Dear Ms Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,

Mr António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations,

Mr Alok Sharma, President of COP26,

Ms Amina J. Mohammed, Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group,

Ms Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme UNEP,

and the UNFCCC Member States,

I would like to start by thanking our communities and governments for the efforts and care they provide during these challenging times.

I understand that because of the continued risk and impact of Covid-19 the decision was taken to reschedule the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from 9-20 November 2020 to 1-12 November 2021. 

While we are living unprecedented times, the Climate Emergency is at least as important as Covid-19. Climate-related impacts on the planet and society pose ongoing threats that are not going away. Therefore, I would like to petition to transition the COP26 to an online "virtual" event.

UNFCCC and the UK in partnership with Italy can organise COP26 in two phases. The first phase could be a COP26 online "virtual" event this year as planned in November 2020, and the second phase could be the COP26 in-person meeting, as announced, in Glasgow for next year. Climate Change is not waiting!

Here is why:

There is no certainty that COP26 Conference can be held in person in November 2021. A vaccine for Covid-19 is not yet found and prospects are that it can take up to 18 months. Gatherings of COP26 amplitude are not recommended by official authorities during Coronavirus outbreak. Therefore, we cannot risk re-postponing this essential Conference. 

Governments, businesses and citizens are rethinking the way of operating and living after the pandemic, and it has never been a better moment to coincide this by addressing Climate Change and sustainability as DNA of the new model of living. The world is changing the way it conducts business and many events have or else are in the process of transitioning to a virtual environment.

Now is the right time to integrate and commit for Climate Change adaptation and mitigation solutions while creating new policies and recommendations for economic prosperity, peace, healthier life and the environment in a new world after the pandemic.

Governments face many difficulties due to Covid-19, and some things can and cannot be cancelled or postponed. Climate Change discussions are urgent and they can not wait or be overpassed. Those that agree on postponing COP26, indirectly demonstrate they don't put Climate Change among their priorities, as they should, and as, especially, the new generation is asking for Climate Action to secure their future.

Moving COP26 UN Climate Change Conference to online streaming will save resources and greenhouse emissions that normally occur from physical attendances. 

Here are some ideas about how it can be organised:

9-20 November 2020 COP26 Conference can be transitioned to a virtual event.

A virtual event held online can broaden the reach and deepen the impact of the conference.

I believe COP26 participants got familiarised to work with video conferences during the pandemic. It might be a good practice to have the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference online for future as well.

It is possible in 2020 to organise COP26 as an online event as a first phase of the Conference of Parties (COP) and move forward with respect to our commitment and actions in creating effective policy and solutions for tackling Climate Change.

Yours sincerely,