COP26
COP26 will mark the start of a brighter future for our planet and the wonderful creatures with which we share it. You can stay up to date with the latest news, analysis and in-depth reporting from the Planet Mark team covering the climate change summit in Glasgow.
Planet Mark at COP26
Road to COP26
Planet Mark arrived in Glasgow as part of the penultimate week of the Zero Carbon Tour. The Carbon Battle Bus joined other electric vehicles and electric vehicle associations for the Electric Road to COP26. We stopped by the Electric Juice Depot event, hosted by First Bus, Octopus Energy & Hitachi Europe at Glasgow’s largest EV charging depot. The event highlighted the future of green transport and allowed the team to engage in important discussions around what more is needed to accelerate EV uptake, including improvements to the charging infrastructure in the UK.
SMEs and the Race to Zero
Planet Mark’s Steve Malkin and Andrew Griffiths joined Normative and Google UK for a fascinating discussion on the incentives that can be offered to help SMEs join the Race to Zero. This panel discussion looked at how tech can enable more SMEs to understand and track their impact; and why scaled solutions are a key part of the solution to climate change.
Decarbonising public transport in NI
Our team attended Translink’s event, held in the Science Show Theatre which gave an account of their actions to revolutionise and decarbonise Northern Ireland’s public transport system, transitioning to renewable energy technologies and accelerating net zero emissions across their bus and train fleet and wider business by 2040.
Ad Net Zero Global Summit
Steve Malkin joined Planet Mark member the Advertising Association’s Ad Net Zero Global Summit to discuss how the advertising industry can reach net zero and help bring suppliers and clients along in the process. Steve also shared some of the learnings uncovered through visiting businesses of all sizes across the UK with the Zero Carbon Tour.
The EXTREME Hangout at COP26
The Planet Mark team in Glasgow spent the day at The EXTREME Hangout, hosted by Planet Mark members EXTREME International. The hangout was a youth-focused hub to encourage engagement, inspiration and education. It was also great to have the opportunity to present EXTREME with their Planet Mark Certification in person. Congratulations EXTREME International!
EVROS Greenfleet Rally
Our team supported EVROS’ electric vehicle rally, putting 16+ EVs on the road and setting them off from Glasgow on a 1200+ mile ‘e-Tour of Scotland’. The event aimed to showcase the importance of decarbonising transport as a key element to help shift towards a net zero economy.
UN Race to Zero Partner Roundtable
As a partner of the UN-backed Race to Zero campaign, members of our team attended a roundtable alongside financial institutions, universities and UN high-level climate champion of Chile Gonzalo Muñoz. This roundtable looked at how we can mobile net zero commitments to halve emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions as soon as possible.
Climate finance
Climate finance refers to mobilising public, private or alternative sources of financing at scale to support mitigation and adaptation actions that will help tackle the climate crisis. This includes supporting and funding to be provided for developing nations.
Energy
To meet the Paris Agreement, we must accelerate the global transition to clean energy. We have an opportunity to move away from coal towards clean power including solar and wind power that benefits jobs, employees and communities.
Youth and public empowerment
In this crucial decade of action, the role of youth is essential in combating climate change. We must amplify the voice of young people and demonstrate the crucial role of public empowerment and education in addressing the climate crisis.
Nature
Protecting and restoring nature for the benefit of people and climate is an overarching COP26 theme. Improving conservation and management of natural areas is crucial to protecting the ecosystems we depend on and limiting global warming below 1.5 C.
Adaption, loss and damage
The second goal of COP is to adapt to protect communities and natural habitats. As part of this objective, it’s important to ensure nature and sustainable land are part of the global action to move towards a clean, green recovery. Companies should aim to collaborate with organisations that are working to restore ecosystems and build more resilient infrastructure so we can adapt to the challenges caused by climate change.
Gender
Today, climate investment and policies don’t sufficiently consider the distinct effects of climate change on women, girls and marginalised populations. It is imperative that we progress gender equality as well as the full and meaningful participation of women and girls in climate action. As decision-makers, educators and advocates, women and girls have a fundamental role to play in the fight against the climate crisis.
Science and innovation
Science and innovation are critical to understanding our changing climate, developing solutions to limit global temperature rises and adapting communities to the risks posed by climate change. To ensure we have a diverse range of technologies and climate solutions that are accessible to all, we must take a collaborative, inclusive and multi-disciplinary approach.
Transport
With road transport accounting for 10% of global emissions, accelerating the transition to zero emission vehicles is high on the agenda. To do this we must help bring together a central and local government with businesses to connect policy, investment and roll out of zero carbon technologies, like EV charging and nature-based solutions.
Cities, regions and built environment
The COP26 Presidency Theme of cities, regions and built environment focuses on advancing action in cities and communities of all types to create pathways to net zero. Organisations, local authorities and councils all have a role to play in mitigating climate change and building resilience.
Discover our Zero Carbon Solutions
Our Zero Carbon Solutions will de-mystify the subject of net zero carbon emissions and will support your business in reaching it. No matter what stage in your net zero journey you are on, from committing to a target to creating the action plan needed to get there, we’re here to support you.
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