What is COP 26? 

COP stands for Conference of Parties, and will be attended by countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – a treaty agreed in 1994. The 2021 meeting, due to take place in Glasgow between 31 October and 12 November, will be the 26th meeting, which is why it’s called COP26. The climate talks will bring together heads of state, climate experts and campaigners to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change. 

Event Description  

This event will address COP26 and why this conference has been billed as extremely important to avoid serious climate consequences, as well as an analysis on what agreements are required to curb the worst impacts from social, political, economic and environmental perspectives. 

The climate crisis has arrived; in 2021 alone, the increase of catastrophic extreme weather and damage to the natural world has affected millions of individuals, communities, and entire countries – a stark reminder of the magnitude of challenges that lay ahead. From extreme flooding to wildfires and heat waves to hurricanes, the climate crisis has established itself as one of, if not the biggest challenge humanity will ever face.  

However, with great challenges come great opportunities; not all is lost and there is still some time to change course. The highly anticipated COP26 will bring together world leaders across 196 countries to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change. What agreements are needed, and are our climate ambitions bold enough? How can you tackle the climate crisis as an individual? What role does the University play in all of this? Join us to get insights into some of these questions from an expert panel, and come along with questions of your own which we will have time to address throughout the event. 

This event is open to students and staff members