Buildings in Australia light up green to mark opening of COP26
Buildings across Australia were lit up green from Sunday October 31 to mark the opening of the UN Climate Summit known as COP26.
British High Commission Canberra, Photographer - Rohan Thomson
Yagan Square in Perth, The National Carillon, Telstra Tower, The British High Commission in Canberra, The British Consulate in Sydney (Gateway Building) and Town Hall Sydney were due to be cast in special green light.
The Conference of the Parties (COP) brings together over 120 world leaders in Glasgow, including Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, for a two-week programme of negotiations, dialogue, and ambitious target setting.
National Carillon, Photographer - Rohan Thomson
As host and president, the UK Government is committed to ensuring an ambitious and inclusive summit striving to uphold the Paris agreement and put the world on track to keep 1.5 degrees global warming within reach.
In addition to Glasgow, a series of special COP26 panel events and discussions will also take place in Australia during the Summit.
Gateway Building (British Consulate General Sydney), Photographer - Andy Baker
UK High Commissioner to Australia Vicki Treadell said:
The symbolism of light is powerful, a projection of hope. Around Australia we are lighting up buildings to reflect the spirit of global unity needed to address climate change. Our partnership with our Australian friends, and how we follow up the commitments achieved at the UN Climate Summit in Glasgow, is essential to that unity & spirit of hope.
Climate change affects us all, and only by working together will we be able to ensure the future of our planet and our people.
Telstra Tower, Photographer - Rohan Thomson
City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said:
The City of Sydney has long been a leader in taking action to tackle the climate emergency. We were the first local government in Australia to become carbon neutral in 2007 and our operations are now powered by 100% renewable electricity.
We are proud to be highlighting the start of the UN Climate Conference in Glasgow by turning Sydney Town Hall green and hope global leaders will set the legitimate, ambitious and necessary targets to tackle the greatest existential threat of our lifetime.
Yagan Square, Photographer - Mark Brierley
CEO of DevelopmentWA Frank Marra said:
DevelopmentWA is proud to show our support for the UN Climate Conference by lighting Yagan Square green, and hope for positive outcomes to shifting the world to a net zero future.
We recognise the need for action around climate change, so we’re developing a Net Zero Transition Plan across our operations to reduce our carbon emissions. We’ll also continue to demonstrate innovative projects to support other businesses and accelerate the rate of change in our industry.
See more images from the nationwide light up in our Flickr album.
To contact the British High Commission for climate related media enquiries, please contact amelia.mcnair@fcdo.gov.uk or 0416 645 857.