COP26 is coming -what does it all mean?

28 October 2021

With COP26 starting this weekend, the anticipation is ramping up for meaningful climate change commitments from all parties involved. The Conference of the Parties (COP) is being hosted by the UK this year in Glasgow, with representatives from across the globe coming together to negotiate the best ways of tackling climate change.

COP26 is the first time the Paris Agreement will be revisited, and Countries are being urged to revisit their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCS) and update their commitments to reducing carbon emissions. As highlighted in the UN’s International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) sixth assessment report, climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time, requiring global collaboration and many view this year’s COP as the last chance to keep hopes alive of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Centigrade. 

COP26 provides the opportunity for Countries and big businesses to come together to kick start the “green revolution” needed to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and net zero carbon emissions by 2050. For example, following the publication of the UK Government’s 10 point plan for a green industrial revolution last year we have seen a number of significant, high profile policy announcements including the UKs landmark Net Zero Strategy. 

Up to 40% of global carbon emissions are estimated to be associated with the built environment sector. As engineers, we have a key role to play in supporting our infrastructure and real estate development clients in addressing climate change and the transition to a net zero economy. 

Our team of experts will be providing regular updates on key events and announcements, and how it relates to our clients and industry, throughout the two weeks of the conference. We expect there will be a lot of new initiatives and commitments to report on. Watch this space!