What is COP26?

COP26 gets the green light - 1st November 2021

The UK is hosting a summit that is seen as crucial if climate change is to be brought under control. Dubbed “the COP26”, the conference is an annual event that brings parties from around the world together to keep working towards the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Held in Glasgow, the 26th COP meeting runs from the end of October to 12th November. Normally a yearly event, 2020's conference was called off due to the Coronavirus pandemic. For this conference, 200 countries have been invited to declare their proposals to cut emissions by 2030.

In 2015, 195 nations accepted the need to reduce carbon emissions to keep global heating "well below" a 2C increase and to try to aim for 1.5C. This is referred to as the Paris Agreement. And countries will need to keep reducing their emissions until they reach their ultimate target of net zero in 2050.

COP26 will be the biggest summit the UK has ever hosted with as many as 25,000 people due to take part. These include political leaders and their negotiating teams as well as the media.

There will also be thousands of environmental protesters networking and demonstrating. Extinction Rebellion, who are demanding a much quicker end to fossil fuels, will undoubtedly show up. Companies with a green agenda will also be present and holding events in and around the conference.

The conference is expected to end with some form of declaration, with each country committing to actions that will enable them to keep to the Paris Agreement. These changes will impact on everyone's lives from our choice of vehicle to how we heat our homes or how often we fly.