#NoWarNoWarming
From 1 to 12 November 2021, Glasgow will host one of the world’s most significant conferences on environment and climate change, known as COP26. COP26 must not pass by without world leaders getting to grips with the massive climate damage done by war and preparations for war.
Peace organisations across Scotland and around the world are demanding action for peace, disarmament and de-militarisation, including a complete end to nuclear weapons. Without this, there will be no possibility of an end to environmental destruction, nor any hope of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the level we need to address the climate emergency.
Use our COP26 Toolkit to find out more about:
Events and actions for peace and disarmament during COP26
Open exhibitions during COP26
Petitions and open letters to world leaders
Opportunities to get involved as a volunteer
Flyers, posters, publications and campaign resources
If you are working on events or actions related to peace and climate justice during COP26, please get in touch with us and let us know!
Events and Actions
Thursday 28 October: Greenham Women Walk to COP26 – Faslane to Glasgow (11:00)
Faslane (starting point): Greenham Women are still Everywhere and will be walking from Faslane Peace Camp to COP26 in Glasgow, departing on Thursday 28 October and arriving on Sunday 31 October. The walk will highlight the links between nuclear weapons, military action, and climate emergency. There must be no more exceptions for military pollution in COP26 agreement. All are welcome to join. More information via Eventbrite.
Thursday 28 October: Peace and Climate Stall outside Parliament (12:30)
Edinburgh, outside Holyrood: Organised by Peace Education Scotland. All welcome; no booking required.
Thursday 28 October: Catastrophe – The Environmental Impact of Nuclear Weapons (18:30)
Online: Organised by Peace Education Scotland and Scottish CND. Hear from activists whose communities have been doubly affected by nuclear weapons and climate change. Chaired by Richard Dixon (Friends of the Earth Scotland) and hosted by Ross Greer MSP. All welcome; please register online. Book your free ticket on Eventbrite.
Saturday 30 October: Resource Exploitation, Violent Conflict and Militarism – Drivers of Climate Catastrophe
Online / Global: International Day of Action hosted by the International Fellowship of Reconciliation. All welcome to organise and participate in events throughout the day. Find out more on IFOR’s website.
Monday 1 November: Can Personal Transformation Lead to Climate Justice? A Buddhist Dialogue (18:00)
Online / Glasgow, Websters: Buddhists from different traditions meet to explore the tension between personal inner transformation and the urgency of systemic change needed in the face of the climate and ecological emergency. More information via SGI-UK and the Centre for Applied Buddhism.
Monday 1 November: Launch of “Seeds of Hope and Action” – An Earth Charter International and SGI Exhibition (19:30)
Online / Glasgow, Websters: Learn how to counteract feelings of powerlessness and be inspired by courageous individuals who have held onto hope and taken action for change. Including a message from the heart of the Amazon. More information via SGI-UK and the Centre for Applied Buddhism.
Tuesday 2 November: Mourning Our Planet? (19:00)
Online: On the Mexican Day of the Dead, Dove Tales presents an evening of poetry and music asking the question, how many wars before we’re mourning our planet? Dove Tales are calling for open submissions to the event, work that looks at climate change from the angle of war and the devastation it causes to our planet. Find out more via the Dove Tales website.
Tuesday 2 November: Climate Justice – The Power of Faith Communities Acting Together (19:00)
Online / Glasgow, Websters: What can faiths contribute to making a just and sustainable world a reality? How are faith communities addressing climate justice issues? Are they doing enough? A Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Quaker and Sikh conversation. More information via SGI-UK and the Centre for Applied Buddhism.
Wednesday 3 November: No radioactive water dump into the Pacific – Global Online Event during COP26 (13:00)
Online: Japan has plans to release 1,280,000 tons of radioactive water from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean starting from 2023 and continue for more than 30 years. The dumping of this radioactive water could cause irreparable damage to our planet, and could affect everything from the smallest sea creatures to our human living conditions and everyday lives. Speakers include Pacific Youth, a Fukushima-based anti-nuclear activist, Dr. Ian Fairlie (an independent consultant on radioactivity in the environment) on hazards of tritium and concerns over the dumping plan, and groups in Japan. Register online via Zoom.
Wednesday 3 November: Climate Crisis Exhibition Launch (15:30)
Glasgow, Pearce Institute: Organised by the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). Join us for the launch of Climate Crisis: Justice For All, Peace not Conflict, End Greed and Lies. Following the launch event, the exhibition will be available to view at the Pearce Institute throughout COP26. (Please be aware that viewing times may be limited when other events are taking place in the same space.) All welcome. More information via WILPF.
Wednesday 3 November: Beyond Rhetoric – Youth Leadership for Climate Action (19:00)
Online / Glasgow, Websters: Young climate activists from the Global South and North discuss the challenges and opportunities for youth on the frontlines of climate action and explore how to better facilitate intergenerational collaboration. More information via SGI-UK and the Centre for Applied Buddhism.
Thursday 4 November: Radical Peace Activists Speak to the Independent Press (10:00)
Glasgow: Organised by Scottish CND, Code PINK, Trident Ploughshares and other peace campaign groups. Open to the Scottish and international press. By invitation. Please contact Scottish CND (scnd@banthebomb.org) for more information.
Thursday 4 November: We Will Do This (15:00)
Glasgow, Marriott Hotel: Talks, film screenings, art exhibits and presentations for climate action, including key findings from the newly-released UN Second World Oceans Assessment (WOA II). Co-sponsored by Blue Planet Alliance, Earth X and partners.
Thursday 4 November: Stop War, Stop Climate Chaos (16:00)
Glasgow, Buchanan Steps: An international anti-war rally, with World Beyond War, Code PINK, Veterans for Peace, Stop the War Coalition and other peace and environmental campaign groups. Join us on Buchanan Steps, in front of the Royal Concert Hall, to demand that COP26 sets strict limits for greenhouse gas emissions that make no exception for militarism. All welcome; no booking required. More information via World Beyond War.
Thursday 4 November: Vigil for Peace (17:00)
Glasgow, Buchanan Street: Vigil for Peace organised by the Scottish Peace Network. Meet by the Donald Dewar Statue on Buchanan Street. All welcome.
Thursday 4 November: Global Justice – Climate Justice (19:00)
Online / Glasgow, Websters: Inspiring speakers from the Global South and North bring their varying perspectives to explore the intersecting issues of global and societal injustice, gender and race, in the context of the climate crisis. More information via SGI-UK and the Centre for Applied Buddhism.
Friday 5 November: Fridays For Future Climate Strike (11:00)
Glasgow, Kelvingrove Park: Fridays For Future Scotland are organising a strike on November 5th, meeting at Kelvingrove Park at 11 am and aiming to arrive at George Square by 1:30 pm where there will be a rally for two hours. Hear from some very exciting speakers including Greta Thunberg and a wide range of activists from the Global South who will talk about the climate crisis firsthand, such as Vanessa Nakate from Uganda.
Friday 5 November: Climate World Café (13:00)
Glasgow, Websters: In an informal setting using the established World Café methodology we will explore possibilities of reimagining and co-creating the future. More information via SGI-UK and the Centre for Applied Buddhism.
Friday 5 November: Vigil for Peace (17:00)
Glasgow, Buchanan Street: Vigil for Peace organised by the Scottish Peace Network. Meet by the Donald Dewar Statue on Buchanan Street. All welcome.
Friday 5 November: CODE RED – Peter Kennard (18:00)
Edinburgh, Out of the Blue Drill Hall: Join Peace & Justice for the in-person preview of CODE RED – a print installation by one of Britain’s foremost political artists, Peter Kennard. Free of charge, but advance booking required.
Friday 5 November: The Power of Stories to Transform Narrative (19:00)
Online / Glasgow, Websters: What are the stories we live by and the stories that help us reimagine the future? Storytellers and speakers help us explore some of the narratives we are embedded in as well as exploring alternative stories. More information via SGI-UK and the Centre for Applied Buddhism.
Saturday 6 November: Peace and Demilitarisation Bloc at the COP26 Coalition Rally (11:30)
Glasgow, Kelvingrove Park: Join the Peace and Demilitarisation bloc at the COP26 Coalition rally in Glasgow on 6 November. Meet by the Tigress & Cubs statue in Kelvingrove Park by 11:45am, ready to march at 12:30. All welcome; no booking required. More information on Facebook.
Saturday 6 November: Spread Second Stories – Lived Experiences and Diverse Voices (18:00)
Online / Glasgow, Websters: Inspiring speakers share their lived personal experiences beyond single narratives. Listen to their stories of being impacted by the climate crisis as well as the actions they are taking. More information via SGI-UK and the Centre for Applied Buddhism.
Saturday 6 November: Climate Club / Open Mic (20:00)
Online / Glasgow, Websters: All welcome. More information via SGI-UK and the Centre for Applied Buddhism.
Sunday 7 November: The Future is Now – Celebrating Life (15:00)
Online / Glasgow, Websters: Music and spoken word, celebrating life and the power of the arts that can help us look to the future in a collaborative spirit of hope and joy, with full awareness of the injustices and dangers facing us now. More information via SGI-UK and the Centre for Applied Buddhism.
Sunday 7 November: US Militarism, Space Tech and the Climate Crisis – The Role of Demilitarisation in Climate Justice (20:00)
Online, People’s Summit: This panel will identify the intersections of militarism, space tech, and climate change – and how these can be challenged. Register via the COP26 Coalition.
Monday 8 November: Panel – Climate Colonialism and Climate Justice – the Case of Western Sahara (11:45)
Glasgow, People’s Summit: This session will explore how climate action is used by Morocco to entrench its illegal occupation and bolster its green credentials, and how the Sahrawi people are systematically excluded from international climate finance and governance mechanisms, increasing their vulnerability and inhibiting their ability to adapt. It will examine the Sahrawi vision for climate action, and the centrality of self-determination for tackling climate injustice. More information via COP26 Coalition.
Monday 8 November: Shadow World (14:00)
Glasgow, Glasgow Film Theatre: Introduced by Andrew Feinstein, Shadow World reveals the shocking realities of the global arms trade – the only business that counts its profits in billions and its losses in human lives. Andrew Feinstein will be available in the venue after the screening to answer questions until the following event at 16:15. More information via Shadow World Investigations.
Monday 8 November: Challenging the Military Carbon Bootprint (16:15)
Glasgow, Renfield Centre Church Hall: The world’s militaries are major carbon emitters yet are not even required to report their emissions, let alone reduce them. This workshop will discuss the size of military carbon emissions, the role of the military sector in protecting the extraction economy, how they seek to capitalise on the climate crisis by offering armed ‘solutions’, and how we might confront military power and forge lasting just alternatives to war. Keynote speaker: Stuart Parkinson (Scientists for Global Responsibility). Panel: Nnimmo Bassey (Health of Mother Earth Foundation Nigeria), Nancy Mancias (CODEPINK US), Tim Pluta (World BEYOND War US), Hilary Evans (Movement for the Abolition of War UK), Raki Ap (Free West Papua Campaign), Nick Buxton (Transnational Institute). All welcome.
Monday 8 November: Boycott! The UK arms trade and the neoliberal economy of war. (16:15)
Glasgow, Glasgow Film Theatre: Join speakers from Shadow World Investigations, the Boycott Turkey campaign and more, for a discussion on the UK arms trade and its environmental impact. Learn about campaigns to boycott the arms trade and what we can all do to mobilise against war and capitalism. More information via COP26 Coalition.
Monday 8 November: The Environmental Hazards of Nuclear Weapons (19:00)
Glasgow, Pearce Institute: Join Peace Education Scotland for the launch of their new film on the environmental hazards of nuclear weapons, folllowed by reflections on the life of Kenneth McNeil. All welcome; no booking required.
Monday 8 November: Climate Walls – How the Militarisation of Borders Drives Injustice, and What We Can Do About It (20:00)
Online, People’s Summit: As climate change exacerbates displacement, the border industry is cashing in on anxiety about the future and states are investing billions in military, surveillance, and control systems. Border control as a climate adaptation strategy doesn’t work, causes unquantifiable human suffering, and draws investment away from real climate action – join us and help hold the new climate profiteers to account. Register online via the COP26 Coalition.
Tuesday 9 November: Press Conference – Launch of www.militaryemissions.org (10:00)
Online / Glasgow, Arctic BaseCamp Tent (Federated Hermes Fringe Site): Scientists will launch a new website dedicated to showcasing the dire state of military greenhouse gas emissions reporting to the UNFCCC. A new website developed by the Conflict and Environment Observatory and Concrete Impacts (Lancaster & Durham Universities) – www.militaryemissions.org – will bring these voluntary reports into one place for the first time, allowing visitors to see what their countries do, and do not report, and just how big the military emissions gap is. Register for the livestream of the press conference via Zoom.
Tuesday 9 November: Panel Discussion – Exploring the Military Emissions Gap (11:30)
Online / Glasgow, Arctic BaseCamp Tent (Federated Hermes Fringe Site): Join Concrete Impacts (Lancaster & Durham Universities) and the Conflict and Environment Observatory as they examine the military emissions reporting gap. Panellists will discuss the current flaws in military emissions reporting, and why the scope of reporting needs to be expanded to cover emissions created across the cycle of conflicts, and across militaries’ massive supply chains. Register for the livestream of the panel discussion via Zoom.
Tuesday 9 November: How Apartheid Israel and the Climate Crisis are Intertwined (11:45)
Glasgow, Centre for Contemporary Arts: Apartheid Israel and western extractivism build a settler colonial structure and barriers to climate justice. Workshop to discuss the joint struggle to achieve Palestinian self-determination and climate justice from the Jordan river to the Mediterranean sea. More information via the COP26 Coalition.
Tuesday 9 November: Decolonise, Demilitarise, Decarbonise – Divesting from Wars, Criminalisation and Militarism at Home and Abroad, to Invest in a Regenerative Future (14:00)
Glasgow, Fred Paton Main Hall: Confronting the climate crisis and advancing a just transition to a regenerative economy demands an end to wars, military culture and the violence of militarised forces and police in our communities and across the world. More information via the COP26 Coalition.
Wednesday 10 November: Collisions – a VR film showing (18:00)
Glasgow, Pearce Institute: Join Peace Education and Scottish CND for a showing of the film Collisions, and hear reflections from Indigenous people whose lives have been affected by nuclear testing. All welcome; no booking required.
Thursday 11 November: A Guided Tour of the Unacceptable (19:30)
Glasgow, Pearce Institute: Preview a new film of Faslane, Coulport and the Scottish sites where the UK deploys its nuclear weapons. Learn about Scotland’s long-standing opposition and resistance. Unravel the links between nuclear weapons, climate change and environmental destruction. Post screening discussion with Bill Kidd MSP, Convenor Scottish Parliament Nuclear Disarmament Cross Party Group. All welcome; no booking required.
Saturday 13 November: The Mistake (Michael Mears) (14:30)
Edinburgh, Parish Church of St Cuthbert: A compelling new play by the award-winning actor and writer Michael Mears about the day the atomic bomb changed our world forever. Peace & Justice welcomes Michael Mears and You-Ri Yamanaka for an exclusive live reading of their play The Mistake about the dropping of the first atomic bomb – ahead of the planned premiere of The Mistake at the Edinburgh International Festival Fringe 2022. Register online via Eventbrite.
Exhibitions during COP26
Sowing Seeds of Hope (until 7 November)
Glasgow, Websters: Open from 1 November 2021. Hours: from 2pm onwards every day. More information via SGI-UK and the Centre for Applied Buddhism.
Climate Crisis: Justice For All, Peace not Conflict, End Greed and Lies (until 11 November)
Glasgow, Pearce Institute: Open from Wednesday 3rd November (launch event at 3.30pm). Hours: generally available while the Pearce Institute is open, although access may be limited when other events are on. More information via WILPF.
Peace Cranes (until 13 November)
Edinburgh, St John’s Church: Open throughout COP26. Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10.30am to 4pm (but not available Wednesdays 11-11.30am). More information via Peace & Justice.
CODE RED: Peter Kennard Print (until 26 November)
Edinburgh, Out of the Blue Drill Hall: Open from Saturday 6th November. Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. More information via Peace & Justice.
Call for Volunteers
If you are interested in getting involved with any of these events or actions as a volunteer, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please let us know when you are available, and what time and skills you would like to offer – or if you are happy to step in wherever the need is greatest!
Petitions and Open Letters
Petition: Demand that Governments Commit to Meaningful Emissions Cuts at COP26
There are signs that some countries may pledge to reduce military greenhouse gas emissions at COP26 in November. This call for action from the Conflict & Environment Observatory sets out the scope of what these pledges should include and is open for signature by organisations before and during the COP.
Petition: Stop Excluding Military Pollution from Climate Agreements
As a result of final-hour demands made by the U.S. government during negotiation of the 1997 Kyoto treaty, military greenhouse gas emissions were exempted from climate negotiations. That tradition has continued. This petition from World Beyond War demands an end to this gaping loophole in climate action.
Open Letter to Nigel Topping, High Level Champion for Climate Action at COP26
An obligation on governments to fully report the emissions of their militaries is a critical first step given the urgency of the climate crisis. As the UK’s High Level Champion for Climate Action, this letter asks for Nigel Topping’s support in ensuring that military GHG emissions are included on the agenda for COP27.
Letter to NatWest as a Principal Sponsor of COP26
NatWest Group (RBS) is a principal sponsor of COP26 and claims to be a leader in addressing climate change, but the bank still invests in nuclear weapons producers. Nuclear war would cause climate catastrophe. Read more and take action via Don’t Bank on the Bomb Scotland.
Letter to Glasgow-Based Arms Manufacturers and Military Organisations
Campaigners are calling for the emissions generated by arms dealers and the military to be fully recognised and subject to strict limitations, transparent reporting requirements and independent verification. More information via Trident Ploughshares.
Resources
XR Peace has a fantastic collection of resources, including articles, leaflets, posters, logos and graphics, addressing the links between militarism, conflict and climate change:
Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) have an extensive collection of reports and presentations on the links between climate change and the military:
The Global Campaign on Military Spending (GCOMS) have launched a new booklet for COP26, demonstrating how militarism fuels climate crisis.
World Beyond War have put together a collection of articles, videos and factsheets on the ways that war threatens our environment, as well as a dedicated page of resources and events for COP26:
IPPNW has produced a statement on the problem of nuclear power, to inform discussions at COP26.
Peace Education Scotland‘s new booklet “Environmental Costs of Nuclear Weapons” is a useful resource for politicians, educators and anyone wishing to have an informed debate on nuclear weapons. Covering topics such as climate and resource related conflicts, adverse effects from nuclear tests and uranium mining, radioactive and toxic discharges, the close links between civil and nuclear programmes and the large ‘carbon bootprint’ of the military – the booklet also includes useful links and references. Contact info@peaceeducationscotland.org to request printed copies.
Movement Against War have produced a short video explaining the impact of militarism on climate change.
Partners and Coalitions
The links between war and climate change are too grave and too urgent to be overlooked. Organisations across the Scottish peace movement and internationally are campaigning in the build-up to COP26, and will go on working to address the twin threats to humankind of climate change and militarism for as long as our work is needed. Click on the organisation names below to find out more about what we do, and contact campaigns@banthebomb.org if you would like to see your organisation added to this list:
Scottish Organisations
Ayrshire CND
Edinburgh CND
Edinburgh Stop the War
Faslane Peace Camp
Glasgow Catholic Worker
Glasgow CND
Highlands Against Nuclear Transport
Medact Scotland
North East Scotland CND
NukeWatch
Peace and Justice
Quakers in Scotland
Scottish CND
Scottish Peace Network
Scottish WILPF
Transition Edinburgh
Trident Ploughshares
UN House Scotland
XR Peace
International Organisations
CODEPINK
European Network Against Arms Trade (ENAAT)
IPPNW
IPPNW Germany
Movement for the Abolition of War
Reverse the Trend
Stop Wapenhandel
Transnational Institute (TNI)
World BEYOND War
Coalitions
The COP26 Coalition is a civil society coalition made of groups and individuals from a range of constituencies in Scotland and the rest of the UK – including many organisations from across the peace movement – who are organising for climate justice around COP26.
Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is a coalition of over 60 civil society organisations in Scotland campaigning together on climate change, including organisations from across the peace movement.