UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has launched its programme of activities and engagement for COP26, at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow.
The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) is taking place from 31 October to 12 November. It is the largest meeting convened by the UN. It focuses on climate change and the actions and plans nations around the world put in place to tackle it.
A key aim of COP26 is for nations to re-affirm their commitment to net zero if we are to keep the global goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C within reach.
Research and innovation play a crucial role in enabling nations to deliver on their net zero commitments by mid-century, by:
- informing action
- helping create sustainable and resilient solutions
- encouraging new behaviours and new ways of living.
Demonstrating impact
At this critical point in time, UKRI is taking part in COP26 to:
- demonstrate the role and impact of research and innovation in climate action
- celebrate the work our research community has done over the past 50 years to understand our climate
- demonstrate what research and innovation can do now to help keep 1.5°C alive.
Alison Robinson, UKRI Strategic Lead for COP26 said:
Through COP, we want to inform and inspire the public, businesses, researchers and governments on how to take climate action.
We will build momentum for the change we need and catalyse the global partnerships needed to share knowledge, focus effort and generate solutions.
Inspiring climate collaborations
During the lead-up in October and throughout the event itself, UKRI will be holding events and exhibitions, working with national and international partners to engage audiences with examples of work that go beyond measuring and predicting impacts to identifying ways to accelerate the social, economic and cultural change to reach net zero.
UKRI and partners will be present in the COP26 green zone throughout the summit and will be contributing to discussions and key activities across both official zones.
To complement the physical presence at COP26, UKRI has launched a virtual event site. This is open to all audiences across the world, offering access to events and information to inspire, connect and celebrate our climate collaborations.
Visit the UKRI COP26 virtual event site to find out more about UKRI COP26 activity.
The full programme of green zone (open to the public) activities for COP26 can be found by visiting the main UK COP26 website.
Top image: Credit: Taechit Taechamanodom / Getty Images