Many coming with nowhere to sleep
THOUSANDS of people coming to COP26 are still without somewhere to stay in Glasgow with just days to go until the event begins, MPs have been told.
Environmental campaigners said they are aware of official delegates with no accommodation who can’t afford the hugely inflated prices being asked on sites like Airbnb.
Dr Kat Jones, COP26 project manager at Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, said: “Three thousand people are on a waiting list for accommodation.
“Global South delegates, people who can’t afford hotel places and business people trying to get accommodation through the Homestay network.”
She told the Westminster Scottish Affairs Committee, meeting in Glasgow, that there was even a ministerial team from one of the countries coming to COP that had no accommodation, which was then directed to the UK Government which has spaces.
She added: “For others it is wherever you can find it.”
Dr Jones added: “We have been trying to secure emergency accommodation in sport centres. We have not been able to do so.
“We believe people are going to show up and don’t have accommodation.”
She said there are thousands of delegates who don’t have accommodation because often these badges aren’t given out until a few weeks beforehand and most of the accommodation was booked months ago.
Dr Jones said: “We’ve had contact from many delegates, even official delegations from countries, not finding accommodation.
“This is definitely an accommodation crisis.” She encouraged people looking to take part in climate justice marches to only come to Glasgow if they can get to the city and home again. Otherwise, she added: “Mobilise close to where you live.”
Janice Fisher, co-chair of Greater Glasgow Hotels Association, said the number of rooms in the city is limited.
Fisher said the accommodation provider MCI secured 15,000 rooms for the UK Government.
She said there were only 9750 hotel rooms within two miles of the SEC, increasing to 14,399 within 20 miles.
However, she added: “MCI only secured one third of that accommodation because they were asked to secure accommodation in other parts of the country to encourage a range of offers and a range of pricing.”
She said that people were encouraged to book in Edinburgh, 45 miles away, adding in Paris people were happy to book a hotel an hour away from the venue.
She said there was Airbnb and even campsites available.
She added: “I do take on board the fact there is maybe not enough official accommodation.”