UCL’s Contribution to COP26
What is COP26?
The UK hosted the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow from 31st October – 12th November. With so much climate action occurring globally this was one of the most important climate summits in history.
This event needs to change the course of the human story and our interaction with nature. To find out more about COP26 and what’s at stake read the “What is COP26?” Explainer from researchers at UCL’s Bartlett Faculty for the Built Environment.
How is UCL shaping the COP26 debate?
Academic Institutions such as UCL, play a critical role in influencing decision-makers to implement effective climate change policies. Our researchers and academics stand at the core of UK and global climate research.

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Climate experts from across UCL attended the COP26 UN climate summit in Glasgow.

Angelica Johansson

Anthony Costello

Jacqui McGlade

Lisa Vanhala

Jerome Lewis

Mark Maslin

Matt Winning

Priti Parikh

Richard Taylor

Rodney Harrison

Ryan Bellinson

Robbie Mallet

Dr Scott Allan Orr

Sonam Gordhan

Jhenelle Williams

Shin-Ichi Ohnuma

Lilia Couto

Tristan Smith

Elisa Calliari

Mariana Mazzucato

Simon Chin-Yee

Tom Dolan

Simon Lewis


Jim Watson

Philip Lewis

Qingling Wu
COP26 news highlights
![]() | Explainer: What is COP26?This explainer is part of The Bartlett's Together for climate action campaign. The Bartlett, UCL's Faculty of the Built Environment. We're here to build a better future. |
![]() | Scientists warn G7 that cost of breaching 1.5˚C warming limit will far exceed costs of achieving itA group of world-leading climate scientists are calling on global leaders to factor in the economic, environmental and humanitarian costs of failing to keep global warming below 1.5˚C this century. |
![]() | Support the 1.5˚C CharterJoin world-leading scientists in their call on global leaders to factor in the economic, environmental and humanitarian costs of failing to keep global heating below 1.5˚C this century. |
How to get involved
COP26 is an opportunity for everyone to get involved.
You can get engaged with the COP process; by lobbying your MP or Government representative for your country to adhere to or better their existing COP contributions. This will make it more likely that your government will stick to its commitments, and encourage it to take stronger action – you can find your country’s Nationally Determined Contributions here.
But you can also support your country, and hence the global effort, by taking action at any level you can. Building global momentum requires leadership at all levels – home, school, workplace, neighbourhood, city, region, as well as the national level.
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UCL COP26 podcasts