‘Inside and Outside’: Perspectives on COP26

Inside COP26

Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, Philanthropy Manager in the School of Geosciences at the University of Edinburgh, is attending COP26 as part of the University of Edinburgh ‘Observer’ delegation. Over the past two days, Sanne has been attending events within the UN Blue Zone.

The Inner Blue Zone is beyond the security cordon and this is where Ministers, accredited government officials, individuals and organisations will enter into international negotiations over climate change actions and agreements.

Within the Blue Zone, each country or territory has a pavilion where they showcase what they are doing on climate change and offer programmes of exhibitions, speakers, and receptions.

In this short video, Sanne takes us into the Blue Zone, walks us through parts of it and captures conversations with Portia Adu-Mensah and Josh Edem Kojo Dorse; two Ghanaian youth delegates who share their aims for participation in COP26.

Outside COP26

Whilst a lot of attention is focused on the negotiations and discussions happening within COP26, especially within the Blue Zone, there are also important gatherings and conversations happening within the Green Zone and outside COP26.

The Green Zone is the official civil society area offering organisations who can afford it space for their own ‘pavilion’, event or exhibition to share their stance on climate change. Whilst the Green Zone does not form part of the official COP programme, it is ticketed and does attract media attention. Action is also happening directly outside of the main COP26 areas and within communities across Glasgow and Scotland.

This short video from the COP26 Coalition a ‘UK-based civil society coalition of groups and individuals mobilising around climate justice during COP26’ captures insights from inside and outside COP26 as protesters demand action from world leaders attending the conference.