4 November 2021—The UN Climate Change Conference COP26 is now underway in Glasgow, bringing the world together to tackle the biggest issue of our time – climate change. This is the world’s last, best chance to reach agreement on the action needed to avert catastrophic climate change and honour the goals of the Paris Agreement to keep a 1.5-degree limit on temperature rises within reach.

In the lead up to this critical summit, the British High Commission and consulates have been working with Canadian partners, organisations, and communities to drive climate action forward.

A critical component in delivering impactful climate action is rallying companies, cities, regions, financial, educational and healthcare institutions across the world to join the UN-backed Race To Zero Campaign which aims to halve global emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.

This summer, the City of Victoria joined Race To Zero, alongside more than 130 other Canadian non-state actors who are driving the path forward to a cleaner, greener, more sustainable future. The City of Victoria has committed to taking climate action and addressing the Climate Emergency by reducing greenhouse emissions by 80% and transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2050.

To find out more about the City of Victoria’s commitments, British Consul-General in Vancouver, Nicole Davison, sat down with Mayor Lisa Helps to discuss the city’s pledge to Race To Zero:

About Race to Zero

Race To Zero is a global campaign to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, and investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.

It mobilizes a coalition of leading net zero initiatives, representing 733 cities, 31 regions, 3,067 businesses, 173 of the biggest investors, and 622 Higher Education Institutions. These ‘real economy’ actors join 120 countries in the largest ever alliance committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest. Collectively these actors now cover nearly 25% global CO₂ emissions and over 50% GDP.

The objective is to build momentum around the shift to a decarbonized economy ahead of COP26, where governments must strengthen their contributions to the Paris Agreement. This will send governments a resounding signal that business, cities, regions and investors are united in meeting the Paris goals and creating a more inclusive and resilient economy. racetozero.unfccc.int/join-the-race/

About COP26

The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 1 – 12 November, 2021. The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The UK is committed to working with all countries and joining forces with civil society, companies and people on the frontline of climate change to inspire climate action ahead of COP26. To learn more visit ukcop26.org/