Imperial at COP26

Delegation

View our COP26 delegation and media contacts

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The 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), hosted in Glasgow in November 2021, is the first opportunity since the signing of the Paris Agreement for countries to set out more ambitious plans for tackling climate change.

With the UK government as host, our academic community is mobilising its collective expertise to help drive ambition.

Events

Woman and child walk through the flood waters in east Jakarta, Indonesia.

Where are we now, where are we headed, what are the risks?

This event, organised by the Grantham Institute, presents the 2021 rebound in carbon emissions from the Global Carbon Project

Man speaking into microphone

A fair and inclusive transition

Hear the voices of Young People as they explore what their role and yours might be in creating a fair and inclusive transition to Net Zero.
Mural in Glasgow stating 'Our climate is changing'

Grantham Climate Art Prize

The winning murals of the Grantham Climate Art Prize 2021 will be digitally displayed in the Blue Zone throughout the two weeks of the conference.
ActNowFilm

ActNowFilm – Youth voices on climate

A short film featuring young people talking about their lived experiences of climate change, their climate pledges and their demands of the negotiator
Tractor spraying soy field in sunset.

Innovation event

Get insights on how innovation can make a difference at home, on travel and food.
Image of the river Clyde in Glasgow

Climate Innovation Showcase

An exhibition of climate-related research, as well as a series of events, has been curated by the COP26 Universities Network
Two men standing by a flooded road

Communicating Climate Risk - Panel and Toolkit Launch

A unique conversation between experts on the risks of climate change and the key audiences they are trying to reach.
Woman making notes

Green Career Pathways: Panel discussion and Q&A;

Discover how green education, training, and employment can deliver a resilient and equitable transition to net-zero
Fog rising between mountains in the evening, Borneo

Multi-level action for biodiversity and climate

Official side event which focuses on strengthening biodiversity and climate linkages through joint research, policy and action
Electric car charging on parking lot with electric car charging station.

The role of science in a successful net-zero transition

The Met Office and Grantham Institute joint event will share knowledge of how science can drive the net-zero transition forward.
Woman and child walk through the flood waters in east Jakarta, Indonesia.

We need to talk about mental health in a changing climate

This event explores the impact climate change has on our minds & how to use our emotions, passions, and skills to implement meaningful climate action.

COP Conversations

Join the Planet Pod team, in partnership with the COP26 Universities Network, the University of Strathclyde and the Grantham Institute, for a daily COP26 podcast.

The team will be in Glasgow for this crucial climate summit and will be bringing listeners insights, reflections and observations from the conference, and hearing from a wide range of voices. Guest podcasters include Dr Chris White from the University of Strathclyde and Alyssa Gilbert from the Grantham Institute.

Find out more and listen now. 

COP26 Universities Network

The Grantham Institute coordinates a group of more than 70 UK universities working together to support ambitious outcomes for climate action at COP26 and beyond. The Network's mission is to ensure that the UK academic sector plays our role in delivering a successful COP26, getting all players on track to deliver a low-carbon, resilient world. We aim to do so by easing access to evidence and academic expertise for COP26 for government, NGOs, and other actors, and by taking action ourselves. 

Read more about the COP26 Universities Network’s mission, activities and members.

Explore the network's briefings and podcast

Aeroplane photographed from below next to building

COP26 Universities Network Briefings

Discover all published and planned briefings
The Climate Papers logo

The Climate Papers podcast series

Tune in to our latest podcast series, which brings together the best minds preparing for COP26.

Explore Grantham Institute publications

Achieving a zero-carbon future

 

Crop against a blue sky

BECCS deployment: a reality check

This briefing explores the role that bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCs) technologies can really play in meeting global climate targets.
Road with the word Future on it

Using futures analysis to develop mitigation strategies

This briefing explores how different futures analysis methods can be used to better understand our rapidly changing world.
graphic showing green forms of transport

Tools to encourage low-carbon travel

This paper explores how policymakers and the private sector can support innovative low-carbon incentives to help drive down emissions in transport.
Wing of a plane being refuelled in the sunset

Aviation biofuels: important, achievable, tough to deliver

This briefing paper considers the potential for biojet fuels to reduce the direct carbon emissions from aviation over the long term.
Animation showing globe, atmosphere and CO2 bubbles being removed

Greenhouse gas removal technologies: commercial opportunity

This discussion paper looks at greenhouse gas removal from a commercial perspective and what needs to happen to develop the sector.
graphic showing future city with icons representing health happiness money and jobs

Co-benefits of climate change mitigation in the UK

This briefing shows how action on climate change can have multiple benefits across society.
solar panels in an urban environment in a developing country

Drivers in solar deployment in India: A state-level analysis

This report considers the drivers of inter-state solar power deployment in India, and what policies are appropriate to help India reach its targets.
Graphic showing EV icons and the globe

Is it better for the climate to drive an electric vehicle?

This infographic shows how much of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide is produced by driving an electric car one kilometre in different countries.
glass of a skyscraper

How capital affects investment in climate change mitigation

This paper looks at the cost of capital and how it affects investment in climate change mitigation and new low-carbon infrastructure.
Polluting factory

Improving the framework for carbon capture and storage

This report looks at improving the economic and policy framework for carbon capture and storage in the European Union.
Polluting factory

Negative emissions technologies

This paper outlines the practicalities of certain classes of negative emissions technologies and their relevance to climate change mitigation.
Solar thermal pipes

Solar-thermal and hybrid photovoltaic-thermal systems

This paper outlines the potential for the mass deployment of solar-thermal technologies.
Plane wing and sunset

Supporting rural electrification in developing countries

This project supported the transfer of technologies and solutions to rural electrification in two countries, Rwanda in Sub-Saharan Africa and Nepal.

Adapting to protect communities and natural habitats

 

Coastal landscape

Coastal blue carbon ecosystems and mitigation and adaptation

This briefing explores the contribution of coastal blue carbon ecosystems to climate change mitigation and adaptation
Butterly

Climate change and challenges for conservation

This briefing paper asks, to what extent does climate change require a re-think of conservation policy, planning and practice?
water sewage treatment works

Climate change and the human-made water cycle

This briefing considers the impact of climate change on water resources, and how the UK water sector can implement a sustainable water cycle.
Close up of people filling up large water bottles from communal spring

Experiences in managing water from Cape Town

This briefing gives an overview of the conditions that led to drought in Cape Town, its impacts, and the interventions implemented to respond to it.
Building covered with greenery and a tree nearby, seen from below

Integrating green and blue spaces into our cities

This briefing paper considers the multiple benefits of blue-green infrastructure and how it can improve the overall quality of life in cities.
man spraying pesticides in a field

Multiple stressors in freshwater ecosystems

This briefing paper considers how multiple threats to freshwater ecosystems interact with each other, and how to monitor, model & manage those threats
Forest in the UK in Autumn, with saplings

Implementing global policy: the ecosystem approach & forests

The briefing considers different policy approaches that have been developed for the conservation and management of the natural environment in the UK.

Climate finance and creating a just transition

 

 
Chancellor of the Exchequer red box on a wooden table with people at a meeting table in the background.

Paying for UK net zero

This briefing note explores the principles for a cost-effective and fair transition in the UK
Exterior for the Bank of England

Climate-financial scenarios for financial institutions

This briefing considers how the financial sector can manage the risks associated with moving to a zero-carbon future.
Woman and child walk through the flood waters in east Jakarta, Indonesia.

Impact of climate change on mental health and wellbeing.

This briefing paper shows how climate change is negatively affecting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of people around.
globe seen from space

Climate change, low-carbon transitions and security

This briefing discusses the role of climate change, and responses to it, as a security threat multiplier that can exacerbate the risk of conflict.
Graphic showing different types of energy and currency symbols

Towards a just and equitable low-carbon energy transition

This briefing reviews evidence on the risk of adverse impacts of a rapid transition to a low-carbon economy, and discusses how risks can be minimised.
Future written on a road with an arrow to the horizon

Using futures analysis to develop climate strategies

This briefing paper explores how different futures analysis methods can be used to better understand our rapidly changing world.

News and long reads

Car trying to drive through a flooded main road. It is raining and there is a lot of traffic.

IPCC climate report
Illustration of planet Earth with heat maps across it and four icons coming out of it, including a house, a cow, a plane, and a factory with towers.

9 things you can do about climate change
People cool off in water mist during heatwave in Montreal, Canada.

Heatwave spells disaster in North America
Illustration of a greener future, with the worlds 'The world in 2050'

The climate is our business
Underwater photograph of marine life in south Egypt, with fish and many different coral species.

How your life relies on biodiversity
Illustration of a world with net-zero transport. There are people walking, biking, taking the train, electric buses, a plane in the sky. The buildings are green with plants and there are wind turbines on the hill in the distance.

As Imperial prepares for COP26 in Glasgow, researchers release a new study exploring how the world can achieve a net-zero emissions transport system.
COP26 flag

Imperial shapes its role in the UN Climate Change Conference COP26
Text: 9 things you can do to protect the natural world. Image: Planet Earth with plants appearing from behind it.

9 things you can do to protect the natural world
Piles of clothing outdoors on a sunny day

Festival talk series to tackle big green questions

Imperial voices on climate and environment

Dr Gbemi Oluleye Play video

Dr Gbemi Oluleye, Imperial College Research Fellow

Dr Gbemi Oluleye, Imperial College Research Fellow, discusses her research on cutting greenhouse gas emissions from industrial sectors.

Dr Gbemi Oluleye

Dr Gbemi Oluleye, Imperial College Research Fellow

Dr Gbemi Oluleye discusses cutting emissions from industrial sectors.

Dr Gbemi Oluleye, Imperial College Research Fellow, discusses her research on cutting greenhouse gas emissions from industrial sectors.

Dr Joeri Rogelj

Dr Joeri Rogelj, Director of Research at Grantham Institute

Dr Joeri Rogelj discusses how his research helps to inform international climate targets.

Dr Joeri Rogelj, Director of Research at the Grantham Institute, discusses how his research helps to inform international climate targets to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

Dr Bonnie Waring

Dr Bonnie Waring, Senior Lecturer at the Grantham Institute

Dr Bonnie Waring discusses the carbon cycle and how far forests can help tackle climate change.

Dr Bonnie Waring, Senior Lecturer at the Grantham Institute, discusses her research on the carbon cycle and how far nature-based solutions like tree planting can be effective in helping to tackle climate change.

Dr Billy Wu

Dr Billy Wu, Senior Lecturer at Imperial

Dr Billy Wu discusses his research on electric cars and batteries.

Dr Billy Wu, Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London, discusses his research on electric cars and batteries, and how developments in this field can help to cut carbon emissions from transport.

Dr Madeleine Morris

Dr Madeleine Morris, Research Associate at the Grantham Inst

Dr Madeleine Morris discusses her research on the policy and regulation of the energy system.

Dr Madeleine Morris, Research Associate at the Grantham Institute, discusses her research on whether the policies, regulations and market structures of today's energy system are fit for purpose for a future energy system that fits into a net-zero world.

Naveed Chaudhry

Naveed Chaudhry, Accelerator Lead at the Grantham Institute

Naveed Chaudhry on the role of entrepreneurs and startups in tackling climate change.

Naveed Chaudhry, Accelerator Lead at the Grantham Institute, discusses the role of entrepreneurs and startups in tackling climate change, and how innovation can help create a cleaner, greener future.

Dr Mirabelle Muûls

Dr Mirabelle Muûls, Assistant Professor of Economics

Dr Mirabelle Muûls discusses her research on the economics of climate change.

Dr Mirabelle Muûls, Assistant Professor of Economics at Imperial College Business School, discusses her research on the economics of climate change and the impact of climate change on businesses.

Dr Ana Mijic

Dr Ana Mijic, Senior Lecturer in Water Systems Analysis

Dr Ana Mijic discusses the water cycle, sustainable development and nature-based solutions.

Dr Ana Mijic, Senior Lecturer in Water Systems Analysis and Co-Director of the Centre for Systems Engineering and Innovation, discusses her research on the water cycle, sustainable development and nature-based solutions.

Dr Oytun Babacan

Dr Oytun Babacan, Imperial College Research Fellow

Dr Oytun Babacan on low-carbon technologies and how to integrate them into existing infrastrure.

Dr Oytun Babacan, Imperial College Research Fellow at the Grantham Institute, discusses his research on low-carbon energy technologies and how to integrate emerging technologies into existing infrastructure.