South of Scotland businesses, organisations and community groups are being encouraged to get involved in COP26 by taking part in a series of virtual events.
This includes Scotland’s Climate Ambition Zone which will see over 60 events take place between 1 and 11 November, across a wide range of relevant Net Zero topics.
It will offer a shop window of the best of Scotland’s climate action including some of Scotland’s best innovative low carbon businesses.
A number of local businesses and enterprises are actively participating in the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise hosted Climate Ambition Zone, either through the virtual expo or in attendance and as panellists at one of the numerous events being held over the fortnight.
More information including online registration details for Scotland’s Climate Action Zone is available here.
There are a host of ways of virtually participating in the various events and zones being held at COP26 which runs from Sunday 31 October to Friday 12 November in Glasgow.
Blue Zone
The main negotiations will take place in the Blue Zone which is managed by the UN.
This will bring together delegations from 197 parties, alongside observer organisations to share their stories at panel discussions, side events, exhibits, and cultural events.
The Scottish Government will co-host the multi-level Action Pavilion in the official COP Blue Zone to showcase the vital role of states and regions in the international response to the climate crisis.
The pavilion will be opened on 1 November and Scotland will also play a prominent role in the Peatland, Nordic and Cryosphere Pavilions in the Blue Zone.
You can watch via https://unfccc.int/cop26/virtual
Green Zone
Managed by the UK Government, the Green Zone 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.
You can get involved via https://ukcop26.org/the-conference/green-zone-programme-of-events/
World Climate Summit – 7 and 8 November
Organised by World Climate Foundation, World Climate Summit The Investment COP 2021 is recognised as one of the most important official side events of COP26.
It is the leading forum for business and investment driven solutions to climate change, acknowledging the essential importance of collaboration and the ‘bottom up’ perspective in solving climate change.
Digital registration is available at www.worldclimatesummit.org
World Biodiversity Summit – 10 November
This event will address the potential for science-based targets, ecosystem services, updated economic models and public private partnerships to mitigate ecosystem degradation.
More information and digital registration is available at www.worldbiodiversitysummit.org/glasgow
Sustainable Innovation Forum 2021
Climate Action has been uniting heads of state and multilaterals, environment ministers, business leaders, investors, and NGOs alongside the UN Climate Change negotiations, convening the largest multi stakeholder forum: Sustainable Innovation Forum.
The 12th edition takes place alongside COP26 in Glasgow with a fully programmed hybrid event creating a virtual window into COP26.
More details: https://events.climateaction.org/sustainable-innovation-forum/about/event-overview/
Climate Fringe Online
A home for events of all kinds in the run up to, and during, COP26.
More details: https://climatefringe.org/events-calendar/
Race to Zero
SOSE is encouraging all organisations in the South of Scotland to join the Race to Zero campaign by signing up to The SME Climate Commitment on the UK Climate Hub at https://smeclimatehub.org/sme-climate-commitment/
SOSE is then urging all organisations to reach out to them via www.southofscotlandenterprise.com/contact-us once they have signed up to the Race to Zero – as further help and support can be provided.
Dr Martin Valenti, SOSE’s Director of Net Zero, added:
“Scotland is facing a massive climate opportunity, and with COP26 on the horizon, we must grasp it now.
“We won’t see the UN Climate Change Conference come to Scotland again in our lifetimes, and as such we must harness the passion and energy we have to make COP26 count.
“We know the Net Zero journey is one which is not easy – particularly with various other pressures facing business at this time.
“But by working together, we can achieve our collective goal, and that starts by South of Scotland businesses, organisations and community groups getting involved in the wide variety of exciting events taking place during COP26.
“I would also encourage businesses to sign up to Race to Zero, and let us know when you do so we can start working together to take the South of Scotland on its Net Zero journey.
“I am delighted South of Scotland Enterprise is playing such a proactive role in COP26 and we will aim to showcase our region, and Scotland, to the world – including what our businesses and communities are doing to meet our world-leading climate targets.”
