We are honoured to be exhibiting pieces from the Sketch for Survival and Focus for Survival collections in the Blue Zone of the SEC in Glasgow for the COP26 conference which runs from 31 October to 12 November.
Five artworks have been selected for display in the Leaders’ Lounge with a further 20 being displayed elsewhere in the Blue Zone.
It is a huge thrill to showcase the work of our contributors on the world’s biggest stage, and to reinforce the message of ‘Protect and Restore‘ through our art and photography collections. All 25 pieces being displayed feature endangered species or at-risk wild spaces.
We understand from the organisers that there were over 7,000 applicants for exhibition space in the Blue Zone of the conference. Thousands more applied for space in th Green Zone, which is open to the public. Just 14 official photographic exhibits, plus our art and photography exhibit were selected for the c30,000 delegates expected to descend on Glasgow to enjoy. Just 4 of these were selected for the Leaders’ Lounge.
Rob and I will be attending the conference as delegates and will report back at the end of the conference on our experience.
Ultimately, we are hopeful that the conference results in a declaration from all countries to reduce fossil fuel emissions.
WHAT YOU DO COUNTS
Alone, our steps may seem small. But when we come together, we have the power to influence brands, markets, governments and more – challenging others to act boldly and speed up change on a global scale.
COP26 will be a decisive moment – climate change is a clear and present danger to all people and our planet.
The decisions made at COP26 will impact you – how you travel, what you eat and how you heat your home.
To find out more about the conference please see below.
What is COP26?
The world is warming because of human activity.
Extreme weather events such as heatwaves, floods and forest fires are becoming more frequent and more destructive. The past decade was the warmest on record. The real-world consequences of rising temperatures are already all too visible.
COP26 is the 2021 edition of the United Nations annual climate change conference. COP stands for Conference of the Parties. Every year, world leaders meet to make important decisions about how humanity tackles the climate change. The UK is hosting this year’s meeting – COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference.
COP26 is the biggest summit the UK has ever hosted and is the most significant climate event since COP21, the 2015 United Nations climate conference which resulted in the Paris Agreement.
Between 1990 and 2019, the UK’s economy grew by 78% while emissions fell by 44%, the fastest reduction in the G7. The Prime Minister has launched the Green Ten Point Plan – which sets the UK on the path to a greener, more prosperous future, mobilising £12 billion of government investment to create up to 250,000 highly-skilled green jobs and spur over £40 billion in investment from the private sector into the UK.
China, the US, EU countries and India have the highest greenhouse gas emissions, so their commitment to tackle climate change is paramount. On the agenda will be:
- Targets for reducing emissions including phasing out fossil fuels and switching to green energy and things like electric cars
- Protecting carbon sinks: forests and sea grass meadows
- Protecting people from the impacts of climate change
Why is the Blue Zone so important?
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 not-for-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.
What is net zero?
Net zero means finding a balance between the greenhouse gases that an individual or organisation puts into the atmosphere, and those that are ‘taken out’.In other words, it’s making sure that for all the gases emitted, you are removing the same amount from the atmosphere, making yourself carbon ‘neutral’.Achieving net zero is necessary if we are to tackle climate change and protect people, the planet and our natural world.The UK has set a target of being net zero by 2050.
The 25 pieces selected for display at COP26, as chosen from our collections by the organising committee, are shown below.
