Countdown to COP: A Primer on This Year’s UN Climate Conference

Delayed for a full year due to the pandemic, the next major climate conference of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) begins later this month. Leaders from governments, civil society, and the private sector will converge in Glasgow and virtually to determine the next major steps to address the climate crisis. Can Glasgow deliver on the promises made in Paris in 2015? On this episode of ClimateReady, we’re joined by Vel Gnanendran, Climate and Environment Advisor for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, or FCDO. With the UK as host of this year’s conference of the parties, or COP, we take the opportunity to ask Vel about the major priorities and aspirations being worked towards, and why the average person should be paying attention. Vel talks about encouraging work being done to bridge the gap between climate risks and adaptation, and the need for more locally led adaptation and access to climate finance. This episode is the first in a four-part miniseries focused on COP26 coming out over the next month. COP26 takes place from 31 October through 12 November.