Many believe that the COP 26 global climate conference — which will take place in Glasgow, Scotland from November 1-12 — will be the most consequential such event since 2015, when the Paris Climate Agreement was signed. The hope is that the nations of the world will commit to accelerating their carbon emissions reduction targets to levels that are most likely to avoid the worst case scenarios detailed in the recent IPCC report, released in August, 2021. Athletes, who face a myriad of unique challenges related to climate change, have not historically taken part in previous COPs. This year will be different.
That is because over 150 athletes, sports teams as well as sports-adjacent organizations, and thought leaders have endorsed the COP 26 Sports Community Manifesto, developed by EcoAthletes, the nonprofit that “inspires and coaches athletes to lead climate action”.