COP26: Facing up to the climate crisis

Billed as the event many believe to be the world’s last, best chance to get climate change under control, all eyes are on COP26 and Glasgow at the moment. Less than 50 miles away, Halspan is quietly but conscientiously doing its bit, delivering on its mission to be ‘the world’s leading supplier of innovative, quality, sustainably-sourced building product solutions, specialising in fire, acoustic and service life performance’.

Doors that don’t cost the earth

One of the world’s leading suppliers of quality door components, Halspan was an early adopter of ‘green’ principles and today takes its environmental responsibilities more seriously than ever. “Reflecting our long-standing commitment to the environment, all our timber door blanks and cores are made from sustainably-sourced materials,” says Halspan’s Founder & Chairman John Martin. “We’re also proud to use environmental working practices,” John adds. Certified for Environmental Management in accordance with the ISO 14001 international standard, Halspan’s doing its bit for the planet but more is needed, much more.

What’s actually needed – and needed now – is collective action on a global scale, which is why COP26 (the 26th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) is so important.

“Reflecting our long-standing commitment to the environment, all our timber door blanks and cores are made from sustainably-sourced materials.”

John Martin, Founder & Chairman, Halspan

COP26 goals

Bringing together more than 100 world leaders and thousands of delegates, COP26 has four overarching goals:

1. Secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach. If the global temperature rise is to be limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius (the original aim of the Paris Agreement from COP21) to prevent catastrophic damage from global warming, the world must halve emissions over the next decade and reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Countries are therefore being asked to come forward with ambitious 2030 emissions reductions targets. These will require nations to accelerate the phase-out of coal, curtail deforestation, speed up the switch to electric vehicles and invest in renewable energy.

2. Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats. The climate will continue to change, even as emissions are reduced, with devastating effects. At COP26, nations need to work together to enable and encourage countries affected by climate change to protect and restore ecosystems, as well as build defences, warning systems, resilient infrastructure and agriculture to avoid further loss of life, livelihoods and natural habitats.

3. Mobilise finance. To deliver on the first two goals, developed nations must make good on their promise (agreed at COP15 in Copenhagen) to raise at least $100bn in climate finance every year – a target which isn’t currently being met.

4. Work together to deliver. The only way to rise to the challenge is by working together. At COP26, parties must finalise the Paris Rulebook (the steps needed to implement the Paris Agreement), as well as accelerating action to tackle the climate crisis through collaboration between governments, businesses and civil society.

What can you do?

To tackle the climate crisis, everyone in the construction industry – from specifiers and fabricators to installers and building owners – is being encouraged to make sustainable choices.

With its use of sustainably-sourced materials and environmental working practices, choosing Halspan means environmental compliance is built in!

For more information on Halspan’s comprehensive range of environmentally-compliant door systems, email info@halspan.com, call +44 (0)3300 563836 or visit www.halspan.com.