The UN Climate Summit (COP26) will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Glasgow was chosen by the UK to host COP26 due to its experience, commitment to sustainability, and world-class facilities. Cities4Forests will be hosting several in-person and virtual events at COP26, as well as several demonstrations of the Partner Forest Program. Learn more and register below.

November 2

How Cities are Inspiring Nations, Companies, and Financiers to Embrace Forest Action Tuesday, November 2, 2021 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM GMT This Cities4Forests event will showcase how city leadership on forest conservation is inspiring nations, states, companies, and financial institutions to invest in nature for climate, biodiversity, and human prosperity and well-being. Leading global actors in government, business, and finance will respond to the Call to Action by reiterating and enhancing their commitments to nature-based solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation. The event will feature Mayors demonstrating creative city leadership on forest and nature issues, as well as high-level representatives from national governments, businesses, and investors. The event will be hosted at the “Nature Zone” pavilion in the COP26 Blue Zone (badges required) and will be streamed online (open to all). Register here.

November 3

Wood at Work 2021, Roundtable on sustainable timber innovation. November 3, 1-5pm GMT, Construction Scotland Innovation Centre & online This year Wood at Work, Cities4Forests, and other like-minded organizations have co-created a “Sustainable Timber District” for COP26, which is hosted at the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre. Wood at Work 2021 will happen here, with guided tours of CSIC’s “homegrown mass timber” manufacturing facility, a live WoodMizer sawmill demonstration, our Partner Forest Boardwalk, and refreshments from our Partner Forests Coffee Truck. The event will be live-streamed for those wishing to attend virtually. Our COP setting provides an opportunity for a new level of international viewpoints, short presentations from the far corners of wood innovation, and a roundtable discussion on the global potential of wood for low-carbon construction and improved forest stewardship. As we bring together international leaders in sustainable forestry, urbanism, and construction we will dig deeper into the most pressing challenges and opportunities for wood within the “climate emergency” declared by so many cities. Register here.

November 6

Committing to nature: Nature based-solutions for climate-positive cities November 6, 2:30-5:30 pm GMT, Glasgow City Council Chambers This event will be hosted by Glasgow City Council in partnership with Cities4Forests, Dark Matter Labs, and ICLEI. This in-person live-streamed event will present the cases and commitments of Glasgow and many other cities as leaders in the charge to incorporate nature-based solutions in their climate action plans to help achieve their environmental, social, and economic goals. The event will engage mayors and other important political stakeholders in a conversation on forests and nature-based solutions both near and far. Join us to hear how cities acting together to invest in forests and nature-based solutions can help us ensure a better future for our planet. Register here. November 10 Financing innovative nature-based solutions in cities: Lessons learned for the next generation of urban NBS projects November 10, 15:00 GMT, Hosted online The event will focus on how to leverage mechanisms such as the Natural Capital Financing Facility (NCFF), to support projects that use NBS for climate adaptation and/or biodiversity benefits, that generate revenues or demonstrate cost savings. And how to catalyze political, social, and economic support among city governments and urban residents to integrate inner, nearby, and faraway forests into city development plans, programs, and investments. Register here.

ONGOING EXHIBITS

Cities4Forests Partner Forest Coffee Truck is a micro-event space serving delicious food and drinks sourced directly from tropical forest communities on the front lines of conservation. Join us for a multimedia mobile food experience of coffee, chocolate, cardamom, ramon, and brazil nut. During our Community Conservation Connections sessions, we will also bring together representatives (in person and virtually) to discuss the food or drink featured from their forest region. Among the suite of other inspirational and educational events, the event will engage the Glasgow public and our tropical forest communities in conversation around food and drink that can support faraway forests.

When/Where: Nov 1-5, CSIC; Nov 7-12, Glasgow Sustainable Landing

Cities4Forests Partner Forest Boardwalk will feature wood sourced from the Carmelita,  AFISAP, and CUSTOSEL community concessions in Guatemala, and the Iwokrama community in Guyana, two of the world’s best examples of community forest management, conserving vast areas of tropical forests. The boardwalk is a demonstration of Glasgow’s Partner Forest program and will link a variety of pavilions including the Partner Forest Food Truck. Our aim is for the Partner Forest ensemble to inspire other city leaders to invest in faraway forest conservation, which has some of the greatest returns on climate investment.

When/Where: Nov 1-12, Glasgow Sustainable Landing and CSIC