Glasgow, my home city, will host the 26th ‘Conference of the Parties’ (COP26) in November. Even though the purpose of COP is to discuss and develop policies, efforts to engage the local and wider community are gaining focus in Glasgow and throughout the UK. COP26 Coalition represents grassroots groups that aim to engage people in climate awareness and climate justice. This movement was initiated due to the lack of inclusivity in global and national discussions, and the belief that allowing more voices to be heard will allow us to strive towards better decision making and justice for all.
“Only we can imagine and build the future that works for all of us. The transformative solutions that we need to survive and build a more just and fair world can only be brought about through collective action, solidarity and coordination, from our local communities and international levels.” – COP26 Coalition
Ensuing all voices are heard requires people/groups to be physically in Glasgow to engage in discussion. Despite this, finding an affordable place to stay is a challenge, with reports suggesting that rented accommodation for the duration of COP26 will provide the equivalent of a year’s rent. This could potentially deter people from travelling to Glasgow – most likely people from countries who have not been historically responsible for climate change, but are facing the most intense impacts. Although there may not be controls to prevent landlords/ladies raising rent prices, schemes have been launched to help visitors find affordable accommodation, such as the ‘COP26 Homestay Network’ initiative established by COP26 Coalition and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland. Glaswegians participating in this initiative have opened their doors and offered to accommodate people from all over the world during COP26. Through this project, hosts can offer entire homes, spare rooms and shared rooms, at a fair price or even free of charge. Although we must still be mindful of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (which, although it may seem like it, is not over yet), this initiative importantly fosters inclusivity in climate discussions, initiates global friendships, and is even pitched as more environmentally considerate than staying in a hotel.
Providing affordable accommodation in Glasgow is just one building block towards climate justice and more inclusive policy making. We must continue to raise the voices of grassroots people and groups to ultimately foster just and resilient global systems.
References
About COP26 Coalition. COP26 Coalition. Available at: https://cop26coalition.org/about/the-coalition/ Last Accessed: 30/08/21
COP26 Coalition Home Page. COP26 Coalition. Available at: https://cop26coalition.org/. Last Accessed: 30/08/21
The Human Hotel COP26 Homestay Network. The Human Hotel. Available at: https://www.humanhotel.com/cop26/ Last Accessed: 30/08/21
Host a climate justice guest. The Human Hotel. Available at: https://www.humanhotel.com/cop26/be-a-host/ Last Accessed: 30/08/21
Wilson, C. COP26: Glasgow short-term let owners offered year’s rent. The Herald. 28/07/21. Available at: https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19472639.cop26-glasgow-short-term-let-owners-offered-years-rent/ Last Accessed: 30/08/21
References also available in Bibliography