Senior deputies attending UN climate change conference

TWO senior deputies will be flying the flag for Guernsey at a United Nations climate change conference.

Performers from Ocean Rebellion lead protests on the banks of the Clyde in Glasgow yesterday before COP26 has even started. The protesters said they were highlighting the degradation of the ocean and the UK's 'lack of purpose' in tackling climate change. (30133488)

Deputies Lindsay De Sausmarez and Jonathan Le Tocq will be representing Guernsey at COP26, the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, in Glasgow, which starts at the weekend and runs until 12 November.

Deputy Le Tocq will be attending the event in his role as external relations lead for Policy & Resources, while Deputy De Sausmarez is going as president of Environment & Infrastructure. The two will be going at different times, covering different days of the conference.

Mobilising finance in the battle against climate change is a key goal for the conference – which is an area where Guernsey’s finance industry has been making a name for itself internationally.

Securing global net zero by mid-century, adapting to climate change to protect communities and natural habitats, and international co-operation to deliver results are other COP26 goals.

‘The UK is obviously the host nation. Guernsey, along with its fellow Crown Dependencies of the Isle of Man and Jersey, are part of the UK delegation. So we are there in an official capacity,’ said Deputy De Sausmarez.

She said Deputy Le Tocq would be at the conference for the first week – including a day covering climate finance – while she would be going for the final day of the first week and into the second week.

‘Obviously any opportunity we get to promote Guernsey’s interests, and especially as a green and sustainable finance centre, we will be doing that with great enthusiasm,’ she said.

‘But also this is an incredible opportunity to learn. Each of the days has got a different theme. So we’re there on days with themes such as finance, energy, transport, nature, and adaptation. All of those things are obviously highly relevant to us and our situation, and our approach to mitigating and adapting to climate change.’

It was a ‘unique opportunity’ to share knowledge, including of Guernsey’s experiences, and to be part of the international effort to tackle climate change.

The role of overseas aid from Guernsey and the island’s finance industry helped Guernsey to ‘punch above its weight’ and have an impact far beyond local shores in the battle against climate change, she added.