The UK will be assuming the COP26 Presidency, in partnership with Italy.

The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow from 1 to 12 November 2021, with Italy hosting a number of key preparatory events in Milan such as the youth event "Youth4Climate: Driving Ambition", from 28 to 30 September 2021, and the Pre-COP Summit, from 30 September to 2 October 2021.

The partnership between the two governments was decided at the end of the COP25, held in Madrid in December 2019, in response to the UN's call for even more ambitious targets in efforts to implement the Paris Agreement.

Fully committed to the principles of the UN, our partnership will focus on promoting tangible action that brings to life the transformational change required to unleash the full potential of the Paris Agreement.

The partnership will focus on promoting tangible action that brings to life the transformational change required to unleash the full potential of the Paris Agreement.

The UK and Italy already have a proven track-record of working together to champion the need for urgent climate action:

•             Phase out coal power by 2025

we are both members of the Powering Past Coal Alliance and together we have committed to phase out coal from power generation by 2025.

•             Both countries pledge to net zero emissions by 2050

as members of the High Ambition Coalition, we have worked in partnership with progressive countries to push for ambitious outcomes. Both countries also pledged to net zero emissions by 2050.

•             Collaboration within G7 and G20

Italy and the UK have worked successfully in the G7 and G20 to promote the debate on climate change, build resilience and unlock sustainable finance, including for the world’s most climate vulnerable countries; we have a unique opportunity next year when the UK and Italy hold the G7 and G20 Presidencies respectively.

The UK-Italy partnership will be unwavering in its commitment to encouraging the highest possible ambition through COP26.

Useful links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-meeting-with-prime-minister-conte-of-italy-4-february-2020
https://www.ukcop26.org/it/partnership-tra-regno-unito-e-italia
http://www.governo.it/it/articolo/conte-londra/13976