The REAP team and partners were active throughout COP26, held in Glasgow from 2 to 13 November 2021. This page summarises some of the goals and outcomes from this conference.
Climate change is creating chaos around the world. From tropical storms in the Caribbean, to floods across Western Europe, to droughts in southern Africa and wildfires in the US, extreme weather events are stealing lives, destroying livelihoods and separating families.
However, we are better equipped to face these events than ever before. We have access to excellent climate information, risk modelling and communications systems; all of which can save lives and protect economies when introduced early. Yet despite this, there is still siloed and insufficient provision for early action and climate adaptation.
We need more decisive leadership and decision-making by national and local governments, institutional donors and other authorities.
Lessons from COP26: “Battered, bruised, but alive” – How COP26 was a turning point for early action (by Gavin White)
As COP26 wraps up after months of preparation, now is a good time to reflect on the progress of the early warning and early action agenda. What do the often opposing assessments of the great success (or resounding failure) of the climate negotiations mean for adaptation actors? Were additional resources committed for early action? Were there any other noteworthy announcements? Where do we go from here? Read more
About REAP and COP26: Wha
t we hope to achieve and why
The world has started to see the benefits of early action, but there is much more that needs to be done, and done fast, if we are to save lives and protect economies. COP26 offers REAP an opportunity to bring together its growing network of partners and to use our collective influence to persuade others of the importance and benefits of early action. Read more
Information for REAP partners: How you can get involved with COP26
COP26 offers REAP an opportunity to bring together its growing network of partners and to use our collective influence to persuade others of the importance and benefits of early action. Read more
Information for journalists: How REAP can help you cover COP26
A lot of media attention has rightly been given to the reduction of carbon emissions. But this is only half the story. There is another important part of the picture which is needed if we are to protect the world against the effects of climate change – how to reduce the impact of the extreme weather events we know we’re going to experience. Read more
Here you can read about the latest COP26-related News & Events
Global leaders pledge support for risk-informed early action
On Monday 8 November, the Governments of Finland, Sweden the UK and US made public declarations to support risk-informed early action that will help make one billion people safer from climate-related disasters by 2025. Find out the full story here.
Advance press notice: Global leaders to pledge support for risk-informed early action
At an event on Monday 8 November at COP26, leaders from around the world will make public declarations to support risk-informed early action that will help make one billion people safer from disaster by 2025. Also at the event, a panel discussion focused on the impact of risk-informed early action on climate change will take place between high-profile representatives from the FCDO, UN, Malawian government, Kenyan Red Cross and Climate Vulnerable Forum. Read more
EARLY ACTION PROGRAMME: We are working with the Anticipation Hub to document all COP26 events related to early warning and early action. Find the full listing here.
EVENT: Welcome to 2025: Where early action is the default
COP26 - UK Pavilion
Focusing on current examples of good practice from around the world, this event will demonstrate the difference that risk-informed early action partnerships can make when organisations work together.
Livestream available here.
BLOG: While climate change impacts are inevitable, disasters are not – as long as early action is taken (by Ben Webster)
It’s becoming increasingly feasible to predict when and where a major weather event is going to happen, so why aren’t more governments taking early action to stop loss of life and livelihoods? Read more