"CMIA helped to explain the potential for project-based mechanisms across a variety of constituencies and is a key voice driving the conversation on results-based finance and sector approaches for scaling-up emission reduction investments. We urgently need input from organisations like CMIA to operationalise Art 6 of the Paris Agreement."

Mr. Franz-Josef Schafhausen, former Director General Climate Change, European and International Affairs, Federal German Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety

Call for u-turn on Glasgow COP26 bike lane closures

27th August 2021 by CMIA

Cycling campaigners are calling on Glasgow City Council to u-turn on a decision to shut a key bike route during COP26.

GoBike wants council bosses to change their minds on closing the east-west active travel corridor between the Squinty Bridge and Partick.

The council has also said that work on the Avenues active travel project – a series of bike lanes around the city – will stop during the climate conference.

But bike champions claim these decisions from the local authority are in “direct conflict” with the aims of COP26.

Thomas Cornwallis, co-convenor of GoBike, said: “Failure to ensure active travel is a safe and accessible option in our city during COP26 is in direct conflict with what the Conference is aiming to achieve.

“We know that transport is the UK’s largest contributor to our carbon footprint and that’s why it is important to decarbonise it, but we also have to replace more journeys from car to cycling; nearly half of all journeys in Scotland are less than 1.86miles… that’s 12minutes cycling.

“If the council must close a motor traffic free route for COP26, they have to provide an alternative safe and accessible route that is also car free.

“It should be direct and easy to use for everyone and they must consult with experts while planning any diversions.

“Our petition is calling for safe and accessible routes for all during COP26.

“Sustainable transport is a part of the solution to the climate crisis.”

The United Nations climate conference will be in Glasgow in November 2021, hosted by the UK government.

GoBike says council data shows thousands of people cycle along the Broomielaw every day and it is used by people walking and wheeling as well.

The group has now set up a petition calling for residents to back their call for the council to change its mind on the cycle route closure.

GoBike is calling for Glasgow City Council to:

Ensure that safe active travel routes, suitable for all ages and abilities and accessible for all, remain open during COP

Ensure that active travel is made a priority around the security cordon and that diversions are safe, direct, traffic free, clearly signposted and that closures are advertised to users in advance

Ensure that active travel diversion plans are proactively consulted on with local cycle campaign groups ahead of their public announcement

Accelerate implementation of a linked up active travel network in the lead up to COP26 and beyond

Maintain the momentum gained with the Spaces for People program and work to improve and make permanent the temporary measures in place.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said the GoBike banner was put up without permission and was removed as it “created a visual obstruction that posed a safety risk to pedestrians and motorists as well as cyclists”.

The banner is currently in storage with the council.

A spokeswoman for Get Ready Glasgow said: “Delivering such a complex and sizeable event as COP26, means that, inevitably, some security road closures and other measures will be needed to facilitate not only the safe delivery of the event, but maintain the safety and security of participants, residents, businesses and visitors.

“Cycle paths and footways will also be affected and could be closed to the public at certain times.

“If this is the case then alternative routes will be available and signed appropriately for all modes of travel.

“As operational plans develop, this information will be communicated through the usual channels in good time before the arrival of COP26.”

Source: https://bit.ly/GlBike