COP26: How Londoners can get involved with the climate change conference

The COP26 climate summit kicked off in Glasgow this week, with world leaders and activists coming together to tackle the climate emergency.

The talks, which run from November 1 to 12, will focus on how countries can work together to reach net zero carbon emissions and limit the global temperature rise to no more than 1.5 degrees.

COP stands for ‘Conference of the Parties’, and this is the 26th year it has taken place.

Although most of the action is taking place in Glasgow, there are still a number of side events taking place in London, offering inspiration for the steps we should be taking to help.

Here are a number of events and ways Londoners can get involved with the COP26 climate summit.

Join the Global Day for Action protests

Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8AH November 6 (12noon to 4pm)

The Global Day for Action protests are taking place on Saturday November 6, during the middle weekend of the talks.

There will be a flagship event in Glasgow and other large-scale regional demonstrations in other major cities, and local and international demonstrations in towns across the UK and the world.

Protests in London will begin at noon, meeting near Bishopsgate.

COP26 Coalition

Online

The COP26 Coalition is a UK-based civil society coalition of groups and individuals mobilising around climate justice during COP26.

It holds local meetings, organise demonstrations and help protestors get to Glasgow safely.

The group are organising a series of online events and workshops, including the People’s Summit and the Climate Justice Movement Strategy, that people at home can get involved in.

We are History

Somerset House Til February 6 Free

This October, Somerset House presents We Are History, a new group exhibition offering a different perspective on humanity’s impact on the planet by tracing the complex interrelations between today’s climate crisis and legacies of colonialism.

The exhibition has been curated by writer Ekow Eshun and explores the issues of race, colonialism and climate change through a mix of mediums including photography, prints, textile, installation and video.

Our Future Planet

Science Museum Til September 2022 Free

Our Future Planet showcases the cutting-edge technology and nature-based solutions being developed to trap carbon dioxide released by human activity, notably the burning of fossil fuels.

These include preserving ancient woodlands, adding dust to agricultural fields, capturing carbon dioxide from the air or installing systems that prevent it leaving power stations and factories.

Can Science Save the Planet?

UCL Institute of Education (IOE) November 4 Free

Join UCL’s Department of Science and Technology Studies and UCL’s delegation to COP26 to discuss the role of science and technology in the current international Climate Negotiations.

Speakers include Prof Mark Maslin, UCL Department of Geography and Head of UCL’s delegation to COP26 and Dr Michel Wahome and Prof Jack Stilgoe from the Department of Science and Technology studies.

COP26 Doggerland: An Immersive Climate Change Experience

Filet Space, 103 Murray Grove, N1 7QP November 1 to 12 Free

Doggerland: An Immersive Climate Change Experience is an experimental art production screening which takes visitors on a rollercoaster experience exploring the sights and sounds that may have been witnessed by our ancestors whose culture was washed away, off the east coast of Britain 8,000 years ago.

Highlighting this forgotten aspect of British history, Doggerland hopes to expose the impact that pollution is having on our planet today affecting countries such as India and Bangladesh.

UN COP26: expectations, challenges, goals and actions

Online November 4 & 11

The United Nations Association Climate & Oceans is hosting a series of high profile UN COP26 Fringe events to be presented online.

Join experts from academia, politics, the private sector and civil society to learn more about the challenges of COP26 during the different stages of the conference.

During these online events you will have exclusive COP26 reports from the United Nations in New York and hear interviews from VIPs and delegates attending COP26 in Glasgow.