A Rocha UK arrives in Glasgow for COP26

The UN climate change negotiations (COP26) is our ‘last best chance’ to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees, beyond which we will face catastrophic consequences.

It’s a unique opportunity for our charity, with nature being on the agenda as well as the negotiations being hosted in the UK – both for the first time ever. It’s also an opportunity to showcase all of the important work that many of you are already doing through Eco Church, Wild Christian, and your engagement in Climate Sunday. 

13 staff members will be representing the A Rocha family – from the UK, Ghana, France, Canada, Climate Stewards and A Rocha International – at this year’s delayed COP26 hosted in Glasgow (1-12 November).

What do we want from COP26?

The messages that we’re taking to COP26 – as A Rocha and through the Climate Sunday campaign, are clear. We want the summit to deliver:

–Agreement on ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets. To keep global heating as close to 1.5 degrees as possible.

-Climate finance promises fulfilled. Rich countries delivering the long-unkept promise of providing $100bn a year in climate finance to developing countries to help them go green.

–Working with nature not against. All countries committing to include Nature-based Solutions, in their national climate plans and agreement on sound, common principles or standards for Nature-based Solutions, to avoid greenwash. More about Nature-based Solutions can be found in our position statement here.

–Agreement to accelerate the pace of international action. Countries agreeing to an annual UN review of the adequacy of combined national greenhouse gas targets.

The A Rocha family will be attending, praying, participating, and lobbying for ambitious solutions to be adopted, and by helping to inform, raise awareness and mobilise Christians. The team will be networking in the ‘Blue Zone’ and seeing how they might influence outcomes, especially around the issues of Nature-based Solutions to climate change. In the ‘Green Zone’, A Rocha Ghana will have an exhibition stand on Tuesday 2 November and A Rocha UK on Monday November 8. You can visit our digital exhibition here.

Whatever the outcomes world leaders reach at COP26, there will be continued need to act in our own churches and speak up for change.

Ways to take action:

• Register to become an Eco Church here.
• Join our Wild Christian community for practical ideas to enjoy, nurture and defend nature. Sign up to our monthly email here.
• Support or enquire about joining Partners in Action, our unique conservation network (if you are a Christian land-manager or owner) here.

For further COP26-related resources including prayer points, please visit here.