COP26: will it inspire the change we need?
Two of our clients (Women’s Environmental Network and Sphera) attended and exhibited COP26, we caught up with them to find out more about their experiences.
First image - Orange square graphic with white writing quote from Kate Metcalfe "The collective power of women is a force to be reckoned with." Second image - Blue square graphic with Kate Metcalfe, Co-Director, Wen mission for a green caring world "A World with rustic and socio-environmental rights, where we care more about life and less about money."
Women’s Environmental Network acts to achieve equality, justice and joy at the point where gender and environmental issues meet. We worked with them this year on brand architecture, campaign identities and toolkits, as well as support with their COP26 exhibition.
First image - Three people stood at Cop 26 event at the WEN stand with pop-up banner "A green caring economy". Second image - Two people close up showing their Cop 26 vision card. They have written "Where all people have clean air" "End of racism, sexism and ableism" "Smash the patriarchy"
Do you think it will have an impact?
I hope that it will have an impact in helping to amplify marginalised women’s voices and priorities for climate action and for policy makers to listen. This is a marathon, though, not a sprint, but rest assured that we have the stamina to keep going! The collective power of women is a force to be reckoned with. More and more people are realising that when the problems are man-made that the solutions are feminist as Mary Robinson so aptly pointed out.
How did you engage the audience?
At our Green Zone stand we invited people to share their feminist visions for a green, safe and caring world. We then shared these on social media and encouraged people to post their ideas in order to create more dialogue about this. We also displayed people’s vision cards on our stand. We plan to continue to use these vision cards at future Wen events and on social media. The idea is to show that a green, safe and caring world is a better world. If you can imagine it then it’s easy to make it a reality.
My vision for a green, caring and safe world is… A world with justice and socio-environmental rights, where we care more about life and less about money.
First image - Moving GIF inspiring Carbon Neutral. Second Image - Panel discussion at Cop26
Sphera are a product innovation organisation that use forward-thinking technology to create sustainable materials for the construction industry. Sail worked with Sphera this year on a rebrand including naming, strategy and visual identity. Natasha Boulding, CEO, was on a significant panel ‘Countdown to Planet Zero Combating Climate Change with Chemistry’, and shares her thoughts here:
What was your experience of COP 26?
It was a global platform, in which we could showcase our mission; which as a start up is significant. We were thrilled to have a place on the SCI panel alongside young scientists and the next generation of change makers.
Our debate was focused around the fact 60% of young people are concerned about climate change, and each young panellist discussed what solutions are being developed.
Sphera’s take was that we need to think more about reusing materials to waste less. Burning waste is one of the most polluting ways to generate energy, and we are not talking about this enough. Waste needs a second life, it can be used it to create products that are valuable. Sphera exists to do just this, currently we are developing materials for the construction industry that are greener, more sustainable and better for the economy; bringing solutions to reuse problematic waste. Everything we do is about lowering carbon footprint and finding solutions to avoid problematic wastage.
Do you think COP will have the required impact?
Every climate change event raises awareness – COP26 did exactly that. It inspires future generations who will no doubt put lots of energy and future thinking into developing people-focussed and also technological solutions. The more people that are aware of climate change – the more change is going to happen.
Which talk were you really inspired by?
Mia Motely, the leader of Barbados did a very powerful, authentic speech on collective and diverse action – not just Western solutions, but social mobilisation for every country. Definitely worth a watch!
The Religious leader debate was also fascinating and points were raised that I had never really considered before. This included 5 leaders across 5 religions – 80 percent of the population belong to one of these religions. If trusted leaders/community members can share their thoughts on climate change and encourage local communities to take action-that will have a significant impact.
Burning waste is one of the most polluting ways to generate energy, we are not talking about this enough.
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