What, where, and when is the COP26?

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. COP26 is the 26th conference held by this body and is due to take place between 1st and 12th of November 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Why is COP26 so important?

COP26 is widely seen as a crucial chance for governments around the world to reach agreements about how they will collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions to prevent catastrophic climate change. It’s vital that the people of the world speak with a resounding voice that cannot be ignored. We must also be prepared, if and when the talksfail, to show our governments that we will not be silenced.

Important legal notice

**Due to differences in the law, Scotland-specific training is required for Legal Observer and Police Liaison roles**

XR Scotland communicates with Police Scotland through designated police liaisons on behalf of groups taking action. This is to support the safety of participants during actions. We try not to glorify arrest, and we offer as much support to those taking risks as we can.

Risk of Arrest

There are lots of ways to be involved in XR without being arrested and our actions would not be possible without the many supporting roles.

Being arrested has social, legal, financial, travel, and migration implications, which are explained in our Non-violent Direct Action (NVDA) training. Usually the only people arrested at XR NVDA are those that are willing to be. However, if you participate in actions physically you do still run the risk of being arrested. We do not advise taking this risk without having NVDA training.

Affinity Groups

Participating in mass civil disobedience events with XR is done in affinity groups, who support each other to take action together. If you are not in a group already, the Affinity Group Support Network will be in touch to help you join or form a new group.