The UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties or COP26 began yesterday at Glasgow’s Scottish Exhibition Centre, including the SEC Armadillo and OVO Hydro buildings. Sustainability has been the central focus of the practice from its inception, which has been brought into sharp focus by the ongoing climate emergency. Foster + Partners is participating in and organising several talks and events both in Glasgow as well as its London campus, highlighting innovative sustainable designs, processes and thought leadership.

On Wednesday, 3 November, Norman Foster will be in conversation with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, and Leader of Glasgow City Council (Mayor) Susan Aitken, on the post-covid city, joined by an audience of mayors from across the world. Event details as follows:

Event
Climate Breakfast with Mayors: a dialogue with Norman Foster and John Kerry
Wednesday, 3 November 2021 | 7.30-9am (GMT)
The event will be live streamed here

Our Head of Sustainability, Chris Trott will also be giving presentations to delegates as part of the Buildings Pavilion programme, talking about some of our latest projects that emphasise community, business, low carbon and the benefits of circular economy, on Thursday, 4 November and Thursday, 11 November, which incidentally is the first time COP has a day dedicated entirely to the built environment. Event details are below:

Event
Halving Emissions by 2030 – how businesses and policy makers can tackle whole life carbon
Thursday, 4 November 2021 | 2:30-3:30pm (GMT)
The event will be live streamed here

Event
Delivering net zero carbon buildings in cities – recent examples and what needs to happen next?
Thursday, 11 November 2021 | 11am-12pm (GMT)
The event will be live streamed here

An inspiring range of sustainability related events for our internal audience will also be taking place on our London campus throughout the duration of COP26.