COP26 – Competitions and an expanded innovations agenda for accelerated uptake of 1.5 °C innovations

Mission Innovation’s Net-Zero Compatibility Initiative and UNFCCC organised a dinner workshop at COP26 in Glasgow to showcase a series of ongoing innovation competitions and strengthen the network and relationships between innovators, the United Nations, Mission Innovation and governments that want to contribute to providing global 1.5 °C compatible solutions. During the event, four new initiatives were presented: the UNFCCC Cities Innovation Hub, EARTH 300, the Carbonless Asia Challenge and the Climate Smart Cities Challenge. In addition to building stronger links between city stakeholders and solutions providers, the workshop also explored methods for measuring and setting clear targets for 1.5 °C compatible solutions in relation to export and dissemination of solutions. Speakers at the event were: Massamba Thioye, Project Executive, UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub; Aaron Oliviera, Founder/CEO, EARTH; Tony Verb, Co-Founder/Managing Partner, Carbonless Asia; Pontus Westerberg, Programme Management, UN-Habitat; Rafael Greca, Mayor of Curitiba; Kathy Nothstine, Head of Future Cities, Nesta Challenges; Regina Summer, Chief Strategy Officer International Collaborations, Vinnova; Åsa Minoz, Innovation Strategist, Viable Cities; Dennis Pamlin, Head/Senior Advisor, Mission Innovation’s Net-Zero Compatibility Initiative/RISE