What is COP26?
COP26 is a summit that will bring together world leaders to discuss the future of climate action across the world. This will be the 26th Climate Change conference and this year it is taking place in Glasgow. The summit is due to take place between 31 October and 12 November. The conference will see a lot of issues being discussed by leaders around how to fight climate change and stop temperatures rising.
Check out this video made by a group of young people. The group includes some of Woodcraft Folk’s very talented young members. The video gives a really great explanation of what COP26 is, what it hopes to achieve and how it is viewed from the perspective of a child
Woodcraft Folk’s Position
“Woodcraft Folk supports our young members in taking action to address the climate emergency through lobbying, peer education and social action. We are committed to amplifying their voices and demands for climate action and accountability by our decision makers.
As an organisation committed to children’s rights we support their right to freely express their views and will support them in taking action to ensure that all children’s rights are respected and protected, especially their rights to life, to food, to a safe environment and to a future.” – Woodcraft Folk General Council (Trustees) Read their full statement on COP26 here.
How can I be involved?
There are many ways that we can make change happen. Whether you can be involved in COP26 in person in Glasgow, at a local hub or by joining digitally there are many ways to have your voice heard. Conversations and actions that come out of COP26 will affect everyone, across the world and their future.
In Glasgow for COP26?
Friday 5th November – Fridays for Future march for striking school children and young people as well as those supporting young people’s voices being heard.
Join Woodcraft Folk Scotland in the Youth Bloc at the Global Day of Action march and rally on Saturday November 6th -There will be feeder marches from the West End and from the Southside who will meet at George Square and then proceed to Glasgow Green. Wrap up warm, wear sturdy footwear, bring food. Marchers meeting from 11:30am – check out the Facebook event for more information
Woodcraft Folk will also have a presence at the Youth day at the People’s Summit – Sunday November 7th. Woodcraft Folk will be running a big wide game on Sunday 7th November, 11.45am to 13.15pm at the Fred Paton Centre, 19 Carrington Street, G4 9AJ. Join for a fun, active, running-around game to explore our influence on climate policy and share understanding of the direct impact of government and leaders’ decisions. All welcome, all ages. There are other activities for children and young people throughout the day.
Woodcraft Folk will also be running this game on Sunday 7th November, 9.30am to 11am at the courtyard at the Deep End, 21 Nithsdale Street, G41 2PZ.
Not in Glasgow for COP26?
Find your local hub and join others in marching and demonstrating for a more equal, green and healthier future for our world.
Virtually join the World Climate March and have your voice heard online with thousands of others during the COP26 conference
Advice for protesters
Whether in Glasgow or elsewhere here is some really useful advice from COP26 Coalition around your rights when protesting and what is useful to bring with.
What is the People’s Summit?
While world leaders meet to discuss our future at COP26, the COP26 Coalition will be building power for system change together. The People’s summit will Bring together movements to discuss, learn and strategise for system change.
Join in online from anywhere in the world, or in-person in Glasgow. There are also many local hubs being set up around the UK on the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice (November 6), find your local hub now.
What is the COY16?
The Conference of Youth (COY) will happen in 2021 the week before the Conference of the Parties (COP) in Glasgow. The event will happen between 28-31 October. This year will be the 16th COY to take place. Thousands of young people will come together from 140 countries around the world to discuss change and how the climate crisis affects their future.
How can I have my voice heard at COY16?
Make your own youth statement either in a group of young people or as an individual. Set out your demands and use this toolkit to help you create your own statement. Share with us by emailing it to Debs@woodcraft.org.uk and we will share with COY16. See our statement from General Council (our trustees) as an example.
What can I do?
You could get involved by:
- Finding your local hub
- Join the Moths to a Flame campaign. A mass participation art installation engaging thousands of people in creative activity and conversation inspired relationship with nature, and the climate emergency. Help to make 20,000 moths to display at Glasgow’s glorious botanic gardens during COP26.
Activities for groups
If you work with young people at a Woodcraft Folk group, school, as a parent or guardian or at another youth group you can check out our activities around the environment in the activities section. Also check out our WE:CAN activity pack full of resources to help young people learn about the climate crisis.
More activities to do with your group:
- Climate negotiations
- A hat debate about the climate emergency
- Take the adaptation quiz
Share what you are doing with us using #WoodcraftFolk_Cop26
