Investment to tackle “loss and damage” from climate change
Funding to help some of the world’s most vulnerable communities recover from and build resilience against climate change will be announced as world leaders gather for COP26.
The Scottish Government’s Climate Justice Fund will provide £1 million to support a partnership with the Climate Justice Resilience Fund to help communities repair and rebuild from climate-related events, such as flooding and wild fires.
The partnership forms part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensure COP26 empowers the most vulnerable to tackle structural inequalities.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will make the announcement at the Global Climate Assembly at a Green Zone event today, where she will set out Scotland’s intention to bridge the divide between those whose voices are rarely heard and those making the decisions.
The First Minister said: “Climate justice has to be at the heart of COP26 – and the Scottish Government is working to ensure that it provides a platform for unheard voices, including citizens, young people and those from the Global South.
“Through our work on climate justice, Scotland continues to proudly support nations which – despite having done the least to cause climate change – are already suffering its impact.
“We don’t have the resources of other western governments, but we can lead by example. And so I’m pleased to announce that not only are we doubling our climate justice fund to £24 million – we’re also entering into a partnership with the Climate Justice Resilience Fund to support communities and address loss and damage, supported by this £1 million investment.
“I hope this will galvanise other organisations to support the partnership – and show world leaders that where small nations lead they can follow, by making similarly ambitious commitments during COP26.”
The First Minister met with President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera, yesterday to discuss a COP hub which will open in the country to connect Malawian youth and community leaders to events in Glasgow (top).
She also met the Prime Minister of Viet Nam, Mr Pham Min Chihn, at Bute House (above).
Glasgow’s cleansing service went on strike from 00.01am this morning.
Responding to the collapse of last ditch talks between GMB and Glasgow City Council late last night, , GMB Scotland Secretary Louise Gilmour said: “We met the council in good faith, offering a clear set of proposals to reset industrial relations and avoid strikes. The council rejected these proposals.
“We specifically offered heads of terms to work together to tackle the chronic and unacceptable problems caused by years of cuts, to urgently address the employer’s unresolved discriminatory pay system and outstanding equal pay liabilities, and back this with a commitment from the council that they would not use anti-trade union laws against their workers again.
“We also proposed the Scottish Government support this process, because if the fair work agenda is to have any credibility whatsoever, then Scotland’s biggest city should be the example of it rather than the opposite.
“Regrettably, the council refused this massive opportunity to move forward and strike action across the cleansing service will now begin, during which time our members will be balloted on the COSLA pay offer.”
‘If we act now, and we act together, we can protect our precious planet’
COP 26 president Alok Sharma
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s opening remarks at a press conference at the G20 in Rome:
Six years ago the Paris Agreement made an historic commitment to end the destruction and devastation caused by climate change.
Together they agreed to limit global temperature increases to well below 2 degrees with a view to keeping that increase at 1.5 degrees.
But hundreds of summits, speeches, press conferences like this later, those words and promises are starting to sound, frankly, hollow.
The science is clear that we need to act now to halve emissions by 2030 and keep 1.5 degrees within reach.
There are no compelling excuses for our procrastination.
Not only have we acknowledged the problem, we are already seeing first-hand the devastation climate change causes: from heat waves and droughts to wildfires and hurricanes.
And unlike many other global challenges, the solution to climate change is clear.
It lies in consigning dirty fossil fuels like coal to history, in ditching gas guzzling modes of transport and recognising the role that nature plays in preserving life on this planet, and harnessing the power of nature through renewable energy rather than orchestrating its destruction.
If we don’t act right know the Paris agreement will be looked at in the future not as the moment humanity opened its eyes to the problem, but the moment we flinched and turned away.
We’ve seen some progress in the last few days and weeks.
Saudi Arabia, Australia and Russia have all made net zero commitments – meaning 80% of the global economy will wipe out its contribution to climate change by the middle of the century, up from 30% thanks to the UK’s COP26 leadership.
Countries such as the United States have doubled their spending on climate aid. Every nation at this weekend’s summit will end the financial support for
international unabated coal projects by the end of this year.
But these commitments, welcome as they are, are drops in a rapidly warming ocean when we consider the challenge we have all admitted is ahead of us.
Just 12 G20 members have committed to reach net zero by 2050 or earlier. Barely half of us have submitted improved plans for how we will cut carbon emissions since the Paris Summit in 2015.
And we have also failed to meet our commitment to provide $100bn a year to support developing countries to grow in a clean and sustainable way.
The UN says emissions will rise by 15% by 2030, and they need to halve by then.
The countries most responsible for historic and present-day emissions are not yet doing their fair share of the work.
If we are going to Prevent COP26 from being a failure then that must change.
And I must be clear, that if Glasgow fails, then the whole thing fails.
The Paris Agreement will have crumpled at the first reckoning. The world’s only mechanism, viable mechanism, for dealing with climate change will be holed beneath the water line.
Right now the Paris Agreement, and the hope that came with it, is just a piece of paper. We need to fill that piece of paper to populate it with real progress.
And I know that humanity has in it the power to rise to the challenge.
The UK has proved it can be done – we have lowered our greenhouse gas emissions by 44% in the last 30 years whilst increasing our GDP by 78%.
And we’re cutting our contribution to climate change more and more every day.
We have made some progress at this G20. We have had a reasonable G20, but there is a huge way still to go.
We all know that we have the technology. What we need to do now is to raise the finance, but above all we need the political will, in Glasgow, to make those commitments.
And to keep alive the hope of restraining the growth of our temperatures to 1.5 degrees.
Thank you very much and see you in Glasgow.
COP26 President Alok Sharma’s opening speech at COP26
Friends, it is an honour to speak to you today for the first time as COP President. And I want to thank my dear friend Carolina for her really strong leadership over the past two years.
Friends, I am very aware of the responsibility placed upon me in this role.
And I do not underestimate the challenge.
Let me start first by formally welcoming you to Glasgow.
And I want to thank you for all your efforts in getting to the United Kingdom, which I know for some has been arduous due to the impacts of the pandemic.
Indeed for almost two years now the pandemic has caused devastation and disruption, to lives and livelihoods across the world.
And I know this has particularly affected the least developed countries and the small island developing states.
And because of the pandemic, as you know, we postponed COP26 by a year. But during that year, climate change did not take time off.
And the IPCC report in August was a wake-up call for all of us.
It made clear that the lights are flashing red on the climate dashboard.
That report, agreed by 195 Governments, makes clear that human activity is unequivocally the cause of global warming.
And we know that the window to keep 1.5 degrees within reach is closing.
I have been humbled to speak over this year with communities devastated by climate change.
On a visit to Jomsom in Nepal, in the Hindu-Kush region I spoke to communities literally displaced from their homes from a combination of droughts and floods.
In Barbuda I met communities still suffering from the ravages of Hurricane Irma four years ago.
I have spoken with communities in East Africa fighting plagues of locusts spawned by climate change.
And earlier this month I spoke to a group of women in Madagascar,
Determinedly coping with what some describe, as the first climate induced famine in the world.
Friends, in each of our countries we are seeing the devastating impact of a changing climate.
Floods, cyclones, wildfires, record temperatures.
We know that our shared planet is changing for the worse.
And we can only address that together, through this international system.
And we know what we need to do.
Because six years ago, in Paris we agreed our shared goals.
We said we would protect people and nature from the effects of climate change.
We said we would get finance flowing to climate action.
And we said we would limit the rise in global temperature to well below two degrees pursuing efforts towards 1.5.
The rapidly changing climate is sounding an alarm to the world, to step up on adaptation, to address loss and damage, and to act now to keep 1.5 alive.
We know that this COP, COP26, is our last best hope to keep 1.5 in reach.
And I know that we have an unprecedented negotiations agenda ahead of us.
But I believe this international system can deliver.
It must deliver.
And as COP President I am committed to promoting transparency and inclusivity.
And I will lead this conference in accordance with the draft rules of procedure, and with the utmost respect for the party-driven nature of our process.
In that spirit I believe that we can resolve the outstanding issues. We can move the negotiations forward. And we can launch a decade of every increasing ambition and action.
And, together, we can seize the enormous opportunities for green growth, for good green jobs, for cheaper, cleaner power.
But we need to hit the ground running to develop the solutions that we need.
And that work, my friends, starts today.
And we will succeed.
Or fail.
As one.
Astronauts speak of the intense emotion they feel when looking back at Earth from space. Seeing it gleaming through the darkness of the cosmos. Incredible, improbable and infinitely precious.
And if we act now, and we act together, we can protect our precious planet.
So let’s come together over these two weeks. And ensure that where Paris promised, Glasgow delivers.
18th and 19th century artworks reworked to imagine a net zero carbon future shaped by engineering
· Digital artist has reworked masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh, Constable and Pissarro to inspire a conversation about the engineering advances that could help to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
· Innovations such as agricultural robots, smart thermochromic windows, vertical farms and flying taxis have been woven into the reimagined impressionist masterpieces to depict what a more sustainable world may look like in the future.
· The artworks have been commissioned by the Royal Academy of Engineering ahead of This is Engineering Day on Wednesday 3 November, which aims to encourage more young people to choose engineering careers and help achieve net zero carbon by 2050.
· Sympathetic reimaginings show how innovative agriculture, aviation, transport and buildings could help to transform everyday life and landscapes.
Painters such as Constable, Monet, Pissarro, and Van Gogh first made their marks in the art world during the industrial revolution. While this era drove economic benefits and improvements in living standards for many, we now know that it triggered the start of rising carbon emissions leading to global warming.
Ahead of COP26, masterpieces by these iconic artists have been reimagined to inspire conversations about the kinds of engineering advances that could help to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Electric planes and flying taxis, vertical orchards and rooftop farms are just some of the innovations that feature in the reworked masterpieces, commissioned by the Royal Academy of Engineering as part of its This Is Engineering campaign to promote engineering careers in response to a significant skills and diversity shortfall in the profession.
Van Gogh’s Factories at Clichy, Constable’s The Wheat Field, Pissarro’s La Rue Saint- Honoré and Monet’s The Seashore at Sainte-Adresse have been digitally remastered by a contemporary artist, Ashly Lovett, to show how engineering innovations could help to transform everyday life and landscapes in the future.
The Engineer the Future collection can be viewed during COP26 at Strathclyde University in Glasgow and online via Google Arts & Culture.
The aim of the exhibition is to start a conversation about what we want a net zero future to look like, and the role of future engineers in that, with viewers invited to contribute their own ideas via social media on This is Engineering Day on Wednesday 3 November.
Were Van Gogh to paint Factories at Clichy in 2050, his masterpiece might feature autonomous ‘agbots’ – agricultural robots – tending the crops using precision farming; a development that could help to slash agricultural carbon emissions.
In the skies above, Sophie Harker, Assistant Chief Engineer of Electric Products at BAE Systems, thinks the painter would capture a variety of electrically powered ways to transport ourselves and our goods in 2050.
She says: “In the future, we may be using a pod system for public transport, for example on a Hyperloop. These pods could look like the Maglev trains and could travel within a vacuum to reduce drag and increase speed.
“People would likely use this system for travelling long distances cross-country or city to city, then shorter journeys could be taken by vertical taxis that carry up to four people. Heavy lift flying drones could also be used for transportation of goods or for emergency response.”
Constable’s The Wheat Field, reimagined for 2050, includes solar powered pruning robots, autonomous grass cutting machines and crop-monitoring drones.
Meanwhile, environmentally friendly hydrogen planes can be seen in the sky, with futuristic shapes that maximise fuel-efficiency and range of travel.
Kit Franklin, Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Engineering at Harper Adams University, says: “The artistic reinterpretation of Constable has removed the hard physical labour and repetitive tasks of agricultural farmhands as autonomous robots take on the work humans would have traditionally done.
“Agbots make farming more precise to conserve vital resources like water and energy and we’ll see smaller machines in future to help preserve soil quality and health. A healthy soil is not only vital for growing food, it can also sequester carbon more effectively than one that has been compacted by large machinery.
“If Constable were to walk in the British countryside in 2050, he’d see smaller fields with strips of different coloured crops, and less productive fields rewilded with trees, wildflowers and shrubs to boost biodiversity and pollination.”
Professor Susan Gourvenec, RAEng Chair in Emerging Technologies for Intelligent & Resilient Ocean Engineering at the University of Southampton, whose ideas have been incorporated into a reimagined Monet, commented: “If Monet was to paint The Seashore at Sainte-Adresse in 2050, his famous seascape might feature offshore energy farms generating renewable energy through wind turbines or tidal power, which could be used to power homes or produce green hydrogen, and to refuel ocean-going cargo vessels offshore.
“Closer to the shore, seagrass plantations might be visible, which would not only capture carbon but also provide coastal protection and improve the coastal ecosystem and habitat for wildlife.”
The artist has also imagined a residential building on the coast that uses thermochromic windows to help to cool the house and generate solar power, reducing its carbon footprint and maximising efficiency.
Pissarro’s La Rue Saint-Honoré has been reworked to reflect a vision of the future in which a central hub links several public transport systems including an electrically powered monorail, vertical taxi station and underground stations.
Professor Chris Wise RDI FREng, Founder Partner of Expedition, says: “If Pissarro were to travel to Paris in 2050, he might find buildings that have been designed to take full advantage of their environment.
“No side of a building would look the same: the south facing side is shaded and both east and west facades have screens to capture the morning and evening sun. The artist might also find chameleon buildings with a ‘skin’ that is responsive to sunlight and shade for temperature regulation.
“Pissarro, who suffered from an eye-infection and eventually went blind, would find getting round the city easier with colour coded areas and rumble strips, as well as a monorail system that dispenses with the need for a car. He’d also find less hard landscaping. As we see increased rainfall and flooding in the future, cities will have replaced concrete pavements with more permeable materials and greenery.”
Dr Rhys Morgan, Director of Engineering and Education at the Royal Academy of Engineering says: “The UK’s goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 is a massive undertaking.
“Decarbonisation on this timescale and magnitude will bring widespread and rapid change to every aspect of daily life and meeting our goal of a net zero future will not be achieved without engineering expertise.
“From the ways we heat, cool and light our homes, to how we produce our food, how we build our houses and how we travel around, our future daily lives will be shaped by today’s engineers and engineering.
“These famous masterpieces originally captured a snapshot of daily life at a time when the consequences of carbon emissions were not known. By reimagining them for 2050 we hope to start a conversation about how engineers can help shape our net zero future and inspire the next generation to join the profession.
“To realise the emission-saving technologies imagined in these artworks, the UK needs more engineers – for example, National Grid estimates that the UK energy sector alone will need to fill 400,000 roles between now and 2050 to reach net zero.”
In a bid to boost recruitment and challenge the narrow stereotypes of what engineers look like and do, This is Engineering Day is an annual reminder of the importance of engineering to our daily lives.
Created by The Royal Academy of Engineering in 2018 the day celebrates the varied and vital roles that engineers play, from developing medical technologies like brain scanners and clean energy solutions, to powering the social media platforms and smartphones we rely on to keep in touch every day.
The UK-hosted COP 26 climate change summit begins today – Sunday, October 31 – with the UK and Pakistan working closely on a greener future for the planet.
It comes as the British High Commission’s #26For26 campaign continues to smash its target of having 26 Pakistani companies commit to halving emissions by 2030 and getting to net zero by 2050. 28 companies have so far signed up.
COP26 is the largest international event of its kind ever to be held in the UK with more than 25,000 delegates arriving in the city of Glasgow- including world leaders, opinion formers and top businesses. It will work to prevent global temperatures rising above 1.5C and protect our planet and people from the impacts of climate change.
The UK has already achieved notable successes so far. Around 70% of the world’s economy is now covered by net zero targets, up from less than 30% when the UK took on the Presidency of COP26. This will help the most vulnerable countries like Pakistan.
Pakistan is the 8th most vulnerable country in the world to climate change. Some experts have warned that Karachi could be completely submerged by 2060 if the current trajectory of rising sea levels continues.
Temperatures in Karachi this year have already been the highest in 74 years and by 2030, property damage due to coastal storm surges and rising sea levels is set to increase tenfold.
By 2100, rising temperatures mean 36% of glaciers along the Hindu Kush & Himalayan range will be gone. The critical situation means Pakistan needs to act now, alongside the rest of the international community.
The UK is already working closely with Pakistan on climate change, and will provide £7m this year in grant financing and technical support to help Pakistan achieve its climate change objectives.
Earlier this year the UK launched a new programme in Lahore to promote cleaner brick production practices which will help improve air quality, reduce smog and fight climate change.
Pakistan’s leadership on some environmental issues has been recognised globally. The UK Prime Minister praised the country’s 10 billion tree tsunami at last month’s United Nations General Assembly.
Earlier this week, HRH the Prince of Wales spoke to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan and agreed on the need for greater global cooperation on climate change and protecting the environment. HRH the Prince of Wales congratulated Prime Minister Imran Khan on the 10 billion tree tsunami initiative.
Climate finance will be key at COP26. To support the transition to net zero, climate resilient economies, getting public and private finance flowing is crucial, especially to emerging markets and developing economies.
Under the UK’s COP26 & G7 Presidencies, we have seen clear moves towards this goal. G7 countries have committed new finance towards the $100bn in climate finance goal, including more funding for adaptation.
In terms of mobilising international finance the UK is committing funds to help Pakistan develop innovative climate financing instruments, including Nature Performance Bonds.
The UK will invest more in Pakistan over the next 5 years, helping communities adapt to climate change and improve community level resilience and supporting the efficient use of water resources.
As hosts of COP26 (co-hosted with Italy), the UK has been driving international action and support to adapt to the effects of climate change, which are already impacting lives, livelihoods and natural habitats across the world.
Thirty five countries have joined the Adaptation Action Coalition, and over 2,000 businesses, investors, regions, cities and other non-state actors have joined the Race to Resilience. Over 40 countries and organisations have joined the Risk-Informed Early Action Partnership, committing to make 1 billion people safer from disaster by 2025.
By signing up to the Race to Zero, over 3,000 companies and 170 investors, have committed to halving emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest, with transparent and robust action plans.
Under the UK’s G7 Presidency, the first net zero G7 saw all countries commit to deep emission reduction targets in the 2020s and put an end to funding fossil fuels & coal power this year.
The UK has been leading the way and shown that green growth is possible – over the last 30 years our economy has grown by 78% while cutting emissions by 44%. The UK was the first country to commit to reduce carbon emissions by 78% by 2035 and is on course to be the fastest G7 country to decarbonise cars and vans by 2030.
As part of the brick kiln programme launched earlier this year, the UK will support a targeted training programme on “Zig Zag” technology for the brick industry to substitute coal and reduce emissions.
This programme will be implemented in collaboration with Government of Punjab, Brick Kiln Owners Association of Pakistan (BKAOP) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
In 2015, the National Institute of Oceanography warned that Karachi could be completely submerged by 2060 if the current trajectory of rising sea levels continues.
Children’s Commissioner Bruce Adamson is urging police to treat young people peacefully protesting at COP-26 with respect and dignity – and has reminded them that children’s rights must be upheld for everyone under 18.
The guide has been used as part of Police Scotland’s training for COP-26 and was informed by children’s views and experiences.
Bruce Adamson, Children and Young People’s Commissioner said: “I have written to Police Scotland and have received strong commitments that they will facilitate peaceful protest with human rights at the heart of their approach, and it is important that this happens.
“Police officers have a duty to uphold children’s human rights during COP-26, which include the rights to peaceful assembly and association, alongside their rights to expression, participation, information and protection.”
Climate justice has been consistently raised by children and young people as one of their biggest human rights concerns.
Emma, 16, a Young Adviser to the Commissioner, said: “The right to protest is important as it gives people the opportunity to create change. It gives us a voice and the ability to hold institutions accountable for their actions.
“It is one of the only ways young people can be heard and immediately have a connection with one another, creating a sense of unity. It promotes equality and allows for individuals and groups views to have a chance to be recognised. The information in this guide about our rights to protest is really useful as we make our voices heard at COP-26 and beyond.”
The Commissioner added: “Children have shown incredible leadership on the issue of climate justice and continue to act as human rights defenders for everyone’s rights across Scotland and internationally.
“They have led powerful, peaceful movements in the streets, for example during school strikes, online, and in court. It is essential that children and young people are empowered to participate and engage in their right to peaceful protest.”
The Commissioner’s guide includes rights information and support, in the event of a child under 18 being arrested or detained by police.
Mr Adamson said: “Arresting a child should always be a measure of last resort, however, it may happen, and children need to know their rights if it does. We’ve included information about children’s rights to contact their family, social worker and to speak to a lawyer, to complain and to ask for release. Any child arrested or detained must be treated with human dignity and respect.”
The Commissioner repeated his call that no child should be punished for taking part in peaceful protests: “There must be no reprisals or sanctions for children who peacefully protest during COP-26 and schools should support children to participate in the opportunities that COP-26 affords them.”
Edinburgh’s ‘Capital Coalition’ council leaders have laid out the scale of Council climate action and investment in Edinburgh to date as part of moves to secure a legacy of climate action from COP26.
The City of Edinburgh Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and has set an ambitious target of becoming a net zero city by 2030, 15 years ahead of the national Scottish target.
Major programmes of work including: £1.3bn Granton Waterfront development – the largest net zero redevelopment undertaken in the city – and a £2.8bn Council House building investment programmeand domestic building retrofit programme, are key projects which will encourage change in Edinburgh at the speed and scale needed.
The Council also committed £0.5m in funding this year along with £4m of related capital investment to improve Edinburgh’s parks, food growing sites and urban forests.
And over the next 10 years, the Council is committed to spending £68m to improve road safety and to further develop infrastructure to make it easier to walk, cycle and wheel around the city.
The Council has also been developing a 2030 Climate Strategy for the city which lays out how it will enable, support and deliver action to meet the city’s net zero ambition by working with leading strategic partners in Edinburgh. The final strategy and accompanying implementation plan are set to be published at the end of November following the global climate conference.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: “The issue of climate change affects everyone in our world, Edinburgh faces the same challenges and opportunities in tackling the climate crisis as those world leaders will discuss at COP26.
“Scotland’s seven major cities make up half of the nation’s emissions and have the greatest opportunity and potential to deliver innovation and rapid acceleration of climate action. As Scotland’s capital city, we need to lead by example.
“Our vision is that by 2030, Edinburgh will be a net zero and climate resilient city. To get there we need to improve our air quality, protect our green spaces and make it easier for more people to walk, cycle and wheel for every day journeys. We also need to build warm, good quality places to live and work.
“The Council will keep on working with communities, businesses and residents to help deliver the aims in our draft climate strategy. Edinburgh has a strong record of climate action and together we can make fast progress and be at the forefront of funding opportunities to invest in change.”
Since declaring a climate emergency in 2019 the Council has also:
Joined the Race to Zero, a global campaign to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth. Edinburgh has also joined Race to Resilience, its sister campaign, helping to prepare for the impacts of climate change that are already set to happen
Become a founding signatory to the Edinburgh Climate Compact, pledging to reduce operational emissions in line with the city’s target
Committed to invest in providing training to colleagues to develop their awareness and understanding of climate change and what changes they can take in their professional lives which could lead to a reduction in emissions
Depute Leader Cammy Day added: “Edinburgh offers a huge opportunity to invest in net zero action to build a better future for us all.
“Council action already under way across the city will support the reduction in harmful greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to climate change and will also make Edinburgh a better healthier place to live.
“However, no individual partner has the knowledge, skills, capacity or resources to deliver our net zero target on their own.
“Whether that’s the choices people make in their everyday lives, the way small businesses operate, or the strategic, policy and spending decisions made by public and private sector organisations, It will only be through collective effort that we will ensure Edinburgh can make fast progress to meet our climate targets and be at the forefront of funding opportunities to invest in change.
“And we will continue to build on our successes as a city and collaborate to make sure we achieve a legacy to COP26 for the good of the planet and all future generations who will live, work and visit this amazing place.”
Next steps for Council climate action
As part of the legacy of COP26, the final 2030 Climate Strategy for Edinburgh and accompanying implementation plan are set to be published at the end of November.
Annual city and Council emissions will also be disclosed publicly at the end of the month through CDP (formally the Carbon Disclosure Project) and the Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Report.
Creating a partnership of financial investment and delivery organisations to develop a business case for how all Edinburgh’s citizens will be able to affordably retrofit their homes in partnership with the Scottish Futures Trust.
Developing an Edinburgh Community Climate Forum to help empower citizens, encourage behaviour change and community activism on climate action. It will be sponsored by the Council and delivered independently by EVOC and Our Future Edinburgh.
Bringing forward business case proposals for community energy generation schemes across the city, with Energy for Edinburgh.
Working with Lothian Buses to decarbonise their bus fleet and developing a plan for shared public service charging hubs.
Developing a costed climate change risk assessment for the city and a new city adaptation plan by 2022/23, alongside a regional approach.
Establishing a business led Economic Transition Forum and also a new Business for Good programme through Edinburgh CAN B to provide practical support and training for businesses across the city to transition to net zero.
Developing a citywide programme/pipeline of green investment proposals with a Climate Strategy Investment Programme Board.
Additional action and investment towards net zero
In 2021-22 the Council committed to:
£8.4 million to finish upgrading our street lighting to energy-efficient LED lights
Trams to Newhaven project including £2.4 million to support local businesses
£7.6 million to continue to replace more than 200 vehicles with lower emissions ones
£250,000 to expand EV charging infrastructure for the Council’s own fleet, ensuring that the Council leads by example by making our vehicle fleet carbon zero.
£200,000 to improve the Council’s recycling performance.
£500,000 to drive forward the delivery of 20-minute neighbourhoods, making it easier for people to get to and access the services they need in their community.
Commuters urged to consider pressure on motorways and railways
As Scotland prepares to host the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow, the demand on the transport network is expected to be unprecedented.
While many people across the country have already heeded warnings in the run up to the event, the impact on the motorway network and railways should not be underestimated.
With major road closures in place, further factors that will impact getting in and around the central belt include various protest activities – planned and unplanned – as well as non-COP26 related events such as bad weather, Halloween and major sporting fixtures.
Members of the public are therefore being urged to avoid any unnecessary travel especially during the first few days of the conference.
Nicola Blaney, head of events resilience for Transport Scotland, said: “There will be severe disruption on transport networks and we therefore urge people to consider their travel plans very carefully.
“Across the network, we know certain dates are due to be much busier than others especially November 1, 2, 5 and 6. This weekend is also likely to be very heavily congested, and we need people to help us to avoid gridlock and crucially, leave space for key workers and emergency services to make essential journeys.
“We’ve been encouraging people to work from home as a way of reducing the risk of Covid – which would also help ease pressure on the transport network during the conference’s peak.”
Road closures are already in place for public safety with Glasgow’s Clydeside Expressway now fully closed till November 14.
The M8 will be subject to lane restrictions and road closures from 8pm on October 30 until 6am on November 15. The Tradeston M8 On-slip at West Street will be closed with no access to North Street/Charing Cross.
A signed diversion route will be in place from West Street to North Street, via Kingston Street, George V Bridge and the Broomielaw. Access to Bothwell Street from the M8 Eastbound at Junction 18 will remain open.
The public is advised to visit the Get Ready Glasgow website:
which provides all the travel details and will be regularly updated with all the latest information for commuters and businesses as well as details on alternative routes, local road closure dates and where local access will be maintained.
Further road restrictions which will come into effect next week include road closures from Monday November 1 around Argyle Street – one of the main diversion routes – because of a COP26 event. This will increase congestion and put additional strain on the road network.
Friday November 5 and Saturday November 6 are also expected to be extremely busy, due to planned climate change related marches going from Kelvingrove Park into the city centre and Glasgow Green.
Police Scotland’s assistant chief constable Bernard Higgins, said: “Our aim is to deliver a safe and secure event, whilst keeping the city, and indeed the country, operational and moving.”
Statement given by FM Nicola Sturgeon at media briefing at Atlantic Quay, Glasgow on Friday 29 October
Good afternoon everybody and welcome – ahead of the opening of COP26 on Monday – to the Scottish Government headquarters in Glasgow.
I am joined today by Iain Livingstone, the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, and by the National Clinical Director, Jason Leitch.
For the next fortnight, Glasgow – and Scotland – will be at the centre of the world’s attention. Hosting this conference is a huge honour for Scotland – and it is also a major responsibility.
And so I want to talk a little bit today about some of the ways in which we will live up to those responsibilities, and what the next fortnight is likely to mean for people in Glasgow, and for visitors here.
Hopefully by doing that, I can ensure people in Glasgow – and people coming to Glasgow – have the information they need before the summit begins.
Obviously, Glasgow has hosted large events before – and has done so successfully. But I think it’s important to recognise that COP26 is a bit different in scope, significance and scale. It could – quite literally – determine the future of the planet.
Indeed the importance of the event is why it is, even in the midst of the COVID pandemic, taking place in person. And obviously, the scale of the event is quite unprecedented, not just in terms of the numbers of people who are likely to come to Glasgow, but also of course, the status and standing of some of those world leaders who will be visiting i
In light of all of that is inevitable, given how much of a major event this is, that it will bring some disruption.
That will be particularly true over the next few days as national leaders and heads of state, together of course with more than 20,000 delegates, arrive here in Scotland from countries across the world
We also know that certain dates are going to be particularly busy, for example this coming Sunday, Monday and Tuesday during the world leaders’ summit.
And there are also demonstrations planned for Friday and Saturday of next week, which I will say more about in a moment.
In addition, the security requirements of the conference mean that throughout the next two weeks, there will be significant road closures in the area surrounding the Scottish Events Campus where COP is taking place.
In light of that, we are asking people to consider carefully unnecessary trips during the first few days of COP.
That’s especially the case for journeys around or near the SEC, but it also applies across the central belt more generally.
And it applies to journeys on public transport as well as car journeys. We are very pleased that strike action is no longer in prospect on Scotrail services during COP, or at all, but we do know that trains are still likely to be very busy.
Working from home will also help, of course, but this is already recommended as a way of reducing Covid transmission.
By avoiding where possible unnecessary trips during the busier parts of the COP summit, people will be helping to ease a bit the pressure on our roads and our rail services and also of course helping to ensure priority access for key workers such as NHS staff.
If people do need to travel and of course, many people will require to travel, then our advice is to plan routes carefully.
Glasgow City Council has created a set of maps which can help you to do that, and which provide information about where and when you can congestion is expected. Those maps can be found on the travel section of the Get Ready Glasgow website – that’s at GetReadyGlasgow.com.
Of course we also anticipate some disruption as a result of protests during the next two weeks and I want to say just a few words on that matter just now as well.
Scotland and Glasgow have a proud tradition of activism and of peaceful protest. In fact, I have personally taken part in many peaceful protests in the city over the past 30 years or so.
The city slogan is ‘People Make Glasgow’. That is one that I hope at the end of COP26, will be applied warmly to this summit.
So it is absolutely the case that we – and I know this is the strong position of the United Nations – want people’s voices to be heard. We want the voices of young people of wider civic society and of people from across the world to be heard loudly and clearly by those around the negotiating table.
We know there are two major scheduled demonstrations – the Friday for the Future school strike next week, and the march from Kelvingrove to Glasgow Green next Saturday on the Global Day of Action. These both provide opportunities for people to make their voices heard. And I want to thank the organisers of these demonstrations – as well as a number of other activist groups – for the engagement they have had with the City Council and with the police, to ensure that demonstrations can take place safely and securely.
We also expect that other protests that may take place without warning. That is understandable and these are harder for the city, conference organisers and the police to prepare for.
And there are just some principles, in addition, of course to that important principle of the democratic right to protest, that I would ask those intended to pay attention to.
Firstly, whatever anyone thinks of the negotiations taking place in the conference centre – and I can understand why many think that world leaders are not yet doing enough because when leaders are not yet doing enough and that is one of the things we hope to see change during the summit . Regardless of views on that, progress will not be made if discussions are disrupted,
And more generally – and this of course applies to all protests – I would ask that people who are demonstrating show consideration for Glasgow and for people living in this city.
They are opening up this city to the world at what is a difficult time for those around the world, and I hope those who are travelling, welcome though they are, to make their voices heard, will recognise that.
So please also and lastly, follow our rules on Covid – they are intended to protect everyone. And also respect our emergency services – our ambulance crews, our fire crews and our police.
I know the Chief Constable will say something in a few minutes about Scotland’s approach to policing, but I want to stress that our emergency services are there to keep everyone safe.
That includes those who are here to negotiate or to protest, but of course our emergency services also have continued responsibilities to support the people of this city, no matter what is happening inside COP26. So I would ask everyone to respect and support them as they do their jobs.
The final point I want to cover relates to Covid.
This event – which is bringing people from around the world to meet indoors in large numbers while the world is still in the midst of a pandemic – inevitably poses a risk of increased Covid transmission. I understand why that makes some people wary.
However I want to give an assurance again today that we are doing everything we can to mitigate these risks as far as is possible.
The UN, the UK Government and the Scottish Government have taken steps to ensure, as far as possible, that delegates have been fully vaccinated before arrival. Everyone coming to Glasgow from outside the Common Travel Area will need to show a negative test result before they arrive in the UK.
Also, everyone entering the core venue for COP – the blue zone – is required to take a lateral flow test every day that they are in attendance.
Everyone attending the Green Zone must show either their vaccine certificate – for members of the public – or their blue zone pass, which will be updated with the result of their daily lateral flow test.
And at both venues, people must wear face coverings and follow one metre physical distancing and strict hygiene guidance.
In partnership with the UN and the UK, we will keep these procedures under review throughout the summit.
And of course I’d stress that everyone visiting Glasgow for COP – whether official delegates or activists – are required to follow the same basic Covid precautions that apply to us all when they are in the city itself. For example, wearing face coverings on public transport and in indoor public places.
Through all of these measures, I hope we can reduce the risk of Covid transmission – and make COP as safe as possible for people living in the city and for those who will visit our city over the next two weeks.
Finally, I know – as I said at the beginning – that the next two weeks will bring disruption to people living in Glasgow – and I understand that that will cause frustration. I do understand that, I’m both a resident of and a representative of this city.
I don’t expect what I’m about to say will take all of that frustration away over the next two weeks, but I think all of us hopefully will remember that what we are experiencing over these next two weeks is for a purpose.
This is probably the most important global gathering of this century so far.
It’s not just in Glasgow’s interest to have a safe and successful summit, that is in the interest of the entire world.
I know that the vast majority of people in Glasgow understand that and even if we don’t much like the disruption, we do understand the importance of what will be happening during this conference.
So let me end by thanking everyone in the city for the welcome I know will be extended to visitors but also for the patience and forbearance that will have to be shown over the next two weeks.
My hope, and I know that is the hope of Glasgow, Scotland, the UK and indeed the world, is that by the end of these two weeks the outcome of the summit will have justified that patience. So thank you very much for listening.
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone joined the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the National Clinical Director Professor Jason Leitch during a Scottish Government briefing ahead of COP26.
The Chief Constable said: “As Chief Constable, I want to assure the people of Scotland that our police service is ready to support a safe and secure COP26. And, of equal importance, we are ready to ensure a quality policing service is maintained for every citizen, every community in Glasgow, and indeed, across the whole of Scotland during the conference period.
Our policing operation, Operation Urram, is one of the biggest ever undertaken in the United Kingdom. 7,000 officers and staff from every single police service in the United Kingdom are today arriving to join colleagues from Police Scotland. Over 10,000 officers will be on duty on some days of the conference.
As Chief Constable of the Police Service of Scotland, all officers and staff are under my command and control while deployed to COP26. Accordingly, they will work to the values of policing in Scotland and follow the tone and approach that Police Scotland will apply during the operation.
The United Nations, the organisers of the event, want people to make their voices heard. It’s an objective of the conference. They expect and encourage demonstrations and protests. Our response will be informed by, and consistent with, key human rights and considerations – necessity, proportionality and lawfulness.
These principles are vital in all that we do within policing and they are what I expect from Police Scotland, and from our colleagues who will be supporting us. We will protect the rights of people who wish to peacefully protest at COP26, balanced against the rights of the wider community.
But to those intent on violent disorder and damage; to those who seek to disrupt the climate conference actually taking place; I have a clear message. We will respond swiftly. We will respond robustly.
Every individual within Police Scotland has a role to play. Either directly deployed during the conference or in day to day business ensuring every citizen in Scotland continues to get the help they need and deserve, when they turn to their police service at times of crisis and emergency.
An event the size of COP26 of course places considerable demands on policing and brings inevitable disruption. Thus, maintaining an effective and responsive police service to all of Scotland has been central to our preparation since we knew that COP26 was coming to Glasgow, was coming to Scotland.
We know need and requirements can arise unexpectedly and, as a national Service, we are able to deploy resources quickly.
That’s been evident over the last 24 hours, when we have had officers from many parts of Scotland deployed to the south of the country to support communities affected by the terrible flooding.
I am focused and confident about Police Scotland’s ability to lead this enormous policing operation, that’s primarily because of the quality and commitment to public service that’s demonstrated by officers and staff in all ranks, all roles in Police Scotland, strongly supported by other UK colleagues.
I would stress again, if you or your family at any time need police assistance, contact us; call treble nine in an emergency. We are here to help you and to keep you safe. I will close as I began, by assuring the people of Scotland that our police Service, your police Service, is ready for the challenges that lie ahead: both to police COP26, and to continue keeping people safe across the whole of Scotland.
Fourteen creative projects from Edinburgh artists and creative organisations are in motion thanks to £303,559 National Lottery funding in the latest round of Open Fund awards from Creative Scotland.
The former Fire Station at Edinburgh College of Art will house Edinburgh’s SpACE forum from 1 November to 4 December as part of COP26.
The public pop-up exhibition, event space and online venue will welcome leading designers, building environmentalists, architects and heritage organisations coming together to help raise wider understanding of the difference that can be made through more responsible approaches to design and construction.
Rab Bennetts, architect and founder of Bennetts Associates and Chair of SpACE said: “There could hardly be a more appropriate moment to engage with the public about the impact of our buildings and places on climate change.
“As the world’s eyes are on COP26 in Glasgow, our parallel event in Edinburgh can show how the changes that are essential to our homes, workplaces and public buildings are not only possible but can also result in a cleaner, healthier and more enjoyable built environment.”
Through a series of unique, site-specific, public video projection mapping artworks with original soundscapes visual artist and creator Mettje Hunnemanwill highlight and transform Edinburgh’s public green spaces and question our place in nature.
Forest VIDEOLAB will see twelve immersive audio-visual displays over twelve months encouraging audiences to reconnect with nature in new ways.
Mettje Hunneman commented: “Artistic collaborations that would not previously have been possible can now come about, and resources that were previously inaccessible are now available.
“Everybody on the Forest VIDEOLAB team is now very excited to launch these beautiful creations into the public realm.”
Edinburgh-based theatre company, SALTYDOLLS – a partnership of Estlin Love and Fiona Oliver-Larkin will research and develop ABATTOIR.
A 50-minute feminist, two woman show, ABATTOIR is born from a provocation made by Morag Deyes of Dance Base during a SALTYDOLLS residency – “When are you going to make a show about the DARKNESS of MOTHERHOOD?”
Surrogate Productionswill adapt and stage the Scottish and UK premiere of Édouard Louis’ autofiction novel Who Killed My Father in association with Platform Theatre in spring 2022.
Surrogate’s Artistic Director Nora Wardell said: “We’re excited to welcome audiences back to theatres with such a moving and empowering piece that resonates so beautifully with our changing lives today.
“A rare text for Surrogate’s second work – both a deeply personal story of love from son to father and a defiant call for social justice.”
Shortlisted for the 2020 Phil Fox Award, Nibble Nibble Gnaw is a new play by emerging Scottish playwrightIsla Cowan receiving further research and development, exploring hunger and consumption in contemporary society.
Inspired by the story of Hansel and Gretel, this twisted fairy-tale follows a brother and sister as they make their way in a monstrously middle-class world, battling addiction and disorder.
POWA (Protection of Womxn in the Arts) is a musical collective run by Ashley Stein and Siobhan Wilson which provides paid opportunities forwomen-identifying and non-binary musicians and music industry professionals to create new commissions and access mentorship, guidance, and professional resources.
Co-founders Siobhan Wilson and Ashley Stein commented: “The money we have received from the Open Fund will allow us to work with a diverse range of artists and share newly commissioned musical works with our members, helping our music and message to reach a wider audience and providing a platform where women can express their experiences.”
Following the successful release of What We Might Know in 2018, Edinburgh based band Broken Recordswill record their 5th studio album which will be released on their own label, J Sharp Records.
On receiving funding Broken Records’ Iain Turnbull said: “The album is due to be released in Spring 2022, and we’re looking forward to it building on our previous work by allowing us to show our audience a different side to the band.
“After 14 years we have a dedicated following, and this album will allow us to carry on that interaction by sharing stories and our music from a different stage of our lives to connect to what is happening in their own lives.”
Iain Munro, CEO, Creative Scotlandsaid: “It’s great to see so many projects continue to benefit from Open Fund awards.
“Thanks to the generosity of the National Lottery players, who raise £30 million for good causes across the UK every week, these awards are creating many invaluable opportunities for people and communities across Scotland to engage with the arts while enabling artists and creative organisations to develop and grow.”
A full list of recipients of Open Fund awards is available on the Creative Scotland website.
The iconic DunBear sculpture, located at DunBear Park, Dunbar, will be lit-up green to mark COP26 in Glasgow (31st October – 12th November), one of the most important global meetings ever to take place in the UK.
The five-metre high steel sculpture of a brown bear, designed by Andy Scott (who also designed The Kelpies), was erected in 2019 and is the focal point for DunBear Park, a low carbon mixed-use development located beside the A1 at Dunbar. The lights are powered by onsite solar panels.
The sculpture is a tribute to John Muir, the Dunbar-born naturalist and conservationist who emigrated to the USA with his family. He travelled extensively throughout the country, later helping to form the Sierra Club which has gone on to be one of the largest environmental organisations in the world.
It is lit-up at various points throughout the year, including the birthday of John Muir in April (blue and white), Remembrance Day (when it is illuminated red, as it will still be this year) and St Andrew’s Day (blue and white).
John Muir petitioned the President and Congress to form National Parks, and through this Yosemite and other National Parks were eventually established.
It is because of National Parks that certain species, such as the brown bear, have survived and thrived.
Aware of the need to tackle the climate emergency, DunBear Park aims to be an exemplar low carbon community.
A highly sustainable development, located within walking distance of the town centre, it will adopt the latest low carbon technology to generate renewable heat and power on site. This will reduce the need for fossils fuels and thereby lessen carbon emissions, as well as supporting the post-Covid-19 green recovery.
Ken Ross from Hallhill Developments Limited commented: “Being in such a prominent position at the gateway to Dunbar, the stunning DunBear sculpture provides the perfect opportunity to commemorate key events such COP26, one of the most important global meetings ever to take place in the UK.
“It is also fitting that it should be part of our low carbon community of DunBear Park, which through significant investment will adopt the latest low carbon technology, with renewable heat and power generated onsite, delivering on our ambitious goal to be an exemplar low carbon development.
“The DunBear has become a much-loved piece of public art, well-visited by the local community and drawing visitors to the area and into Dunbar itself to find out more about John Muir, the pioneering naturalist and conservationist which it is a tribute to.
“It not only celebrates the work of one man but also reminds us that we can each make a positive contribution to climate change and reduce global warming for future generations.”
