What is COP26, and what does it have to do with Afghanistan?

Climate change is considered one of the most pressing issues of our time, affecting all parts of the globe, irrespective of borders. This year, the UK is hosting the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31st October – 12th November 2021. The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

With the current crisis in Afghanistan unfolding against the backdrop of the climate crisis and corresponding natural disasters, and with COP26 now just around the corner, we're highlighting the need to protect and promote climate action in Afghanistan.

Despite contributing very little to greenhouse gases - with the average Afghan producing 0.2 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, compared to nearly 16 metric tons of the average American - Afghanistan is one of the countries most aggressively experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis. Indeed, temperatures are rising there twice as fast as the global average and the country ranks as the 10th most vulnerable country in the world to climate change. Every year, communities are being hit by increasingly severe and frequent extreme weather and natural disasters like floods, drought and snow avalanches.

How can you get involved?

At this important moment in the country's history, we must not forget the multitude of challenges facing the people of Afghanistan, and we must not let progress be lost. 

Please watch and share our film, A Source of Hope, to raise awareness of the local Afghans who are at the forefront of climate action in Afghanistan, and our work leading the Afghanistan Resilience Consortium to help them.*

*Please note this film was produced in Spring 2021, prior to the change in government. For more information about the current situation please read our update.

If you'd like to be part of our #COP26 campaign by fundraising for our climate action projects, please send us an email letting us know your plans - we're here to help!

Ready to start fundraising? You can create a personalised fundraising page directly on our website.