Our highlights from COP26

With COP26 now over, we’ve wrapped up some of the event’s highlights – here’s our take on the event that put Glasgow on the map and played host to some critical discussions and international commitments, many powered by the unique orange fizz that is Irn Bru.

• GREEN POLITICS ON THE RISE… COP26 was aimed as much at British voters as it was international audiences and was intended to convince the electorate that the Government is leading the world in delivering an ambitious (but pragmatic) switch to net zero. As with May 2021’s regional elections, the current administration is hoping voters connect green with growth and remember this as a high point when they next head to the ballot box.

• WALKING THE WALK – Private jets taken by billionaires and key public figures, while lecturing individuals on the climate crisis, was, let’s face it, not a great look. Yet, the one positive conversation to stem from this issue was the importance of moving forward ‘guilt-free aviation’. And it was ZeroAvia that led the charge at COP26 by making the case for hydrogen-powered aviation as THE silver bullet solution to decarbonising air travel. Follow this link to learn more.

• IRN BRU IS AOK FOR AOC – While inevitably the focus is on the climate debate at COP26, it’s also nice to see it was a venue for cultural exchange, such as this moment in which Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was introduced to the infamous orange nectar. It became quite a talking point for delegates, with opinion firmly split, but a great case study in the power of digital for politicians like AOC to humanise themselves, at a time when trust in public servants is at an all-time low.

• GAFFES GALORE – It beggars belief that in today’s digital age, with tech solutions designed to make the execution of events a breeze, they are powerless when it comes to human error. COP26 may have put Glasgow on the map but many couldn’t even wrap their heads around the location of the conference. Even Obama, usually a slick and polished orator, mixed up Scotland with Ireland. And who can forget Australian PM Scott Morrison’s Freudian slip, where he misrepresented tackling climate change as ‘tackling China’ (which went viral). It’s an age-old piece of advice, but when it comes to any form of public appearance – be prepared, or prepare to fail…

• GOOD COP, BAD COP…? It was interesting to witness the sheer volume of analysis around whether COP was all it was cracked up to be, so early on in the event. Concerns arose that some countries were downplaying the scale of the 1.5 degrees challenge and Greta dismissed the whole affair as being “blah blah blah”. Following a turbulent two weeks of negotiations in Glasgow, the Glasgow Climate Pact was finally struck and became the headline outcome. As for whether the conference was good, bad, or blah, at the very least it served as a platform to highlight some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Governments alone can’t solve these issues – we all have a part to play. As ever, success will be defined by doing…

At Madano, we’re lucky enough to work with organisations who are using technology, engineering and science to shape the future of sustainability. To talk to us about your strategic communications challenge, please get in touch at [email protected].