UK hosts vital discussion on climate commitments in the run-up to COP 26

The UK is hosting the vital UN climate conference, COP 26 at Glasgow from Nov 9-19, 2020.

This is an opportunity to make a truly global effort. COP 26 will be the biggest summit the UK has ever hosted, bringing together over 30,000 delegates to agree more ambitious action on climate change.

In the run up to the world’s biggest climate conference, the UK will hold a Year of Climate Action.

The ‘Mind the Climate’ event marks one of the many engagements that the UK will have in the run- up to COP 26 showcasing existing and new partnerships with India and creating opportunities for innovative collaborations in the future to scale-up climate ambition.

Speaking at the climate event, Minister Counsellor Fergus Auld, OBE, Head of South Asia Department and India Coordinator at United Kingdom’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office said, “I am delighted to be in West Bengal. Nowhere is the ‘Living Bridge’ between the United Kingdom and India stronger than in Kolkata. The ‘Mind the Climate’ discussion at the Indian Chamber of Commerce shows that the UK and India are a ‘Force for Good’, committed to global action on climate change and a successful outcome to November’s COP26 Summit in Glasgow.”

Auld mentioned, “The UK is proud to be founder members of the India-led Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, announced by India in New York last September.”

Nick Low, British Deputy High Commissioner to Kolkata said, “It’s great to have Fergus Auld from London, Francesca Datola from the Italian Embassy in New Delhi and Prabhat Kumar Mishra from the Government of West Bengal with us for this important event. 2020 is a critical year for our planet.

The science is clear, climate change is real and it is threatening our future. Let no one doubt our commitment to making a difference locally and globally in the fight against climate change.”

Francesca Datola from the Italian Embassy in New Delhi speaking at the event said, “In its action to address the climate change issue, Italy traditionally has had at heart the concepts of participation and inclusion. This is especially true for the younger generations who have been recently playing an ever active role on the global scene.

That is why Italy is planning to host in Milan, back to back with the Pre-COP, a “Youth4theCOP” event which will offer the possibility for an active participation of young people. The youth event will provide a platform for innovative and out of the box proposals and ideas which will feed into the formal negotiations process.”

Mayank Jalan, President, Indian Chamber of Commerce said, “Industries play a vital role in climate change. It should be the top priority of every individual to acknowledge and make conscious efforts to protect the environment. We owe it to our coming generations”.

The panel discussion with climate and energy experts was chaired by Prabhat Kumar Mishra IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Environment, Government of West Bengal.

The panellists and audience highlighted expectations from COP 26 and how the world can enhance climate action to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degree C.