OVERVIEW
BUILT FOR CHANGE
What is COP26?
COP26 is the United Nations’s (UN) 26th Climate Change Conference of the Parties. Being hosted in Glasgow from 31 October-12 November, 2021, the summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement [an international treaty on climate change adopted in 2015] and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
To find out more about COP26, take a look at the conference website.
Why does COP26 matter?
The planet is heating up to dangerously high levels which will cause devastation for everyone and everything on the earth. Action is needed to mitigate the effects of climate change and, for this to have an impact, this needs to be a global collaboration.
COP26 is bringing together governments and organisations from across the world together to encourage key decision-makers to take action to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Each and every one of us can do our bit to make a difference but, ultimately, it’s in the hands of the most powerful to drive wide-ranging, structural changes which can have a significant impact on the world’s emissions. This is why COP26 is so important to facilitate such discussions.
If you were unclear about how urgent it is that action is taken then here are a few interesting statistics:
Global temperature
0.87°C
since 1880
Ice lost
28 tr
tonnes between 1994-2017
Sea level rise
3.4
mm per year between 1993-2017
GOALS OF COP26
WHAT WE NEED TO ACHIEVE
1
Mitigation
Secure global net zero by mid-century and keep
1.5 degrees
within reach
2
Adaption
Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats
3
Finance
Mobilise finance by providing at least
$100bn
in climate finance per year by 2020
4
Collaboration
Work together
to deliver
26 activities for COP26
Built for the future
During COP26, and in the weeks after, we will be promoting important events and sharing commentary from our staff, students, alumni and friends of UCEM on the key themes from the conference. This will take the form of 26 pieces of content. Keep an eye out on our Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook channels to keep up to date with it all!
UCEM and the Climate Framework
Build better
now
UCEM’s ethical and sustainable investments
Tackling the issue of coal consumption
Youth and public empowerment
What meaningful youth leadership looks like
Allowing nature
to thrive
Adaptation, loss
and damage
Addressing global
gender imbalance
How can science and innovation be utilised for the good of the planet?
Green transport: Solutions for the short, medium and long term
A glance at
the Climate
Framework
All about
The Rapid Planning
Toolkit
How UCEM helps students make a positive difference in the built environment
What needs to change for the built environment to become more sustainable?
A look at
Construction CLC
A look at
Part Z
Who is responsible
for driving sustainability?
Should we prioritise climate change or sustainability?
What’s one thing that
can make a difference?
Thoughts on the outcome
of COP26
Apprenticeships and net
zero carbon emissions aims
COP26 –
What’s the verdict?
Embedding sustainability
within the curriculum
COP26 reflections –
Was the UK a good or bad host?
COP26 poll –
Have your say
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
BUILT FOR CAREERS
With a degree in the built environment you can make a positive impact and be at the forefront of the change for a better world. Whatever your academic level, we have a range of programmes to choose from which you can see below.
