Our thinking

What the fringe

15 October, 2021

We’ve heard plenty from the UN about the monumental importance of COP 26 – an event being billed as “the world’s best last chance to get climate change under control”. And the UN itself has recognised the role that businesses have to play in achieving climate goals, putting out calls to action for businesses to set ambitious emission reduction targets. You’ll forgive us, then, for wondering why there has been so little effort to help businesses get involved in COP 26.  

Over the past few weeks, many of our clients have reached out to ask what events are on, who they can connect with and how to make the most of the climate summit. But thanks to the lack of direction provided by both the UN and the UK government about COP “fringe” events – those peripheral activities unrelated to the actual country-level discussions – overall clarity on the agenda has been hard to come by.  

At least, not until now. We’re very happy to share the launch of the COP26 Fringe app, a centralised calendar for all of the talks, presentations, performances, and more taking place during the two weeks of COP 26. Created by our good friend Mark Jankovich, COP26 Fringe allows event organisers to showcase their event and attendees to register their participation. In other words, it’s a great place to start for those looking for a way to navigate the climate summit.  

If COP 26 really is our best chance to get climate change under control, it strikes us that the odds would be a lot better if the private sector were involved (in fact, you could say that this is a pretty core belief here at Good Business). Providing a way to help make that happen is a fringing good idea. 

By Louise Podmore