What is COP26?

The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (‘COP26’) will take place from 1-12 November 2021, hosted by the United Kingdom in Glasgow. Since the mid-1990s, the United Nations has been bringing together almost every country from around the world for annual climate summits – COP or ‘Conference of the Parties’ – and this year will be the 26th global summit.

In November, world leaders, as well as civil society, business and concerned citizens, will convene in Glasgow to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. COP26, delayed a year by the COVID-19 pandemic, has been referred to as the world’s last best chance to combat dangerous climate change.

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Transforming Australia from laggard to leader

Friday 5 November 2021
10.30pm - 11.45pm (Melbourne time)

Australia has a very real opportunity to benefit socially, environmentally and economically from increasing its climate ambition and becoming a clean energy superpower. Yet, despite claims from the Australian Government that it is beating Paris targets, evidence shows Australia’s energy emissions are on the rise and gas and coal production are increasing.
Australians from every sector of the economy and society – First Nations, finance and faith, cities and states, business big and small, agriculture, resources and energy, health and social service, unions, think tanks, civil society organisations, and higher education – are already acting on climate change, and are calling on the Australian Government to join them in rising to the challenge and opportunities that a zero emissions future presents.
This event will explore the reasons behind the shortfall in the Australian Government’s climate and energy commitments, the impacts of this shortfall on domestic and global action, and the role that non-state actor leadership is playing in Australia. Speakers will examine the diverse climate action being taken by individuals and organisations that is lowering costs and catalysing greater ambition across society and the economy, highlighting opportunities to transform Australia from a climate laggard to a leader.

View speaker presentations below:

• Ambition: Australia’s COP26 NDC
  Richie Merzian, Climate & Energy Program Director, The Australia Institute
• Climate change impacts on country, health and wellbeing: Indigenous sovereignty and wisdom
  Dr Janine Mohamed, Lowitja Institute
• Australian public calling for strong leadership on climate change
  Professor Jacqueline Peel, Director, Melbourne Climate Futures, University of Melbourne
• The Federal Government is lagging behind the rest of the country
  Gavan McFadzean, Manager, Climate Change and Clean Energy Program, Australian Conservation Foundation
• Top-line Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander priorities
  Dr Virginia Marshall, Executive member of the Indigenous Peoples Organisation – Australia, the Inaugural Indigenous Postdoctoral Fellow at the Australian National University and Better Futures Australia Ambassador

Event partners