Alok Sharma, President for COP26, hosted an International Conference of significance on climate change to protect our world in Glasgow, Scotland, over the last two weeks. Revised proposal 4 to follow as defined and stamped: Glasgow Climate Compact…” New Global Agreement – it is so decided”. Congratulations! World leaders have decided and agreed despite phasing it down-coal.
COP 26 progresses integrations and action.
United Nations, Family, Friends, Colleagues across our world, A Cleaner Healthier More Prosperous World-inclusive of 200 Nations, Peoples, Nature, and life enhancing moments…for tomorrow to exist. Essentially Accessible, Inclusive, Disability embracing One World, 1 Blood Colour.
Our world embraces, every country, every community, every business, every park, every field and every river & stream, every single individual and creature in nature is touched, impacted, and affected across every sense and sensibility, as well as measure across the face of the earth.
As Her Majesty the Queen stated: “It is the hope of many that the legacy of this summit – written in history books yet to be printed – will describe you as the leaders who did not pass up the opportunity; and that you answered the call of those future generations. That you left this conference as a community of nations with a determination, a desire, and a plan, to address the impact of climate change; and to recognise that the time for words has now moved to the time for action. Of course, the benefits of such actions will not be there to enjoy for all of us here today: we none of us will live forever. But we are doing this not for ourselves but for our children and our children’s children, and those who will follow in their footsteps.”
We have taken for granted our accessibility and exposure to the world but if we are not careful climate change and carbon emissions must be kept to under 1.5 degrees, an effort to carbon neutral. Over 15% of the world with talent has a disability. COP26, eventually, acknowledged the importance of Accessibility; Accessibility was an issue at COP26 for Israel Able Minister with Disability. Climate change must happen to make the world more accessible for us all-The World is our oyster.
A lack of Accessibility at COP26
An Israeli government minister has received an apology from Boris Johnson and the organisers of Cop26 after she could not attend the summit on Monday due to a lack of wheelchair accessibility. Karine Elharrar, Israel’s minister of energy and water resources, described how she was denied entry to the summit because as a wheelchair user she was unable to access the Glasgow venue, criticising the refusal to accommodate her as “outrageous”. Elharrar, who has muscular dystrophy, waited for two hours outside after organisers refused to let her enter the compound in the vehicle in which she had arrived, she said.
Her office said she was eventually offered a shuttle transport to the summit area, but the shuttle was not wheelchair-accessible, forcing her to return to her hotel in Edinburgh. She challenged, appropriately “I came to Cop26 to meet with my counterparts around the world and promote a common struggle in the climate crisis. It is sad that the UN, which promotes accessibility for people with disabilities, in 2021, does not provide accessibility to its events.”
Johnson later apologised personally to Elharrar, who thanked the Prime Minister for his “quick intervention on this unfortunate incident” and called it a “learning opportunity for all of us in the importance of accessibility for all”. Cop26 organisers tweeted: “Regarding minister Elharrar’s experience at the entry point yesterday, this was a genuine mistake and we have apologised for that. We are pleased to see her in attendance at COP26 today. Cop26 must be inclusive and accessible to all, and the venue is designed to facilitate that.”
Elharrar told BBC News she had gone into the climate summit on Tuesday “very easily” and it was “quite a different experience”.
Earlier the UK environment secretary, George Eustice, said: “We deeply regret that incident.” He added there appeared to have been a miscommunication and organisers had not been aware of Elharrar’s requirements in advance and so had not made the right provisions at the particular entrance she was coming to.
“I know that at most of the other entrances, wheelchair access is there. It was because she came to an entrance where they didn’t have that provision,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, adding that action should have been taken to resolve the issue.
A spokesperson from the Israeli embassy in London told BBC News the country’s delegation to the summit had “communicated over the past several weeks all the details about the minister’s requirements”.
The UK ambassador to Israel, Neil Wigan, tweeted that he had apologised “deeply and sincerely” the minister. “We want a Cop summit that is welcoming and inclusive to everyone,” he wrote.
The Foreign Office minister James Cleverly tweeted “I am deeply disappointed and frustrated that minister Karine Elharrar could not access Cop today. The Cop venue is designed to be accessible for all. I have spoken to the minister about this and I look forward to meeting her tomorrow.” Elharrar told Israel’s Channel 12 news: “The only way they said I could come in was to walk on foot for almost a kilometre, or to board a shuttle which was not wheelchair-accessible.”
The Queen, HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duke of Cambridge spoke at COP26 in aid of action to deliver zero carbon emissions and reduce climate change, in summary: “That you left this conference as a community of nations with a determination, a desire, and a plan, to address the impact of climate change; and to recognise that the time for words has now moved to the time for action. Of course, the benefits of such actions will not be there to enjoy for all of us here today: we none of us will live forever. But we are doing this not for ourselves but for our children and our children’s children, and those who will follow in their footsteps.”
Visit specific links where you can read or see their total speeches:
What is COP26 and Why is it Happening?
The world is warming because of emissions from fossil fuels used by humans, like coal, oil, and gas.
Extreme weather events linked to climate change -including heatwaves, floods, and forest fires – are intensifying. The past decade was the warmest on record and governments agree urgent collective action is needed. For COP26, 200 countries have been asked for their plans to cut emissions by 2030. COP stands for “Conference of the Parties”, and this is the 26th annual summit. Under the Paris Agreement of 2015, countries were asked to make changes to keep global warming “well below” 2C – and to try to aim for 1.5C – in order to prevent a climate catastrophe. The goal is to keep cutting emissions until they reach net zero in 2050.
What is the Announcement & Why it Matters?
The latest draft asks countries to reveal their plans to massively reduce greenhouse gas emissions at a much faster speed than previously and asks developed nations to provide at least double the amount of adaptation finance they give to those countries already suffering the effects of climate change.
This text should form the basis for an agreement that all countries plan to sign at the end of COP26 (although it will not be legally binding). It will set the global agenda on climate change for the next decade. Details are likely to change between now and the final agreement as negotiations continue.
US-CHINA COOPERATION – What is the Announcement & Why it Matters?
In a surprise announcement, the US and China pledged to boost climate co-operation over the next decade.
Steps were agreed on a range of issues, including:
- methane emissions
- the transition to clean energy
- de-carbonisation
The joint declaration says both sides will “recall their firm commitment to work together” to achieve the 1.5C temperature goal set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement.
As the world’s two biggest CO2 emitters, an agreement between the US and China to is seen as critical in keeping the 1.5C temperature rise threshold within reach. China has previously been reluctant to tackle its domestic coal emissions in the short term – so this statement is seen as recognition of the need for urgent action.
Does it go far enough?
Organisations including Greenpeace International have welcomed the joint declaration. However, its executive director, Jennifer Morgan, also warned that both countries needed to show greater commitment to reaching climate goals.
“Ultimately their statement falls short of the call by the climate vulnerable countries demanding that nations come back to the table every year with greater ambition until the 1.5C gap is closed,” she said.
- The reality USA & China Deal an upside for COP26. USA Biden & China’s Xi Virtual Meeting 15th November 2021 to reinforce.
- China’s climate policy matters to us all as the largest nation and the world’s greatest factory.
TREES – What is the Announcement & Why it Matters?
Leaders from more than 100 world countries, representing about 85% of the world’s forests, promised to stop deforestation by 2030.
Trees can absorb vast amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) – one of the key greenhouse gases adding to global warming. So, ending deforestation is seen as a vital way to tackle climate change.
METHANE – What is the Announcement & Why it Matters?
A scheme to cut 30% of current methane emissions by 2030 has been agreed by more than 100 countries.
Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases and is currently responsible for a third of human-generated warming. The majority comes from a range of activities, such as cattle production and waste disposal.
COAL – What is the Announcement & Why it Matters?
More than 40 countries – which include major coal-users including Poland, Vietnam and Chile agreed to shift away from coal.
Coal is the single biggest contributor to climate change and a hot spot driven by India. Although progress has been made in reducing its use, it still produced about 37% of the world’s electricity in 2019. This continues to be a global challenge in global terms, the greatest challenge to carbon free zero emissions.
MONEY – What is the Announcement & Why it Matters?
Some 450 financial organisations, who between them control $130tn, agreed to back “clean” technology, such as renewable energy, and direct finance away from fossil fuel-burning industries.
The initiative is an attempt to involve private companies in meeting net zero targets, and to commit them to providing finance for green technology.
What is COP26 and why is it happening?
- 1. The world is warming because of emissions from fossil fuels used by humans, like coal, oil and gas.
- 2. Extreme weather events linked to climate change – including heatwaves, floods and forest fires – are intensifying. The past decade was the warmest on record and governments agree urgent collective action is needed.
- 3. For COP26, 200 countries were asked for their plans to cut emissions by 2030. COP stands for “Conference of the Parties”, and this has been the 26th annual summit.
- 4. Under the Paris Agreement of 2015, countries were asked to make changes to keep global warming “well below” 2C – and to try to aim for 1.5C – in order to prevent a climate catastrophe.
- 5. The goal is to keep cutting emissions until they reach net zero in 2050.
COP26 – Accessibility & Disability Justice
- The COP26 Coalition considers issues around accessibility seriously and aims to provide inclusive and friendly spaces.
- We are aware that the needs of people with disabilities and medical conditions are often neglected in activist organisations and spaces.
- We are also aware that people with disabilities are more at risk from the looming societal collapse tied to the climate emergency than many other social groups.
- As such, we believe that including people with disabilities and their voices in the activities aimed at preventing and mitigating the climate emergency is essential.
- We believe COP26 can be an opportunity to set higher standards, thus, improving the accessibility of future activist events.
- To ensure this, we have appointed a designated Accessibility and Disability Coordinator who will work hard with her volunteer team in the upcoming days and weeks.
What is Kaleidoscope Group Doing to Promote Talent & How Does it Link to COP26
Kaleidoscope Group embraces COP26 sentiments and summary goals, welcoming our Accessible one world, 1 blood colour, naturally and sustainably approach. We want to ensure our accessible world for all, empowering talent and ambition, through innovation and significant changes across every nation, every government, every company, every family, every community across 200 countries, to protect our world for tomorrow to exist for us all, more naturally and sustainably.
Kaleidoscope Group integrate 4 Divisions:
Kaleidoscope Group and The Kaleidoscope Foundation is a disability inclusive organisation – empowering talent and ambition for ability with disability. We embrace and promote change to enhance life for a significant percentage of the National and Global Population.
The benefits presented through disability in government, life and business added value affects consumers, employees, and across all the communities. Finally, we see many practical next steps and considerations for the future with and through disability inclusion. We look forward to building a more inclusive and accessible future with you, embracing ability, empowering ambition, and talent.
At Kaleidoscope Group we have teams of able people who assist in the development, investment, mentoring and advising of talent, which are all key sectors which contribute to society and the power of “Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion.”
Kaleidoscope Group and The Kaleidoscope Foundation is a disability inclusive group & organisation – empowering talent and ambition for ability with disability. We embrace and promote change to enhance life for a significant percentage of the National and Global Population.
- Kr- Kaleidoscope Recruitment empowering talent. A centre of Excellence for recruiting people with disabilities.
- Ki- Kaleidoscope Investment empowering ideas. Invest in business ideas that originate from disabled people and help them become successful.
- Ka- Kaleidoscope Advisory empowering knowledge. Embed and embrace disability inclusion and ability in companies.
- Kf- The Kaleidoscope Foundation empowering lives. Offering grants of up to 10,000 pounds.
At Kaleidoscope Group “Our vision is to help shape a world where we see no difference in ‘different’ and where every disabled person is given a fair opportunity to realise their full potential and find purpose’.
At Kaleidoscope Group we embrace and empower talent with Disability to the benefit of Community, Society, Country, and the World. Our world is only as accessible as the world defines, through climate change impacts.