COP26: browse the programme
Do you plan to go to COP26? Do you want to follow the events surrounding this major meeting online? Construction21 gathered the practical information available to help you make the most of it.
What's at stake
As for the past COPs, the negotiations aim to strengthen the ambition and climate actions of the actors in 5 key sectors:
- Adaptation and resilience
- Nature
- Energy transition
- Green mobility
- Sustainable finance
This year, a topical Cities, Regions & Built Environment day is planned on the 11th of November. This represents an effort to recognise the role of such sectors in pushing forward and implementing the ecological transition. The UNFCC fosters a collective and collaborative approach between the actors involved. A call for projects was launched in 2020, and the most innovative ones globally will be presented.
How to access COP26
The Blue Zone
Managed by the UNFCC, the Blue Zone is restricted to the deleguates of the 197 Parties and to observer organisations. This is the space dedicated to the negotiations, as well as panel discussions, exhibitions and other side events. Only accredited organisations can access these events.
The Green Zone
This year, the UK is organising a Green Zone to allow members of the public to exchange, learn, and discover sustainable projects from all over the world. All sectors will be represented: NGOs, private actors, public actors, activists, academics, artists... On top of exhibitions, events such as workshops and panel discussions are planned. The majority of them will be available online, live or on demand.
Registration is mandatory to access the Green Zone, a platform to grab your free ticket opened here on the 11th of october. You can also subscribe to the official COP26 newsletter to receive the latest updates.
The events will be shared online on the COP26 YouTube channel.
Side events
Many organisations will host their own side events, independently or in partnership with the City of Glasgow.
This is the case of Construction21 with the international awards ceremony of the Green Solutions Awards at the City Chambers, the D2Grids event and 2 other talks!
Construction21's selection
Among these numerous events, Construction21 recommends the following ones on the theme of sustainable cities and buildings:
- The Virtual Built Environment Pavilion (11/01-11/12): organised by #BuildingToCOP26, a coalition of actors of the sector, it's a virtual space dedicated to the sector of the built environment, with exhibitions and conferences. Learn more
- The Buildings Pavilion (11/01-11/12): another #BuildingToCOP26 event with the GABC in the Blue Zone this time. For more than 10 days, many will gather around a series of events on sustainable construction. Learn more
- The Sustainable Innovation Forum 2021 (11/08-11/09): an independent event in person and online. Of particular interest are the "Creating liveable spaces: homes, heating, cooling, retrofitting" (11/08 11:15am-12:30pm local time); "Rising to the challenge of zero carbon buildings - a lifestyle approach (11/09 10:25am-11:05am local time); "System solutions for climate resilient cities" (11/09 15:55-16:35 local time) panel discussions. Learn more
- The "Commercial Buildings: A real asset in addressing climate change?" (11/04 09:30-11am local time) talk: a Green Zone event on the role of commercial building in the ecological transition. Learn more
- The “Decarbonise the supply chain in the construction sector” talk (11/09 11:30am-1pm local time): a holistic approach of sustainability in construction with Velux. Learn more
- The topical Cities, Regions and Built Environment events of the Green Zone on 11/11: a dozen of talks, panel discussions, and workshops on the progress and opportunities of the sector! In person at the Glasgow Science Centre or online on the COP26 YouTube channel. Learn more
The coalition #BuildingToCOP26 also gathered a list of all the events of the sector on this page.
Practical information
- Date: On the 1st to the 12th of November 2021
- Location: in Glasgow (UK) at the Scottish Event Campus for the Blue Zone (Map) and the Glasgow Science Centre for the Green Zone (Map)
- Accomodation advise: check regularly booking websites for rooms becoming available, or book in Edinburgh (1 hour by train from Glasgow)
Travel restrictions - Brexit & COVID-19
Since the 1st of October 2021 european travellers need to carry a valid passport to enter the UK.
COVID-19 travel rules depend on which country you come from: first make sure you're not travelling from a red list country (details here).
If you come from an amber list country and are fully vaccinated:
- Fill in a passenger locator form (here) in the 48 hours before you arrive in Scotland
- Do a PCR test in the 48 hours after you arrive in Scotland. You'll need to include the booking number on your passenger locator form. Book your test here through the public health provider (£68) and here through a private company (book early to reduce the cost!).
*AT least 14 days after the second dose of an approved vaccine
If you come from an amber list country and are not fully vaccinated:
- Fill in the same passenger locator form
- Do a negative PCR test in the 72 hours before you arrive in Scotland
- Self-isolate for 10 days
- Do a negative PCR test on the 2nd and 8th days of your self-isolation. You also need to book them before you travel, here through the public provider (£136) and here through private ones.
