RisingTideUK COP26 Update #7

Submitted by thebrentc on Tue, 11/16/2021 - 17:09

WHEN & WHAT
As you know COP26 will be held in 2 weeks time, from October 31st-12th(maybe14th) November. The COP Presidency Programme and official details can be found here:  https://ukcop26.org/the-conference/presidency-programme/ . Provisional agendas for the upcoming session of each governing and subsidiary body can
be found here:- https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/conferences/glasgow-climate-cha… . 8,700 delegate and 17,400 observer participants in total have accreditation for the conference. COP26Coalition Logistics Working Group:Visa subgroup's briefing on attending COP26, including information on accreditation, vaccinations, events and visas, is here:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xwSGi61WJf40IguasOOpObws_jJv-HTEh2Q… . The Coalition has set up a Media centre where you can register and read more about their plans here.

LEGAL STUFF
Scotland of course has a devolved government including public health responsibility and separate law to the rest of the UK. Luckily for us SCALP (Scottish Community and Activist Legal Project) have compiled a comprehensive guide to protest, police and Scottish Law :- https://www.scottishactivistlegalproject.co.uk/guide-to-activism-scotti… and an updated (1st Oct) Covid-19 legal guide https://www.scottishactivistlegalproject.co.uk/covid-resources/ .

COPS@COP
You are not obliged to liaise, contact, or reply to inquiries by Police Scotland or others ahead of your activities during COP26. Some press coverage of the police public order training has framed protest as a dangerous and threatening activity that makes a strong police response necessary. This framing needs to be resisted by all of us as strongly as possible. Our rights to protest, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are protected rights which the police have a legal duty to protect.
The COP26Coalition will be organising Legal Support for the duration. About 10,000 cops will be deployed each day during the summit, including London's Metropolitan Police who've said they'll be there and only 45% will be from Police Scotland. Map of Conference Centre with the Road closures for climate change summit

HEALTH
Currently all internal Covid-19 restrictions are off in England as the UK "government" lurches back in favour of another gamble at herd immunity with only 79% of people over 12 double dose vaccinated. Currently 40k weekly average new cases a day threaten the abandoned vulnerable of our society. Total deaths nearing 140k after the arbitrary 28 day cut-off with 117 a day current weekly average. Full current data here:-  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51768274 . For current local situation, type "Glasgow City Council" into "How many cases, vaccinations and deaths in my area?" section. Scotland followed but still has some restrictions you'll find here:- https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/ updated 4th Oct to include vaccine passports.

TRAVEL
See:- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-tra… . The Rail to the COP train will arrive 5-7pm GMT in Glasgow on October 30th, starting in Amsterdam. Sign ups have now closed but e-mail info@railtothecop.com to see if additional tickets become available. https://railtothecop.com/apply . Both Scotrail and Caledonian Sleepers RMT trade union members are planning strike action throughout the COP period so don't use any scab trains still running but support he strike and make alternative plans to travel. Monitor as news develops. https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-confirms-strike-action-on-scotrail-and-…

SLEEP
The COP26 Homestay Network  https://www.humanhotel.com/cop26/ has people in the central belt of Scotland signed up to host activists. https://climate.humanhotel.org/ Its a non-profit alternative to Airbnb and hotels, offering affordable and community-minded accommodation for the Climate Justice movement on an open floor, sofa or room. If you’re travelling as a group and are interested in larger group accommodation options, let them know and/or to sign up as a guest here: https://www.humanhotel.com/cop26/be-a-guest/ .

CRASH SPACES
COP26 Coalition Logistics Working Group are still looking into potential larger scale crash spaces - predominantly church halls and community spaces, especially for the middle weekend by which most people will arrive, or to work out a solution based at the Coalition convergence sites maybe including field kitchens etc. They are in communication with Glasgow City Council who have Covid19 concerns over such use of their premises.

VENUES
You can book spaces for meeting/hotdesking/events/socialising/rehearsal space/exhibiting/office via a booking system. Stop Climate Chaos Scotland have brought together a network of local community and faith-run venues for this purpose and studio and exhibition space in shop fronts. Some of these are also being used by COP26 Coalition for their events. See:- https://climatefringe.org/cop26venues/ and their Civil Society COP Venues Map. If you are still planning a space in Glasgow to host civil society that can go online then email veronica@stopclimatechaos.scot or upload here https://climatefringe.org/events-calendar/submit-event/ .
 
MASS MOBILISATION, 5th&6th November INTERNATIONAL DoA/BIG EVENTS
Held on the middle COP weekend on Friday 5th November to include Global Climate Strike - and Saturday the 6th as a Global DoA.  40+ decentralised hubs are being organised in the UK with the aim to get a million UK people on the streets. COP26 Coalition website local hubs page . Here's a guide on "How to talk about demonstrations":- https://docs.google.com/document/d/125lvAOVSXZamCfuq92K6FeT5CWl7uyqnZyI…

Rising Tide UK argued with support from a few Scottish groups, for a mass direct-action on the last official day Friday 12th (or weekend 13/14th) to be formerly supported by the Coalition. This will probably happen anyway with or without Coalition support. Primarily tailored for the UK find the COP26 Coalition’s Global Day of Action for Climate Justice Resource Pack here. If you would like to list your protest with COP26Coalition as part of the Global Day of Action you're asked to agree to this Action Agreement.  See Comms pack here for Global Day of Action.

To find your nearest worldwide event and get in touch with the organisers check out the map here. To list an action on the map email thumble@foe.scot and you'll get  an invitation to the platform to set up an account (taking 10seconds). See resource pack under Step Two. COP26Coalition are asking for all events to coincide with the MAIN EVENTS in the UK which are:-

    Main Glasgow event: For the march, you can view the route here:- https://goo.gl/maps/Lag4ZCL3NkzA4y8V8 . Assemble: 11.30am GMT in Kelvingrove Park, Stewart Memorial Fountain. March: 12.45pm. Global Rally for Climate Justice: 3-4pm, Glasgow Green. More including Blocs here:- https://actionnetwork.org/events/glasgow-global-day-of-action-for-clima…

    Main London event: 12noon GMT Assemble Threadneadle Street etc. Bank of England, 1pm March, 3pm Global Rally for Climate Justice in Trafalgar Square. With themes of just transition and climate finance. Probable route:- Bank>QueenVicSt>Mansion House>CannonSt(past St Pauls)>Ludgate Hill>Fleet Street>Strand>Traf Sq. Downloadable flyers here:- https://www.campaigncc.org/sites/data/files/sites/data/files/Docs/cop26…; https://www.campaigncc.org/sites/data/files/sites/data/files/Docs/cop26…

INTERNATIONAL COP26COALITION ASSEMBLIES
Spanish and Portuguese Global Day of Action translations here:-  POSTERS  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ayS_g0Dk9VH37loqwAhjmKjzHFp_HkE…; CALL TO ACTION  https://docs.google.com/document/d/11sFcLL1U7JAd1pZKkuwTJWSBh_ioO_PeUoC…; . Latin America COP26 Information Meetingon Oct 18, 2021 21:00 UTC Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88659520575 . Africa Region COP26 Information Meeting October 20th, 2021 15:00 PM UTC Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89634002885  for updates on the Coalition, discussion about November mobilisations, People's Summit, Visa Support and the needed solidarity and support for international our allies.

TRADE UNIONISTS
There is now a dedicated site from the COP26 Trade Union Caucus Working Group with everything you might need to know here:- https://www.wemaketomorrow.org/about . Read more about why COP26 and climate justice is a trade union issue in their Briefing Paper here:- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F5v8J1W-mDwC1hyUpOEhLNCQLyiSwSpR/view?…; also this Google Slides presentation here

PEOPLE'S ALTERNATIVE SUMMIT FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE & ASSEMBLIES
Outside the official COP space this will be launched at the Main Events above, lasting for 4 days starting on Sunday 7th to Wednesday 10th November, across Glasgow and online as a hybrid event.  A special event will be held on day1 of COP 31st October. The People’s Summit is a global convergence space for climate justice analysis, visions, solutions and strategies. Sessions will hosted by a wide range of organisations, with topics ranging from subvertising to saving the Amazon and indigenous rights, from farming and soil carbon to the military's contribution to climate change. You can register and explore the programme here:- https://cop26coalition.org/peoples-summit/ .  Comms pack to promote the People’s Summit here:- https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V1RdgEDSQc7mdEZQ4BIfMffrR-MpDuzcTes… . People's Assemblies outside the official COP space will happen from Tuesday 9th through to the end.

CIVIL SOCIETY CONVERGENCE SPACES & VENUE KITCHENS
Will be available Monday 1st to Friday 12th November – creative hubs across Glasgow where activists can gather and connect together, warm up with food and drink, book out meeting rooms and socialise in the evening, including art space to create art, banners, action props and stuff. There is still an opportunity for groups to take over kitchens in venues and cook for people using the space and attending events, if you might be interested in this please contact tami@stopclimatechaos.scot

OTHER EVENTS
    Stop Climate Chaos Scotland has created the Climate Fringe website: https://cop26coalition.org/event-directory/taking-action-now/  for organisations to list their events and activities in the run up and during COP.
    Plus https://cop26coalition.org/glasgow/whats-happening/
    The COY 16 (Conference of Youth) https://ukcoy16.org/ , Glasgow: 28th-31st Oct 2021 and possibly beyond.
    See what happened at the Climate Camp Scotland Mossmorran Action Weekend here: https://www.climatecampscotland.com/
    DoA on 15th-22nd November from groups that signed the Glasgow Agreement - Peoples' Climate Commitment, will take on Total all over the world in decentralised direct actions and acts of non-cooperation. Read the call to action here: https://glasgowagreement.net/en/collapse_total/

COP26 DAY BY DAY SUMMARY

Sun 31st Oct - First day of Climate COP26. 1pm GMT Opening People's Movement Assembly, including visual representation of "the excluded". Hybrid Digital and In-person event with reps from global movements highlighting the gross inequalities and inaccessibility of the COP, at Adelaides District, Glasgow. Procedural Opening of COP26 Negotiations.

Mon 1st Nov - "Raise the Banners for Climate Justice" actions (literally banner drops/displays fixed to last for COP26 entirety) - Engagement from community and civil society - a cross movement action to cover the entirety of Glasgow and beyond in justice banners and messaging. Hang a banner calling for climate justice outside your house or workplace. You can also send your banner to be displayed in Glasgow. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QWeQlqXIrRIlYztG8izRDRPw3OVMO40cxp-… . Civil Society Hub Convergence Spaces open, remaining so until Friday 12th Nov. COP26 - 1st session of "World Leaders" Summit.

Tues 2nd Nov - 5pm GMT Movement Assembly - Reports on the negotiations, discussion on relevant topics and announcements at Adelaides District, Glasgow. COP26 - World Leaders Summit.

Wed 3rd Nov - 5pm GMT Movement Assembly - Reports on the negotiations, discussion on relevant topics and announcements at Adelaides District, Glasgow. COP26 - Finance.

Thur 4th Nov - 5pm GMT Movement Assembly - Reports on the negotiations, discussion on relevant topics and announcements at Adelaides District, Glasgow. Global trade union movement assembly in Glasgow. COP26 - Energy.

Fri 5th Nov - Global Climate Strike planned including called by among others Fridays For Future Scotland and some Trade Unions as part of COP26Coalition 48-hour Global Days of Action. 11am GMT Assemble Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow. COP26 - Youth & Empowerment.

Sat 6th Nov - Actions & Mass mobilisations as part of COP26Coalition Global Days of Action. (see above for more)

    Main event in Glasgow including blocs for various groupings:  Assemble: 11.30am GMT in Kelvingrove Park, Stewart Memorial Fountain. March: 12.45pm. Global Rally for Climate Justice: 3-4pm, Glasgow Green.
    London event:12noon GMT Assemble at Threadneadle Street etc. Bank of England, 1pm March, 3pm Global Rally for Climate Justice in Trafalgar Square. Probable route:- Bank>QueenVicSt>Mansion House>CannonSt(past St Pauls)>Ludgate Hill>Fleet Street>Strand>Traf Sq.
    Decentralised hub event mobilisations (around the world and) in UK: 12noon GMT Assemble, 1pm March, 3pm Global Rally for Climate Justice.

Launch of Hybrid People's Summit at 7pm GMT a Global Digital Rally for Climate Justice with footage from rallies across the world and speakers from the Global South and frontline communities. 8.30PM Social events - Music and performances at Venues across Glasgow. COP26 - Nature.

Sun 7th Nov - First day proper of Hybrid People's Summit for Climate Justice programme with digital, live streamed and in person events in Glasgow. 5pm Movement Assembly - Reports on the negotiations, discussion on relevant topics and announcements in Adelaides District, Glasgow and live streamed. COP26 - Finance.

Mon 8th Nov - Second day of Hybrid People's Summit for Climate Justice programme with digital, live streamed and in person events in Glasgow. 5pm Movement Assembly - Reports on the negotiations, discussion on relevant topics and announcements in Adelaides District, Glasgow and live streamed. COP26 - Adaptation and Loss and Damage.

Tues 9th Nov - Third day of Hybrid People's Summit for Climate Justice programme with digital, live streamed and in person events in Glasgow. 5pm Movement Assembly - Reports on the negotiations, discussion on relevant topics and announcements in Adelaides District, Glasgow and live streamed. COP26 - Gender & Science and Innovation and also 2nd session of "World Leaders" Summit.

Wed 10th Nov - Final day of Hybrid People's Summit for Climate Justice programme with digital, live streamed and in person events in Glasgow. 5pm Movement Assembly - Reports on the negotiations, discussion on relevant topics and announcements in Adelaides District, Glasgow and live streamed. Saro-Wiwa Day 26th anniversary - where's that Shell garage? COP26 - Transport.

Thurs 11th Nov - People's Movement Assembly 5pm - Reports on the negotiations, discussion on relevant topics and announcements in Adelaides District, Glasgow and live streamed. COP26 - Cities, Regions and Built Environments.

Fri 12th Nov - Official end of COP26. People's Movement Assembly (& Concert/Gig/TBC closing event).

Sat 13th Nov - COP26 run-over day. Be prepared!
Sun 14th Nov - COP26 run-over day?

Duration - Have fun! Its been known to rain a bit in Glasgow so bring waterproofs ;-p