enthusiastic volunteers to contribute to the success of this momentous event.
As a COP26 Volunteer, you will play your role representing Glasgow and the UK to delegates from around the world. You will provide key information on the conference and conference venues, advice on how to move around the city and promote the best of what Glasgow has to offer. COP26 Volunteers will provide Glasgow’s world-famous warm welcome to ensure that delegates and visitors have the best possible experience, playing a crucial role in the success of an important global event.
Volunteers will undertake shifts during the period 28 October – 14 November and must be available during this period. Volunteers should expect to undertake around six shifts during this time and will be invited to attend training ahead of these dates. Applications are open from Wednesday, 20 January 2021 until Wednesday, 31 March 2021.
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