United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP26)

Beginning with the historic Paris Agreement summit in 2015, the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church has sent a delegation to the Conference of Parties (COP), the annual United Nations Climate Summit. COP26, delayed a year because of the pandemic, is crucial for the effort to turn back the worst effects of climate change.

The UK hosted the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow from October 31st to November 12th, 2021.

How is climate change impacting people and places around the world, especially the most vulnerable? What is our call as Episcopalians to protect the earth, our fragile island home? This four-minute film features voices from the Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop’s Delegation to the United Nations Climate Conference COP26 in November 2021.

For opportunities to take climate action and care for God’s creation in your church or community, visit https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/creation-care/.

Announcing the Presiding Bishop’s COP26 virtual delegation

The Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop’s delegation will participate virtually at COP26 in November. As delegation members, we stand in solidarity with smaller nations, such as those in the Pacific Ocean, who already feel the leading-edge effects of climate change. We also bring our values and beliefs into the room at the COPs. The world religions hold the Earth to be sacred; we respect the rights of vulnerable populations; we have sacred paths for people to travel that lead us from disintegration to wholeness.

Finally, as delegation members, we bring what we have learned back home, to the Church. The Presiding Bishop’s delegation carefully monitors the major workstreams of the COP, such as mitigation, raising ambition, finance, adaptation, and loss and damage. Our local communities can learn from what others are doing in these important themes of climate change action around the world.

Read more about the Presiding Bishop’s Delegation in the Public Affairs Press Release, and get to know the delegates in this Delegation Slideshow.

Episcopal Church Policy Priorities for COP26

The Episcopal Church is committed to growing loving, liberating and life-giving relationships across the human family and with all of God’s creation. Our commitment to the call of Jesus has led us to engage in mitigation and right-sizing our lives as individuals and ministries, and to stand with frontline communities in laboring for environmental justice, ending environmental racism and finding a swift and just solution to the climate crisis.

Therefore, during the COP26 negotiations, we urge Parties and all other stakeholders to embrace these priorities. Read the Policy Priorities here.

Episcopal Church Events

You are warmly invited to join these Episcopal Church-hosted events. RSVP by registering at the links below. Additional events will be added leading up to the conference. If you or your church are hosting a virtual event, please let everyone know by submitting an event listing to the Episcopal News Service Events page and sharing with creation@episcopalchurch.org.

October 28th at 1 PM EDT: “Episcopal Climate Advocacy at the UN: COP26 Kick-Off with the Presiding Bishop’s Delegation” – Watch here

November 6th at 11 AM EDT: “Liturgy for Planetary Crisis: Episcopal Worship Service during COP26” – Watch here

November 12th at 2 PM EDT: “COP26 Closing Event: Report Back from the Presiding Bishop’s Delegation” – Register here

Workstream Dialogue events:

You are invited to these open discussion events, to share your thoughts on the themes, hear updates from COP26, and plan for our ongoing advocacy and action.

Ambition and NDCs – Wednesday Nov. 10th, 3 PM ET / noon PT – join here
Mitigation: Tuesday Nov. 9th at 4 PM ET / 1 PM PT – register here (Spanish interpretation available)
Adaptation: Tuesday Nov. 9th: 2 PM ET/11 AM PT – register here (Spanish interpretation available)
Climate Finance: Wednesday Nov. 10th: 10 AM ET/7 AM PT – join here:
Loss and Damage: Thursday Nov. 11th at 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT – join here

Update on accessing Inflation Reduction Act funding for renewable energy

In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law. This is the largest climate bill passed since the 1970s and there are many ways you can utilize this […]
Read more here
Grant Highlight: Episcopal Diocese of Northern California churches developing action plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030

By Bob Wohlsen Churches throughout the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California are utilizing the recommendations in their energy-efficiency assessment reports to develop action plans that will guide them to achieve […]
Read more here
Opinion: Episcopal Church Divestment from Fossil Fuels – Just Do It!

By Lella Lowe I am a member of Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Mobile, Alabama, in the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast. Deeply concerned about the climate crisis, […]
Read more here