COP26 Collaboration for the climate

Dr Helen Adams
Head of Science Engagement, COP26
helen.adams@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
The Four Goals of COP26
1. MITIGATION – SECURE GLOBAL NET ZERO
AND KEEP 1.5 DEGREES WITHIN REACH 2. ADAPTATION – URGENTLY ADAPT TO
PROTECT COMMUNITIES AND NATURAL
Encouraging net-zero commitments by mid-century
(delivered through LTSs), and enhanced 2030
HABITATS
NDCs.
Enabling and encouraging countries affected by climate
Accelerating the phase-out of coal, encourage change to build defences, warning systems and resilient
investment in renewables, halt fossil fuel subsidies infrastructure to avoid loss of homes and livelihoods.
and pick up the pace on electric vehicle roll out.
COP26

4. COLLABORATION – WORK TOGETHER TO

3. MOBILISING FINANCE
Making good on the $100bn annual climate finance
goal affirmed through the Paris Agreement. We need
to be in a position to unleash the trillions in private
and public finance to meet global net zero.
ACCELERATE ACTION
Close off the outstanding elements of the Paris
Rulebook, and accelerate delivery of the Paris Goals
through collaboration between Governments,
Businesses, Academia and Civil Society.

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 OFFICIAL SENSITIVE

The Working Group I contribution to

the IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report

Net Zero by 2050 is

a science based
target

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 Highlight the scientific case for ambitious mitigation and
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adaptation, especially their benefits, net-zero pathways and practical
solutions.

2 Assist in using scientific evidence to build public and Government

COP26 support for achieving a climate-resilient net-zero future.
Presidency
Science
Objectives Role model and provide a platform for sharing experiences of using
3 evidence to inform policy-making to encourage others to use
effective processes

4 Build literacy, skills and capacity for science and innovation to help
deliver climate action in the UK and abroad.
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 How are we working towards this?
• Science and Innovation Steering Group

• Three dedicated science programmes on climate risk assessment, Net Zero futures
and health co-benefits – along with innovation activities

• Science and Innovation Day at COP26 – Tuesday 9 November

• Working closely with the UK’s COP26 University Network

• Collaboration with key science-policy organisations such as the International

Science Council

• Talking to networks of universities, and convening to catalyse collaboration

• UK Science and Innovation Network – to engage directly with academics in-

country
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A more porous science-policy interface?
● Hosting or taking part in one of the more than a
1000 TEDx Countdown events in October bringing
communities together to explore how they can
accelerate action.
● Organise events that raise the profile of research
that supports ambitious climate action;

○ Tell us about those events by Submitting to

the International Science Council’s pre-COP
science calendar
● Joining the Adaptation Research Alliance for user-
driven action-orientated research on adaptation
● Helping governments to meet their NDCs through,
joining the UNFCCC’s Paris Committee on
Capacity Building Network
Our asks of universities
● Engaging in public debate on climate change and informing policy - supporting
local regions and municipalities/cities in meeting their own targets;

● Ensuring climate is present in the curriculum - equipping future generations with the
skills to pioneer our journey to a healthy, resilient, low-carbon world;

● Making their own commitments and joining the Race to Zero for Universities and
Colleges;

● Catalysing university collaboration on action to meet the COP26 objectives.

 Science at the heart of what we do
• Four science objectives

• Governance structures to ensure the science and innovation are front and centre

• Three dedicated science programmes – advancing science through our convening

power

• Broad engagement activities to allow universities to come closer to the process

• Collaboration with international science-policy organisations

• Science and Innovation Day at COP26

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Thank you for listening!