COP 26 Action and Resources

The twenty-sixth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be hosted by the United Kingdom, in partnership with Italy. The summit, which will take place from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12, will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. More than 190 world leaders will participate, along with tens of thousands of negotiators, government representatives, businesses and citizens for twelve days of talks.

Citizens of countries around the world have an opportunity to urge their leaders to take action. The national Interfaith Power & Light offers an opportunity for you to take action right now. (We will post individual actions on our blog and have them all available on this page)

Actions

Add your Name to a Letter to President Biden calling for the U.S. to Show Leadership at COP 26

The United Nations will be holding its climate talks, COP26, in Glasgow, Scotland, during the first two weeks of November. This year’s COP comes at a critical time in history, when we are witnessing the intensification of climate emergencies all around the world–from wildfires raging out of control to severe flooding that is driving families from their homes.

Please sign the petition to President Biden calling on the U.S. government to accelerate ambition and care for the most vulnerable people at COP26.

From Catholic Climate Covenant

Ahead of the COP 26 meetings and inspired by the Vatican’s Laudato Si’ Action Platform, people of faith are joining their voices to those of the most vulnerable to call on the world’s leaders to commit to dramatically reduce greenhouse gases.

The Catholic Climate Covenant has developed two letters urging President Biden and members of Congress to “work together beyond partisanship, and for the common good, by enacting ambitious national solutions and demonstrating global leadership that address the sources and threats of climate change.” Please consider signing the letter from individuals, asking your congregation to sign the letter from institutions and then encourage your bishop, priest, or other church leaders to sign the Climate Action Letter for Catholic Institutions,

Faiths4Climate Justice Faith Vigil, Washington DC Monday, October 18, 2021 at 4:00 pm

Faith Vigil Outside the Department of State

Monday, October 18, 2021, 4:00 – 5:00 pm Eastern Time, 2:00-3:00 Mountain Time
22nd Street NW & C Street (Nearest Metro is Foggy Bottom)
Hosted by Washington Interfaith Staff Community-Ecology & Energy Working GroupWhy? Two weeks before global climate negotiations, people of diverse religions will rise for Faiths 4 Climate Justice – a global, multi-religious action to send a message to our governments that destroying the planet is against our religions. We believe that the Earth and all people are sacred. We are calling for an immediate end to new fossil fuel projects, deforestation, and related financing, a massive commitment to green jobs to reduce climate pollution and end poverty for millions, and climate reparations from wealthy countries to equip vulnerable nations for a better future.What? Join us to read the statement issued by faith leaders in preparation for COP 26, pray for the US Administration to lead in the negotiations, and we will then deliver the statement to the Department of State officials. We will be joined by a representative from the Department of State at our vigil.

Read Our Summaries

November 13, 2021 “There have been many important initiatives launched to get the world towards the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Centigrade above pre-industrial levels. These include the Global Methane Pledge and the commitment to end deforestation—both of which the U.S. has committed to.” -Rev. Susan Hendershot, IPL President

November 11, 2021 Where are we? While the success of the COP is debatable, there have been some steps forward including: the agreement between the US and China from yesterday and multi-national climate agreement draft. Loss and Damage is still a big priority that needs greater action.

November 10, 2021 Last days left….for critical negotiations. The UK COP 26 Presidency published the first draft to be negotiated and agreed by countries attending the talk. Xountries are being urged by Science and Civil Society all around the world to strengthen their carbon-cutting targets by the end of 2022.

November 9, 2021 If the fossil fuel industry were a country it would have the most representation at the COP. Some 100 companies have 503 representatives with the next largest representation being Brazil with 479

November 6, 2021 Is 1.5°C still feasible? Young people are anxious about their future, some are angry, many are skeptical. Will COP 26 deliver real actions? They voice their concerns.

November 4, 2021 This was energy day at COP 26. But we can look at energy in many ways. Not only do we need new sources of energy, saving energy and sharing energy—we need creative and soulful energy.

November 2, 2021 Is there any hope? World leaders deliver their speeches with promises. President Biden announced a new plan to protect the forests in the US, 100 countries made a pledge to decrease methane pollution by 30% up to 2030.

November 1, 2021 The COP has begun. Today youth, world leaders and citizens from around the world, including children and world leaders offered short statements and important stories. A very powerful statement was made by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. “It is time to say ENOUGH.”

October 29, 2021 UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres says a report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a “code red for humanity. The evidence is irrefutable. Greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel burning and deforestation are choking our planet and putting billions of people at immediate risk”.