The United Nations climate talks (also known as the Conference of Parties or COP), will take place 31 October - 12 November in Glasgow. COP26 will be biggest summit ever hosted in the UK - Covid permitting - with around 30,000 attendees expected.

It is the most significant climate event since the 2015 Paris Agreement. That is because COP26 is the first summit when countries must report back on their progress since the Paris Agreement and set out more ambitious goals for ending their contribution to climate change.

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‍Important Dates

19 October - Pilgrimages to COP26 from Sweden and Poland enter Scotland. Sciaf is planning a welcome at the border. You can find out more here.

23 October, 11am - The Diocese of Clifton are looking forward to a Climate Liturgy at Clifton Cathedral with Bishop Declan in person and online.

23 October - Pre-Cop vigil in the Anglican Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, 2.00-3.45pm. You're encouraged to make a pilgrimage on foot, by bike, by public transport. Bring a Letter for Creation to pass on to the faith leaders involved in COP. Interactive prayer stations from 2pm. You can register to attend in person here.

23 October - The Tablet are hosting an autumn festival 'On The Road To COP26'. It includes a one-day line-up of live webinars discussing what is at stake at the UN climate summit in Glasgow.

28-31 October - The 16th UN Conference of Youth is the official precursor youth event of COP26 and is officially endorsed by the office of the United Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth.

30 October - Churches across the UK will 'Ring out for Climate and for COP26' by ringing their church bells between 6pm and 6.30pm to help raise awareness of the need for climate action.

31 October - COP26 Interfaith Vigil in George Square, Glasgow 2-3pm. You can find out more here.

31 October - 12 November - The Glasgow Quaker Meeting House, just a mile away from the COP 26 campus, opposite Charing Cross railway station, is running a two-week programme, for people of any or no faith.

31 October - 12 November - UN Climate Conference COP26 in Glasgow. There will be Civil Society Convergence Spaces - creative hubs - across Glasgow where activists can gather and connect together, warm up with food and drink, book meeting rooms, produce artwork and socialise.

31 October - 13 November - EcoHighland 2021 is programming two full weeks of events during COP26, involving worship, prayer and action organised by churches locally and supported by Eco Congregation Scotland with Inverness Presbytery Church Support.

1 November, 6pm - Candle-lit vigil and procession in London beginning after the 5.30pm Mass at Westminster Cathedral and heading to Farm Street Church via Buckingham Palace. The event will pray for successful climate negotiations at COP26.

3-6 November - Jesuit Missions Pilgrimage Edinburgh to Glasgow. From Sacred Heart Church, Edinburgh, to SEC Centre, Glasgow. For people aged 18-35. The  Pilgrimage Chaplain will be Fr Nick King SJ

5-6 November - Days of Action in Glasgow and across the UK:

• 5 Nov, 11am - 6 Nov, 11am - Justice & Peace Scotland and Columbans - 24 Hours for the Climate. Online vigil to pray for the success of COP26. This live broadcast will be an opportunity to learn from communities suffering from climate change, pray for the future of our common home, and write messages that will be delivered to COP26 negotiators. More Details: www.24hoursfortheclimate.org/
• 5 November - Youth Climate Strike in Glasgow www.globaljustice.org.uk/
• 6 November - Glasgow - 11.30am - 4.30pm Kelvingrove Park, G3 6BY. People of faith gather to join a 'Faiths and Beliefs Bloc' at a march for climate justice www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/faiths-beliefs-bloc-cop26-tickets-185221351047
• 6 November, 11am - Rally for the Climate with many other groups from civic society. Meet with CAFOD and Westminster Justice & Peace at St Mary Moorfields Church before moving to Trafalgar Square. Bring a banner. Register to receive updates: https://cafod.org.uk/News/Events/COP26-Day-of-Action-2021
• 6 November - Global Day of Action for Climate Justice https://cop26coalition.org/gda/

7 November - COP Church Service organised by Tearfund www.tearfund.org/campaigns/cop26-church-service

7-10 November - People's Summit for Climate Justice in-person and online.
https://cop26coalition.org/

14 November - Launch of the Laudato Si Action Platform by the Vatican.
https://laudatosiactionplatform.org

20 November, 10am onwards - Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Brixton Hill, London SW2 5BJ. The Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission Autumn Assembly for 2021 entitled 'COP26: What next?'.

An Events Calendar for fringe events in Glasgow can be found here.

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Walking to COP26

Young Christian Climate Network - Cornwall to Glasgow 13 June - 30 October www.yccn.uk

Camino to COP26 - London to Glasgow 5 September - 29 October https://caminotocop.com

Useful Websites

Glasgow COP action

The Climate Coalition

Journey to 2030

Laudato Si' Movement
https://laudatosimovement.org/

Green Christian COP26
https://greenchristian.org.uk/cop-26-glasgow-2021/
Green Christian will be sharing a base with Eco-Congregation Scotland in Govan and Linthouse Parish Church during COP.

Glasgow Churches COP Group
https://glasgowchurches.org.uk/
Glasgow Churches COP26 Laudato Si Service

Sowing Seeds of the Future
www.sowingseedsofthefuture.org/
National Office for Vocations site with links to resources ahead of COP26 including lesson plans, assemblies and a suggested garden project.

Campaigns

Healthy Planet, Healthy People Petition- https://thecatholicpetition.org/

Global Prayer and Action Chain for Climate Justice - www.prayandact4climate.org/action/petition/

Catholic Climate & Ecological Emergency Network (CCLEEN) - Fostering ecological conversion in the spirit of Laudato Si', authenticated by action within the Church and advocacy in society.

CAFOD campaigning:

• Calling on banks to cancel the debt of the world's poorest nations.
• Climate petition
• Eyes of the World - CAFOD Schools Campaign on climate change.
• Catholic vigil online and in person at St. Aloysius 5-6 November finishing with mass at 10am with films from across the world.
• LiveSimply Webinar on 17 November 5-6.30pm aimed for people thinking about the award, or anyone interested.

Operation Noah's Bright Now Campaign for fossil-free churches

Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill. The Bill asks the UK to take responsibility for its fair share of greenhouse gas emissions.

Global Justice Now

COP26 ARTICLES

To see more articles related to COP26:
www.indcatholicnews.com/search/COP26

MUSIC AND ART resources

Glasgow: Young people release music video for COP26: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/42996

Praying with Art: Prayer video for COP 26 - www.indcatholicnews.com/news/43077