Policy must follow from Cop26 talks

With Glasgow at the epicentre of crucial climate discussions, all eyes turned north. Would Boris be leading world leaders to agreement? Would Biden break new ground for the USA?

The Lancashire delegation to COP26 was strong, with E+R Group, Advanced Bacterial Sciences, and Fern Innovation from the RedCAT stable of green tech innovation and grant funding support travelling north, along with Lancashire low carbon adoption leaders at different ends of the size scale – Senator and Crystal Doors.

The East Lancashire Chamber, Chamber Low Carbon and RedCAT teams held court at the British Chambers of Commerce Pavilion and International Chambers Climate Mission, based at the City of Glasgow College.

But will the gathering make a genuine difference? As Sir David Attenborough says, is it almost too late? Will long distant commitment dates nevertheless start the ball rolling and show the world a real global commitment to make the change?

We cannot afford pretty rhetoric and political commitments in the camera lens must lead to action when the politicians are safely back home in their nations’ arms.

Policy commitments are also needed from our own government. Yes Boris - to do more than just recycle! Changes to planning, to procurement, real energy policies, and spending on power and charging infrastructure to boot.

Climate change is coming, whether we like it or not, and we’ll need to adapt, but how far and how fast the change depends on what we do now. And time is running out….

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