FM: COP26 is our best chance to address climate change

COP26 is the international community’s best, perhaps only, chance to address the threat of climate change, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.

Speaking to a virtual gathering of Scottish business and investment leaders today, the First Minister said that welcoming the international climate change conference to Scotland was a huge honour, carrying major responsibility.

She announced that the Scottish Government will establish a Net Zero Leaders Group to support state and regional governments in their climate ambitions by providing practical and technical support for the implementation of net-zero commitments.

In partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Net Zero Leaders Group will play a leading role in increasing knowledge among governments on actions to transition to net-zero.

A new Global Capital Investment Plan will be launched later this month setting out how Scotland can attract the investment we need to become a successful net-zero economy.

The First Minister said:

“The decisions made at COP26 affect the prosperity, health, and wellbeing of all of us. COP26 is vital to the future of the planet we share.

“We all have a responsibility to deliver a safe and secure conference. But above all, we have a responsibility to lead by example. As one of the nations which led the world into the industrial age, we want this year, to help to lead the world into the net-zero age.

“Climate change remains the greatest challenge facing this planet. And COP26 is our best, perhaps only, chance to address it.

“Scotland, as a responsible global citizen, will do everything we can to play our part.”

Background

The First Minister was speaking at the Scottish Development International Race to Zero event. The full speech is available on the Scottish Government website.

The Net Zero Group will draw on the experience across the Under2 Coalition, creating an unique and dedicated space for state and regional governments to foster peer learning, share technical expertise and learn from examples of good practice on setting net zero targets and pathways.  

The Under2 Coalition is a group of more than 220 governments representing over 1.3 billion people and 43% of the global economy.