Global Justice Now at COP26 – where to find us
Welcome to Glasgow!
A city which gained great wealth from the tobacco and sugar trades – and the slavery associated with that – Glasgow also has a more recent history of political and working-class radicalism, from the Scottish insurrection of 1820 to the anti-war activism, rent strikes and workers’ strikes of ‘Red Clydeside’, to the Radical Independence campaign of 2014.
As you’ll know, the COP26 UN climate talks are on here in Glasgow (at the Scottish Events Centre) from Sunday 31 October to Friday 12 November.
In line with Glasgow’s history of political radicalism though, there are loads of other events, exhibitions, debates and protests demanding climate justice going on across Glasgow at the same time.
Here are some things we think you might be interested in, plus some general information to help you during your visit.
Global Justice Now activist hub
72 Berkeley Street, Glasgow G3 7DS
The Global Justice Now activist hub will be open at the following times:
- 6pm-10pm on Thursday November 4
- 10am – 8.30pm Friday November 5
- 6pm – 10pm Saturday November 6
During any of those time you’re welcome to drop in for a tea and coffee, and to use it to meet others. There are also a few timetabled activities which you’re welcome to come to:
Thursday 4 November
- 6.30pm onwards: Youth network meetup and banner making
- 8pm: Supporter orientation + political update on COP26
Friday 5 November
- 10am-11.30am: Pre youth-strike demo prep
- 2pm-5pm: Banner making
- 5pm: Global Justice Now supporter and activist orientation (for familiarising ourselves with Glasgow, updates about the COP and discussing why we are all here)
- 6pm-7.30pm: WORKSHOP:
Beyond COP26 to System Change? Tactical steps towards a just transition. Discussion with interventions from Global Justice Now, ATTAC France, ATTAC Spain and others. All welcome.
- 8pm: Final quick supporter orientation
Saturday 6 November
- 6pm – 10pm social with international allies
Youth climate strike march
Friday 5 November, 11am Prince of Wales Bridge, Kelvingrove Park. Marching to George Square for speeches and music.
There are more details here.
COP26 civil society coalition events
Global Justice Now is part of a broad coalition of NGOs, trade unions, community campaigns, youth groups, migrant and racial justice networks and many others highlighting the need for climate justice and solidarity with the global south. There’s a lot being organised by the coalition during the two weeks of the COP. Here are some things that you might be particularly interested in:
March for Climate Justice: Saturday 6 November
Meet at the Park Gate entrance to Kelvingrove Park at midday.
The march will go from Kelvingrove Park to Glasgow Green where there will be speeches and music. Global Justice Now will be marching in the climate justice bloc. Look out for the Global Justice Now placards and banners.
People’s Summit for Climate Justice: 7-10 November
This will be a massive and vibrant festival of events across Glasgow and online. Global Justice Now is collaborating with international allies to organise four events.
People and Nature vs The UNFCCC: A people’s tribunal
9.30am-1.15pm, Sunday 7 November. Glasgow Film Theatre
Corporate courts = climate chaos
11.45am-1.15pm, Sunday 7 November (online only)
Reparations, Debt and Climate Justice
4.15pm-5.45pm, Sunday 7 November. Centre for Contemporary Arts
Rally: This global economy is killing us How the climate crisis is a crisis of capitalism – and what we do about it
6.30pm-8pm, Monday 8 November. Glasgow Film Theatre
More details about all of these events here.
The full programme for the People’s Summit is here.
Climate Justice Movement Assemblies: 1-12 November
5pm each day at Adelaide Place hub, 209 Bath St, Glasgow G2 4HZ
Each day there will be a get together with activists from across the global climate justice movement where you can hear the latest updates from inside the climate talks, plus presentations, discussions and debates on a different climate-related theme each day. Global Justice Now will be hosting the movement assembly on 3 November, when the theme will be economic justice. If you want to go on any day you must register.
Find out more and register here.
March Against Climate Colonialism
Global Justice Now’s youth network, in collaboration with COP26 coalition and the Free West Papua campaign, has organised a March Against Climate Colonialism. Join us:
Where: 83 Argyle Street, Glasgow
When: Sunday 7 November, 1:30pm.
The Free West Papua Campaign is a Global South – led liberation movement by and for the people of West Papua, who are impacted by climate colonialism every day.
We’ll be targeting several of the pillars of modern day climate colonialism, and stopping outside for speeches from Nadia Whittome MP and other inspiring activists from around the world. There will also be a samba band marching with us!
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Finding places to eat and drink
There are loads of vegan, vegetarian and community based cafes in Glasgow. Check out this map for lots of ideas
Accessibility
Accessibility information for the march on November 6 and the events in the People’s Summit can be found here.
Covid-19
We need to work together to protect the communities of Glasgow as well as people coming from countries where populations are still vulnerable to Covid.
By law in Scotland, everyone aged 12 and over must wear a face covering, unless exempt, in most indoor public spaces. This will be the case in our activist hub and also at all the COP26 coalition events, including the November 6 march (where 1m physical distancing will also be in place).
For the People’s Summit events: You must take a lateral flow test, register your test online on the NHS website and present confirmation (text/email) at one of the coalition’s Registration Sites to receive a wristband for that day. This wristband will enable access to any of the indoor events.
November 6 march: All attendees should do your own Lateral Flow Test at home before attending, however you will not require a wristband to attend so registration is not necessary.
There’s more detailed information here.
If you’re at all unsure what to do then please contact one of the Global Justice Now staff members (see below).
Global Justice Now staff contact details (just for emergencies)
If you need help, please call Jane Herbstritt on 07934 249957
What Global Justice Now is calling for at the COP
Radical emissions cuts are needed, with rich countries acting first and fastest to account for their historic emissions.
Global south communities should be front and centre in negotiations, but many have been frozen out from Glasgow, making this the least accessible COP ever. They are bearing the brunt of a crisis they didn’t cause. Unprecedented debt cancellation and climate finance is crucial.
We can’t hand over control of decarbonisation to the same financial institutions and fossil fuel giants that created this crisis. We have no more time for corporate greenwashing. Green investment must be public and must set up new structures that empower communities, not big business executives.
All of the lofty pledges over the next two weeks will be for nothing if fossil fuel companies can continue to use corporate courts in trade deals to sue governments into a state of climate paralysis. The kind of trade deals the UK is pursuing are disastrous for the planet and must be stopped.
