Event: COP26 – 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties

Date: 31 October – 12 November 2021 (attended selected sessions in November)

Location: Glasgow, Scotland (in‑person and hybrid participation)

Type of CPD: International policy conference / climate strategy / sustainability and resilience

Duration: Multi‑day engagement (selected sessions, side events, and sector‑specific briefings)

Summary of the Event

I participated in COP26, the United Nations’ global climate conference hosted in Glasgow in November 2021. COP26 was a landmark event, bringing together world leaders, negotiators, scientists, NGOs, businesses and civil society to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The conference focused on limiting global warming to 1.5°C, strengthening national climate commitments, mobilising climate finance, and accelerating adaptation and resilience. Alongside the formal negotiations, I attended water‑sector side events, innovation showcases, and thematic sessions on resilience, net‑zero pathways, and nature‑based solutions.

Water was a central theme throughout COP26, with multiple sessions highlighting the critical role of water security, wastewater management, and climate‑resilient infrastructure in global climate action.

Key Themes Covered

• Global climate commitments (NDCs) Updated national pledges to reduce emissions and accelerate adaptation.
• Water and climate resilience Recognition that water is the primary medium through which climate impacts are felt—flooding, drought, sea‑level rise, and water quality degradation.
• Net‑zero strategies Pathways for utilities, industries and governments to reduce emissions, including methane reduction and energy‑positive wastewater treatment.
• Nature‑based solutions Wetlands, peatlands, reforestation and catchment‑based approaches to enhance resilience and carbon sequestration.
• Climate finance and investment Mobilising public and private capital to support adaptation, infrastructure and innovation.
• Innovation and technology Digital tools, monitoring systems, and low‑carbon technologies to support climate mitigation and adaptation.
• Equity and climate justice Ensuring vulnerable communities are supported in adaptation and resilience planning.