COP26

More about COP26

Since 1995, world governments have met every year to negotiate a response to global climate change. These 197 nations and territories, signatories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, are represented at the Conference of the Parties (COP), responsible for reviewing the implementation of the Convention. This year will be the 26th meeting of the COP, hence COP26.

The two week conference in Glasgow will involve around 200 presidents and prime ministers and some 30,000 delegates reporting back on progress since the Paris Agreement and, hopefully, making some new decisions on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the impact that climate change is already having.

COP26 and the University of Leeds

The Priestley Centre has initiated a University taskforce to support activities both in the run up to COP and at the conference itself. This group is developing a University of Leeds COP26 delivery plan with a number of key actions and policy engagement activities essential for positioning the University’s work alongside other leading HE institutions from across the UK.

Research and innovation from the University of Leeds can contribute to important discussions and negotiations taking place in the run up to COP26 and during the summit in Glasgow. We want to highlight the best climate-related research outputs from the University on the global stage.

We also want to celebrate our ambitious net-zero commitments and explore opportunities to extend this ambition not only on campus, but also locally, nationally and internationally.

Resources

What is COP and why does it matter?

A recording of our first webinar discussing UNFCCC, COP, and the role Leeds can play in the run up to COP26

Watch

The role of universities on the road to COP26

Read our blog that was first published by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit

Stepping up climate action ahead of COP26: Opportunities for researchers

Listen to an audio recording of this webinar that outlines the role that researchers can play in raising the ambition for climate action in the lead up to COP26. It includes a keynote presentation from Dr Martin Frick, Senior Director for Programmes Coordination at the UNFCCC.

Listen

The leadership challenge of COP26, 2021

An article from Professor Richard Beardsworth, Head of School - School of Politics and International Studies. Published by Open Access Government.

RINGO and You: Researcher Engagement with COP26

Watch RINGO Co-Focal Point Tracy Bach discuss the place of research in the UN climate change negotiations and highlight how researchers can most effectively engage in them.

Watch

COP26 UK Universities Network

The University of Leeds is part of a growing group of UK-based universities working together to help deliver an ambitious outcome at the UN Climate Summit in Glasgow and beyond. It aims to improve access to evidence and academic expertise for the UK Government, NGOs and the international community. Read more about the network here.

The network is publishing a series of briefings pertinent to themes of the negotiations:

@PriestleyCentre

“What connects climate resilient urban water supplies, the role of religion in climate action, and tracking the acce… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…”

“RT @Law_Leeds: Connecting Voices for Climate Action is a week of exciting events focused on building ambition for #COP26 & beyond.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…”

“RT @gcrfafricap: A huge thank you to all who joined us on 31 March to learn more about AFRICAP research on climate-smart agriculture… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…”