COP Explained: Why COP26 Matters for the Knowledge Quarter Community

Four guest speakers will tackle the headline goals of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), while grounding the macroscopic scale of the negotiations in the everyday reality of the Knowledge Quarter, where people live, work and study. What is at stake at COP26? And why does it matter to us?

GOAL 1: Secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach

- Sowmya Parthasarathy, Urban Design Lead at consultancy firm Arup, will present the challenges, opportunities and action that is needed for the Knowledge Quarter area to thrive within a science-based 1.5 degree emissions target, based on their latest report, Green and Thriving Neighbourhoods.

GOAL 2: Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats

- Slaney Devlin, from the Somers Town Neighbourhood Forum, presents data on the very real risks to local people from a more extreme climate.

GOAL 3: Mobilise finance

- Eline Sleurink, from the UN Principals for Responsible Investment, describes the importance of divestment from polluting companies, the challenges of reporting and defining Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) and what can be done to prevent ‘greenwashing’.

GOAL 4. Work together to deliver

- Kristen Guida, from the GLA’s London Climate Change Partnership, will present on democratic and transparent ways for local communities and institutions to work together to respond to the climate crisis.

A panel discussion will follow the presentations, chaired by Maria Nelson, Director of Innovation Practice at Digital Catapult.

This event is a KQ Special Interest Group on Sustainability roundtable. We invite people from outside the KQ to all join. It is part of Getting to Net Zero, a new series of workshops and masterclasses from the Knowledge Quarter designed to help members understand their carbon emissions and develop strategies to do something about it.

In association with Camden Climate Change Alliance.