COP26 Daily

It’s day 5 at COP26 and, in the Blue Zone, the focus is on energy. Cameron speaks to Dr Ahmed Mohamed Mohina (First Undersecretary of State for Research, Planning and Authorities in Egypt), Dr Ramy Mousa El-Maghawry (Acting Head of Egyptian-German Joint Projects on Renewable Energy, Efficiency and Climate Change), Douglas Cape (Power Circle - a social enterprise in Scotland), Ross Greer MSP (Scottish Green Party) and Erik Solheim (Norwegian Diplomat and Former Politician). Al Gore (former US Vice President) also features briefly. And, towards the end of the show, Cameron speaks to American activists who are critical of the official conference in Glasgow.

Power Circle: powercircle.org.uk

Follow Ross Greer MSP on Twitter: twitter.com/Ross_Greer

Erik Solheim: unep.org/people/erik-solheim

Al Gore on Twitter: @algore

For more information about COP26, go to: www.thebiglight.com/cop26

Cameron explores the issue of climate finance on day 4 of COP26. He speaks to Jane Morrison (biologist, young leader and one of Scotland’s ’30 Under 30 Inspiring Women’), Hon. Nqobizitha M. Ndhlovu (Minister - Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry in Zimbabwe), Xiomy Acevedo (Colombian climate activist) and Arjun Dutt (Programme Lead, Centre for Energy Finance - based in New Delhi, India). Later in the show, Cameron speaks to Darren McGarvey (rapper and author of ‘Poverty Safari’) about engagement in climate action and an upcoming march/rally in Glasgow.

Friday 5 November climate strike (and march): twitter.com/FFF_Glasgow/status/1447877894001283080?s=20

Saturday 6 November climate march and rally: cop26coalition.org/resource/cop26-coalition-climate-justice-digital-rally-glasgow-rally/

2050 Climate Group: www.2050.scot

Darren McGarvey: darrenmcgarvey.com

For more information about COP26 Daily, go to: www.thebiglight.cop/26

It's day 3 at COP26 and Cameron takes a look at climate leadership. He speaks to locals in Finnieston (Glasgow) and meets Ed Miliband (Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in the UK) and Malcolm Turnbull (former Prime Minister of Australia).

For more information about COP26 Daily, go to: www.thebiglight.com/cop26

Thumbnail image by Peter Kennard (contemporary artist): www.peterkennard.com

Day 2 at COP26 was action packed! World leaders arrive and Cameron speaks to Laura Young ('Less Waste Laura'), Bill McKibben, Kenny Anderson (a.k.a King Creosote), Patti Smith, Mary Kinyua and Mohamed Nasheed.

Laura Young's website: www.lesswastelaura.com

Fairtrade International: www.fairtrade.net

For more information about the podcast, go to: www.thebiglight.com/cop26

It’s the first day of the UN’s 26th Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland. Cameron introduces some of the key issues at the summit and speaks to activists, delegates and government representatives. Towards the end of the episode, he travels to Theatre Royal to meet Rebecca Foon - co-founder of Pathway to Paris. 

For more information about the podcast, go to: www.thebiglight.com/cop26

Official goals of COP26 (https://ukcop26.org/cop26-goals/):

1. Secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach

Countries are being asked to come forward with ambitious 2030 emissions reductions targets that align with reaching net zero by the middle of the century.

To deliver on these stretching targets, countries will need to:

• accelerate the phase-out of coal
• curtail deforestation
• speed up the switch to electric vehicles
• encourage investment in renewables.

2. Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats

The climate is already changing and it will continue to change even as we reduce emissions, with devastating effects.

At COP26 we need to work together to enable and encourage countries affected by climate change to:

• protect and restore ecosystems
• build defences, warning systems and resilient infrastructure and agriculture to avoid loss of homes, livelihoods and even lives

3. Mobilise finance

To deliver on our first two goals, developed countries must make good on their promise to mobilise at least $100bn in climate finance per year by 2020. 

International financial institutions must play their part and we need work towards unleashing the trillions in private and public sector finance required to secure global net zero.

4. Work together to deliver

We can only rise to the challenges of the climate crisis by working together.

At COP26 we must:

• finalise the Paris Rulebook (the detailed rules that make the Paris Agreement operational)
• accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis through collaboration between governments, businesses and civil society.

Next week, all eyes and ears will be on Glasgow for COP26 - the UN’s urgent call to action in the fight against climate change.

For audio links and further information, go to: www.thebiglight.com/cop26

Taking you to the heart of the conference.

For more information about COP26 Daily, go to: www.thebiglight.com/cop26