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This week, world leaders have been in Glasgow to attend the COP26 climate change summit - billed as the last opportunity to steer the planet away from catastrophic and irreversible warming.
Although the presidents and prime ministers are now returning home, the conference continues and more announcements are expected over the next 10 days.
On Tuesday, Jersey's delegation at the conference arrived, including External Relations Minister Ian Gorst and Dr Louise Magris, the Government's Head of Sustainability and Foresight, who is the leading civil servant on the Island's plans to decarbonise.
Express asked Dr Magris to write a blog on her experiences in Glasgow this week. Here's her first update...
Today marked the arrival and orientation for the small Jersey delegation participating for the first time at the historic Conference of Parties 26 in Glasgow.
One can’t fail to be impressed by the efforts for a covid safe conference with mandatory daily testing regimes, heightened security and hygiene across the venue. Safely bringing together delegates from around the globe is a challenge and understandably is taken very seriously.
Pictured: Jersey's small delegation arrived at COP26 on Tuesday.
The mood in Glasgow is friendly but serious – the local people are welcoming and very helpful but clearly understand the poignancy of the event, taking the time to ask you about your attendance and wishing delegates good luck for a successful conference. It feels like we are all part of history together.
Protestors and lobbyists are in evidence and their mood is sombre with many reflecting on the seriousness of the challenge and pressing world leaders to do more and faster.
I’m seeing people whose nation is devastated as a result of climate change and the voice of young people is loud and clear. Their passion and urgency is understandable and commands respect from someone like me, privileged to live in Jersey where we can plan and protect our Island home from the baked-in impacts of climate change that we will feel over the years to come.
Pictured: A 10-year-old's plea to Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Inside the conference there is energy and bustle from all sides. Around every corner is an event, stand or delegate with a something to say. The talk in the corridors today was the cautious optimism of the two major deals so far – the global pledge to slash methane levels by 2030 and to end and reverse deforestation by 2030.
But as much as all eyes are on the plenary talks, global deals and ongoing negotiations, it is equally possible to join detailed discussion sessions and find real life decarbonisation solutions.
I joined a session in the United Nations Climate Change Global Innovation Hub looking at collaboration between business, social enterprise and civic institutions around regional jobs and skills. These sort of sessions are invaluable to help shape our thinking on how we can decarbonise locally using the power of our community working together and innovating for the future in a way that Jersey has a great record of in times gone by!
Tomorrow is finance day, starting with the ‘Financing Our Future’ Headline Event led by UK Chancellor. The Minister for External Relations will be attending and engaging with international partners throughout the day
A final thought, here’s a menu that shows the carbon footprint of the meal you are about to eat - powerful reminders to produce and buy local, again something that works well for Jersey!
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