About the COP
COP26 is the 2021 edition of the United Nations annual Climate Change Conference. COP stands for Conference of the Parties. Parties are the signatories of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - a treaty agreed in 1994 which has 197 Parties (196 countries and the EU). The 2021 conference, hosted by the UK, together with our partners Italy, in Glasgow, will be the 26th meeting of the Parties, which is why it's called COP26. United Nations climate change conferences are among the largest international meetings in the world. The negotiations between governments are complex and involve officials from every country in the world as well as representatives from civil society and the global news media.
The COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference, hosted by the UK in partnership with Italy, will take place from 31 October to 12 November 2021 in the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow, UK.
In light of the worldwide effects of COVID-19, the COP Bureau of the UNFCCC, with the UK and its Italian partners, had decided to re-schedule the conference initially slated for November 2020. Rescheduling the conference ensures that all parties can focus on the issues to be discussed at this vital conference and allows more time for the necessary preparations to take place. We will continue to work with all involved to increase climate ambition, build resilience and lower emissions.
You can read more here on the Road to Glasgow.
What happens at the COP26
Activity at a COP takes place in two different zones - the Blue Zone and the Green Zone. The Blue Zone is for people registered with the UN body tasked with coordinating the global response to the threat of climate change – the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
In the Blue Zone you might be part of a national delegation, work for the United Nations and related organisations & agencies or be a member of the media or non-profit observer organisation. In the Blue Zone, delegates from countries meet for both formal negotiations and informal consultations. They may also take part in meetings with other delegations to clarify their position and interests with the aim of reaching agreement or overcoming a negotiating deadlock. The UNFCCC will also host a range of events, including technical briefings, to support the negotiations process.
The Green Zone is for the general public. There will be a wide range of events, including workshops, art exhibitions and installations, as well as presentations, demonstrations of technology and musical performances for everyone to attend.
The presidency programme for COP26 will showcase momentum from the whole of society, and focus on key issues to drive ambition and action. Progressing the negotiations will be at the heart of the summit. Key cross-cutting elements such as science and inclusivity will be incorporated throughout, and we will ensure that a balance of mitigation, adaptation and finance runs through the whole COP26 programme.
How to get involved
There are three categories of attendees permitted to attend COP26. These are representatives of Parties to the Convention and Observer States, members of the press and media, and representatives of observer organisations.
As a member of the public, there will be a variety of ways to get involved in COP26:
By attending as a representative of an observer organisation:
Certain NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and IGOs (inter-governmental organisations) have observer status to attend COP26.
More information on which organisations are permitted observer status can be found on the UNFCCC website here.
A team of host city volunteers will be recruited to contribute to the event’s success. The programme will provide a unique opportunity for friendly, enthusiastic people with a passion for climate change to play their part and represent their country to the rest of the world. Find out more about the volunteering opportunities available, and how to register your interest here.
You can also get involved by exhibiting, performing or hosting an event within the two week programme.
The public will be able to register for tickets for the Green Zone through an online platform that will be launched closer to the event. These will be free-of-charge. The platform launch will be communicated via our digital channels including the newsletter and social media.