COP26 is happening Oct. 31–Nov. 12, 2021!
COP stands for Conference of the Parties. The Parties include the 196 countries and the EU who signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) treaty in 1994. That treaty established an international, environmental agreement to combat “dangerous human interference with the climate system,” committing to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations within a time-frame sufficient to such a level to “allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened, and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner.” (See https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-convention/what-is-the-united-nations-framework-convention-on-climate-change.)
Get curious. Tune in and check out the progress. COP26 is the 26th meeting of the Parties. The UK and partners in Italy are co-hosting the conference in Glasgow beginning Sunday. This United Nations climate change conference is among the largest international meetings in the world. Negotiations involve government officials, representatives from civil society and global news media from every country in the world.
What happens? Activity takes place in two different zones—the Blue Zone and the Green Zone. The Blue Zone involves people registered with the United Nations body that is tasked with coordinating the global response to the threat of climate change—the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). These people may be members of a national delegation, work for the United Nations and related organizations or agencies, or be members of media or nonprofit observer organizations. Delegates from countries meet for formal negotiations and informal consultations and meet with other delegations to clarify positions and interests.
The Green Zone is for the general public. The UNFCCC will also host a range of events, including technical briefings, to support the negotiations process. 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.
For more information, see https://ukcop26.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/COP26-Explained.pdf.
Regardless of our direct involvement, may we continue to reflect with how we might continue to stand with the most vulnerable people, nations, animal and plant species, to care for all of creation.
—Ann Jackson, PBVM, Prairiewoods spiritual services coordinator