UNFCCC COP26
The United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties – COP26 – was a key opportunity for governments, donors, practitioners and knowledge brokers to stimulate action to achieve the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Here you can learn how SPARC led the debate during a host of events, engaged in key policy discussions, and shared the research and knowledge it has generated.
Read this article to find out how some of the key lessons that emerged from COP26 will inform the future direction of our research and engagement.

SPARC COP26 Resilience Hub events
SPARC hosted hybrid and virtual events at the COP26 Resilience Hub, with an exciting range of speakers followed by vibrant Q & A:
World Leaders Summit: 'Closing the action gap: addressing climate risks in fragile and conflict-affected settings; the need for multi-agency collaboration and coordination' hybrid event on Monday, November 1 from 5.30pm GMT to 7pm GMT - Watch here
‘Climate change and migration in the Sudano-Sahel region’ virtual event on Thursday, November 4 from 8.45am GMT to 9.45am GMT - Watch here
‘Transboundary Climate Adaptation Risks’ virtual event on Friday, November 5 from 9am GMT to 10am GMT - Watch here
SPARC member organisations at COP26
ODI hosted a virtual COP26 Resilience Hub event:
'Anticipatory action for drought: making a difference for pastoralists and farmers in the Horn of Africa' virtual event on Wednesday, November 3 from 8.15am GMT to 9.45am GMT - Watch here
Mercy Corps hosted COP26 events:
‘Which financing mechanisms can contribute to inclusive locally-led adaptation in fragile and conflict settings’ – Development and Climate day event on Tuesday, November 9 from 8:30am GMT to 10:00am GMT;
‘A humanitarian’s view of the climate finance crises - the realities and solutions from a practitioner perspective’ - virtual event on Wednesday, November 10 from 5.15pm GMT to 6.45pm GMT - Watch here
SPARC team members led discussions at:
‘Cascading climate risks: perspectives from around the world’ virtual event on Monday, November 1 from 3pm to 4pm GMT. Researchers highlighted the programme’s work on Transboundary Climate and Adaptation Risks in Africa during a roundtable that showcased examples of cross-border climate risks from regions around the world. The event was co-organised by CASCADES and Adaptation Without Borders;
‘Climate Finance for Sustaining Peace’ - COP26 virtual Side Event organised by the UNDP and Climate Security Mechanism on Monday, November 8 from 3.30pm GMT to 5pm GMT;
‘Bridging the gap: Directing climate finance to communities affected by conflict and violence’ - COP26 hybrid Side Event co-organised by the African Development Bank and International Committee of the Red Cross on Thursday, November 11 from 3pm GMT to 4.30pm GMT.
ODI participated in ‘Cascading climate risks: perspectives from around the world’ virtual event on Monday, November 1. As part of a series of TED-style talks, SPARC researchers highlighted the programme’s work on Transboundary Climate and Adaptation Risks in Africa during a roundtable that showcased examples of cross-border climate risks from regions around the world. The event was co-organised by CASCADES and Adaptation Without Borders.
SPARC joins COP26 ClimateShot campaign
Find out more about how SPARC has joined ClimateShot, a new global campaign launched at COP26, which aims to transform food production and achieve climate goals. The campaign is being led by Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
SPARC research and news articles
Research
Research report: Resilient Generation: supporting young people’s prospects for decent work in the drylands of east and west Africa and accompanying Issue brief in English and French;
Synthesis report: Exploring the conflict blind spots in climate adaptation finance;
Report: Transboundary climate and adaptation risks in Africa: perceptions from 2021 and accompanying infographics;
Brief: Understanding the role of Anticipatory Action in Somalia;
Policy brief: Stabilising the Sahel: Livestock as a driver of regional integration.
SPARC in the news
Climate Home article: Climate adaptation finance has a blind spot on conflict and fragility
Climate Home article: Young people are creating a new climate narrative in African drylands;
Climate Home article: What does pastoralism have to do with climate change?
Down to Earth article: Transboundary climate and adaptation risks
SPARC Team members who attended COP26
Rebecca Nadin – SPARC Risk and Resilience Advisor;
Mauri Vazquez – SPARC Research Lead;
Mairi Dupar – SPARC Communications and Engagement Lead;
Taylor Martin – SPARC Programme Manager;
Colette Benoudji – SPARC People and Societies Theme Lead;
Sarah Opitz-Stapleton – SPARC Research Associate;
Yue Cao – SPARC Senior Research Officer;
Josie Emanuel – SPARC Communications and Public Affairs Specialist.
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