Our University and COP 26

Our University had a part to play when the 26th UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26) came to Glasgow, Scotland.

Graphic design of the planet Earth. Text says 'UN Climate Change Conference UK 2021'
Colourful banner at COP26 march

COP26 was the 26th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Glasgow in November 2021.

These annual meetings, between the signatories of UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), serve as an important tool to address and combat climate change. It is also a chance for academics, charities, organisations, and the public to teach, learn and campaign on the climate.

Our University was part of the COP26 Universities Network, a growing group of over 80 UK-based universities and research centres working together to raise ambition for tangible outcomes from the UN COP26 Climate Change Conference. We have also been contributing to annual COPs in four main ways:

  1. Presenting research
  2. Advocacy for climate action
  3. Observing negotiations between parties
  4. Analysing the discussions for various audiences so we can best communicate our work

You can find out more about our work below:

Insights from our experts

Experts from our school and their thoughts about the events and agreements made at COP26.

Was COP26 a success?

Professor Dave Reay reflects on the successes of COP26 and where it fell short.

“It's clear that, while real progress was made, it was nowhere near enough. There were notable successes in terms of agreement on the 'rule book' that underpins the Paris Agreement, and strong multinational initiatives on tackling key issues such as deforestation and methane emissions. Ultimately though, COP26 fell well short of delivering the national commitments that would together limit warming globally to 1.5°C.”

Good COP or bad COP?

Professor Stuart Haszeldine shares his ‘on the ground’ insights to the working of COP26.

“Being there in person produced a lot of revealing moments.  Incremental progress was made in Glasgow, but change needs to happen faster. The climate does not wait for politics, and it remains headed for an ever deeper crisis.”

Climate action at Edinburgh Univerisity

Our work on climate action and sustainability doesn't just stop at COP, explore what more we do below:

The first of its kind in the UK, our University Department of Social Responsibility and Sustainability was created to help the University, our staff, and students deliver on its vision to make the world a better place by offering the most successful social responsibility and sustainability service in higher education. 

We consistently rank among world-leaders in sustainability in higher education and have also committed to becoming zero carbon by 2040. Our University's Climate Strategy lays out a comprehensive approach to climate change mitigation and adaptation to achieve our ambitious targets

Why study Earth Observation and Geoinformation Management at Edinburgh?
Visit the Edinburgh University sustainability website

Explore stories on our impact on how we understand and combat climate change:


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Going underground

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Seeing the woods

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