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What is COP26?

COP26 must be a turning point for action to realise the potential of culture to effectively combat the climate crisis.

The COP (Conference of the Parties) is the meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC) which brings together around 200 countries (or State Parties) committed to reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, to achieve a global net zero emissions target by 2050.

The conference itself is made of component parts with different official organisers, including the United Nations, UK Government (COP26 President along with Italy) and Glasgow City Council (the Host City), and with Scottish Government hosting their own extensive programme to showcase Scotland and the ‘Race to Zero’.

Typically the COP has three parts: the formal negotiations; side events and meetings; and conferences, exhibitions and demonstrations around the host city.