Morvern Does COP26 hailed a great success

The community in the Morvern peninsula might be small (approximately 350 permanent residents) but it doesn’t lack ambition.

To coincide with the COP26 UN climate conference in Glasgow earlier this month the Morvern community held a series of events promoting climate action, resilience and hope.

During the fortnight, practical sessions and informative walks and talks took place. Some were light hearted and some were more serious.

There were events for all ages and all abilities. For some of the events there was some very dreich weather but for others the elements were more kind.

At least one activity took place every day of COP26, all organised in just a couple of weeks with a £0 budget.

The final event took place on Friday November 12: a gathering in the village hall with short presentations, poetry, music and discussions, interspersed with coffee, tea, cake and whisky cocktails, courtesy of Nc’Nean distillery.

In contrast to the official event in Glasgow the Morvern COP ended on a high.

Speaking after the final evening an attendee said: ‘I have come away from the event with a changed paradigm.

‘No longer do I think; ‘What’s the point?’ with regard to us all making small improvements.

‘This community is wealthier than most with regard to skills and knowledge and we could actually become the first net zero rural community in the UK, if we all get on board and do our bit.’

Although the official Morvern Does COP26 programme has now come to an end, the community will continue these conversations with fortnightly get-togethers to discuss what people can do to increase biodiversity, increase climate change resilience, reduce local emissions, and initiate and/or support local projects that will increase carbon capture.

Right: The Village Clean Up, setting off from Café LA in the new Hub.

Below: Checking and monitoring the native oysters at Lochaline Pontoons.