18 September will mark the start of the largest event for climate and nature ever seen in the UK, with thousands of events up and down the country happening to celebrate how communities are taking action on climate change. Organised by The Climate Coalition and our 130 strong membership (including Triodos Bank UK), the week will see everything from concerts to community stalls to cabarets (and that’s just the C’s!), bringing together businesses, faith groups, sports clubs, unions, universities and many more.

The reason for such a spectacle is simple; in less than two months’ time, the UK will be hosting the biggest international summit our shores have seen in a generation. Known as COP26, the event will see world leaders and negotiators from around the world descend on Glasgow, with the outcomes decided there playing a critical role in tackling climate change over the coming decade and beyond. As hosts, the UK has a huge role to play in shaping these discussions. It’s an opportunity we must seize with both hands.

But to be credible hosts at COP, we must lead by example. We must be global climate champions, and deliver plans that are consistent with a 1.5C degree world. Though positive steps have been taken, there is still much to be done before the 31st of October. We’re calling on the government to:

• Stop new fossil fuel projects at home and abroad, and make all UK finance decisions support your climate commitments
• Urgently rescue carbon stores like ancient peat and woodland and set strict targets in law to begin to reverse nature loss by 2030
• Replace COVID job losses by investing to create 1.8 million green jobs in renewable energy, green homes, clean transport and nature protection in the next 3 years.

Join us in September to show decision-makers that people from all walks of life are stepping up to take action on climate change – and we need them to step up too. There are many ways that you can get involved and show up for your world. From activities you can do at home, to checking our map to see what events are happening in your area, to emailing your MP and making sure they know how critical COP26 is. It’s an opportunity we can’t afford to let slip.