More than 10,000 apply to volunteer at United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow

Glaswegian father and son Navneet (44) and Aayush (16), who were among those to apply.

More than 10,000 people have applied to volunteer for the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow later this year.

Eager Scots have contributed to 80% of applications, but further afield applicants have also registered their interest, with people from 98 countries including Australia and India.

The UK will host the international summit at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow from November 1-12, with Glasgow City Council receiving a staggering response from people keen to help support the staging of the event.

The COP26 summit will bring together heads of state, climate experts and campaigners to agree coordinated action to tackle the climate emergency and to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Young people under the age of 25 accounted for a third of applications, but the campaign has also seen people up to the age of 84 throwing their hat in the ring.

5,000 applications were put forward within the first week of recruitment opening.

Glasgow City Council’s COP26 Volunteer Manager, Claire Shiel said: “It is incredibly encouraging to see such an overwhelming and positive response to our call for COP26 volunteers.

“Volunteers bring an unrivalled spirit and warmth to any major event and, in return, have the chance to represent the city and have a truly unique experience.

“We are looking forward to welcoming a diverse and passionate team on board and are grateful to everyone who has expressed an interest.

“From the figures we can see that Covid has not diminished people’s spirit and strength of feeling around volunteering and this is extremely heartening for the sector as a whole.

“It’s amazing what can be achieved together through volunteering and, although we do not have roles for everyone who has applied, we know there are many organisations across Glasgow and beyond who are looking for volunteers and will be delighted to see this enthusiasm.”

Around 1,000 volunteer places are available for COP26.

The role will see people based across Glasgow and Edinburgh, providing information on the conference and the venues, supporting delegates staying in and travelling around the city, and promoting the best of what Glasgow and Scotland has to offer.

Ahead of the event, volunteers will receive a workshop on sustainability from the UN and be given the training and tools required to carry out their roles successfully and confidently.