Thanks to the COP26 summit in Glasglow, November is going to be a big month for decision makers and world leaders when it comes to climate change.
You may know that members of the royal family are set to attend the event - though the Queen has pulled out on doctor's orders - but how much do you actually know about the momentous conference, which is being spearheaded in the UK? Here's why it's so important...
Global rapid response IS possible (and effective!).
What is the COP26?
COP stands for 'Conference of the Parties', and November's gathering in Glasgow will mark the 26th annual summit since 1995, when they began in Berlin.
The yearly event sees world leaders, government representatives, negotiators, businesses and citizens from all over the world come together to discuss action against climate change - it's officially known as the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties.
Since the UK is President of the talks in 2021, COP26 will take place in Glasgow, in partnership with Italy. The conference was postponed in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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When is COP26?
The conference will be held from 31 October to 12 November 2021, at the Scottish Event Campus.
What's going to happen at COP26?
This year's summit is set to be game-changing, since it marks the moment that every country will set their new promises for reducing emissions - after previously pledging to limit global warming six years ago.
At the COP21 conference in 2015, every country agreed to work together, setting the goal of 2020's summit (which was then postponed) to minimise temperature rises to 1.5 degrees.
They agreed that every five years they would come back with an updated plan that would reflect their highest possible ambition at that time.
Reader, we didn't even come close to that 1.5 degree goal.
So at COP26, governments will need to make some big pledges in order to make a real difference to the climate change crisis.
The LA fires are a reminder that we must act now to save our planet.
What are the COP26's goals for climate change?
The conference aims to achieve four key goals during negotiations:
- Stay on track to reach net zero emissions by 2050, with ambitious targets for 2030
- Protect habitats and communities that have been affected by climate change
- Secure funding from developed countries for the cause
- Work together and collaborate between each country in order to reach goals
Can I attend COP26?
You can. The COP26 'Green Zone' will be open to the public, with four event spaces including a cinema and science theatre, immersive exhibitions, pop-up exhibitions and an outdoor display of zero-emission vehicles. You can book tickets on the COP26 website.
How will the outcomes of COP26 affect the public?
The aim of the conference is to secure a happy and healthy future for our world and everyone in it - so it concerns us all. You can find out even more about COP26 here.
