Events > COP26 Participation

COP26 - How to get involved

Introduction

For the first time, the UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 1-12 November 2021. The climate talks will be the biggest international summit the UK has ever hosted; bringing together heads of state, climate experts, young people, civil society, trade unions, faith groups and Indigenous Peoples to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change. The challenge is not insignificant, but we must step up and work together to save the environment we all live in. The UN Climate Change process is central to that collective action.

This guidance outlines the opportunities for involvement via the UK Government at COP26, details around eligibility criteria, and how you can put forward an expression of interest. As we anticipate a high demand and only have a limited number of opportunities available, we encourage collaboration between organisations. There will be additional opportunities to get involved at COP26, some of which are outlined later on.

As you would expect we are mindful of COVID-19, and putting the health of the participants and the local community first. Our planning therefore remains flexible and this guidance information is subject to change.

For the latest information on COP26 visit ukcop26.org, head to our Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn and subscribe to the COP26 newsletter.

Background

Since 1995, government representatives from around the world have gathered annually for the UN Climate Change Conference (often referred to as the Conference of the Parties, “the COP”).

At COP21, hosted in Paris, world leaders committed to a historic agreement to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 ℃ above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the rise to 1.5 ℃. They also agreed to step up efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change and to make finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development.

The world has woken up to the need to curb emissions and invest in climate resilience. But we all need to move faster down this path, with the UK continuing to lead by example with its net zero targets written into law. At COP26, we need governments, businesses, cities, the scientific community and civil society to work together to accelerate the transformation of our economies, deal with the inevitable impacts of climate change, and bend the curve on global emissions. We want to work with these groups to deliver an inclusive and ambitious COP Summit.

The COP26 Summit

Hosted in Glasgow, COP26 will be delivered across two sites - the Scottish Events Campus (SEC) (referred to as the Blue Zone) and the Glasgow Science Centre (known as the Green Zone).

The Blue Zone is a UN-managed space which hosts the negotiations. The space brings together delegations from 197 Parties, alongside observer organisations to share their stories at panel discussions, side events, exhibits, and cultural events. All attendees within the Blue Zone must be accredited by the UNFCCC. More details can be found on the UNFCCC website.

The Green Zone is managed by the UK Government, and 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.

Continue to COP26 Presidency Themes