Why COP26 Matters and How You Can Get Involved

Authors: Anne Marie Bihirabake and Alice Hubbard

Co-Convenors Global Greens COP26 Working Group

With thanks to contributions from Mark Dunlea (US Green Party), Paul Hellard (Australian Greens), Elizabeth May (Green Party of Canada), Frank Sheridan (Green Party of England and Wales), Marie Therese Merhej Seif (Green Party of Lebanon) and Henry Tran (Green Party of France).

A ‘last chance’ COP

For many Greens around the world, the 26th United Climate Change Conference (COP26), which is scheduled to take place from 1st-12th November in Glasgow, is our ‘last chance’ COP. Whilst there have been encouraging pledges for Green Recovery, and the United States rejoining the Paris Agreement, ultimately, the harsh truth is that governments around the world have failed to deliver on the necessary action required to hold the global temperature to 1.5 degrees. 

Meanwhile, 2020 was a year of unprecedented climate events – from forest fires in Siberia, fire storms in the Western US, warming and melting Arctic, intense hurricanes driven by warmer ocean temperatures, collapsing ice shelves, retreating glaciers, droughts, and devastating floods. The signals could not be clearer. 

In multiple ways, the COVID-19 pandemic is the fuel on the fire. But it has also given way for an unprecedented opportunity for rapid transformation of our economies away from fossil fuels, and increasing calls for action on climate change. As we edge perilously near the point of no return, this is an opportune moment to mobilise greens to rally around COP26 for #ClimateJustice.  

We are stronger together

 Global Greens, representing Green Parties from over 100 countries, is committed to working with all Green parties and movements around the world, and joining forces on the frontline of climate change to inspire climate action ahead of COP26. With over 400 green parliamentarians worldwide, and an extensive international global green network, Global Greens facilitates a vital space for transnational collaboration. As a global network we also have a duty to amplify the voices of underrepresented groups, including people from the Global South, women and young people – all of whom must be front and centre at COP26. Collectively, we demand all governments to face the facts, redouble efforts and do what is necessary for climate justice.

Work so far

The Global Greens COP26 Working Group brings together greens from across all four regional federations (Africa, Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe) to coordinate Global Green activities around COP26. 

We have over 100 greens on our COP26 mailing list, including a dynamic group of 40+, which meets monthly. We recently finalised our strategy paper, which focuses on showcasing bold and ambitious green policies to tackle climate change, and to meet the requirements set out in the Paris Agreement. We also want to use this opportunity to highlight positive narratives of green parliamentarians around the world and establish Global Green parties as political leaders to advance legislative agendas to address climate change. 

For the delivery of Global Green COP26 related activities, we are planning events, articles and press releases which coincide with key dates, including Biden’s Climate Leaders Summit (which coincides with Earth Day), World Environment Day, World Oceans Day, and the G7 summit. Stay tuned for updates!

In the meantime, check out our press release from December 2020: On the Edge of Disaster. On the Fifth Anniversary of the Paris Agreement, the Global Greens Call for Action, Not Celebration.  

About COP26 Working Group & how you can take action

The Global Greens COP26 Working Group was established in November 2020 to coordinate Global Green activities in the lead up to COP26. Any member is welcome in any capacity! If you would like to subscribe to the mailing list for updates (including meeting dates and updates), please contact secretary@globalgreens.org. If you would like to participate more actively (e.g. assisting with the organisation of webinars, drafting press releases, writing articles etc.), please contact Alice and Anne Marie via cop26convenor@globalgreens.org. We particularly encourage involvement from Greens in the Global South! 

Also: check out the upcoming webinar series from the COP26 coalition, a civil society coalition for COP26 in the UK.