Rise
Climate justice
to the
Moment
T
he climate crisis is a storm we all face, but we’re not all in the same boat. Every day, people living in poverty battle the worst of a crisis they did not create. This is deeply unjust. But a better way is possible. Together we can tackle the inequalities in wealth and power that have led to this climate crisis – starting now. In November, the UK Government will host the United Nations key climate talks, COP26. This is a decade-defining opportunity to impact and influence the decisions made. We must ensure
What is COP26? COP26 is the 26th meeting of world leaders at the UN climate change talks. The conference has been described as the most important gathering on climate change since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015. After being postponed in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, COP26 is due to take place in the first two weeks of November 2021. For many, this conference remains the best, and only, global platform to build consensus on climate justice and action.
Where will COP26 take place? All being well, COP26 will be held in Glasgow. This is a fitting city for such an event. Fondly known as the Dear Green Place, it was once a centre of industrialisation. Now,
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our global neighbours are heard. That’s why Christian Aid is joining together with Young Christian Climate Network (YCCN) for Rise to the Moment – a journey of prayer and action in the run-up to COP26. Together we can amplify our prophetic voices and create one unified movement for change. From now on, every moment matters and every action counts in the fight for climate justice. Will you rise to the moment?
the very site where the conference will be held is at risk of being reclaimed by the rising River Clyde. For two centuries, Glasgow has been the birthplace of social movements sparked by injustice. Here’s hoping the warm Glaswegian hospitality and longheld passion for justice will set in motion climate justice for all.
What is Christian Aid’s role? One of the key characteristics of the COP conferences is that people from all over the world are represented, both in official delegations and from civil society. A crucial part we play is ensuring that the voices of our partners and the communities we work with are heard during the conference. We can’t achieve climate justice without involving the people
most affected by the crisis in the discussions and decisions.
What are we hoping for? At COP26, we will be looking for progress on the key issue of climate finance – making sure that those most affected by the crisis are provided with money to help cope with it. In 2009, the world’s richest countries, including the UK, agreed to deliver $100bn a year in climate finance to the world’s poorest and most climatevulnerable countries by 2020. This promise was not fulfilled. We will be pressing this issue alongside faith communities in the UK, partner organisations around the world, and YCCN.
