Liverpool to play unique role in global meeting

David Humphreys
·2-min read
Cllr Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool Council
-Credit: (Image: Liverpool Echo)


Liverpool has made a one of a kind contribution to the world’s most important meeting on climate change. As Presidents and Prime Ministers meet in Baku, Azerbaijan, for COP29, our city will have a unique status at the event afforded to no other.

Cllr Liam Robinson, leader of the city council, is the only non-world leader to be offered a speaking role at the event which brings together heads of governments from across the globe to turn their hot air into action on climate change and environmental issues. He told cabinet members at Liverpool Town Hall how he was taking part in a session to highlight the work the city is doing as a United Nations-designated Accelerator City.

In September, Liverpool became the world’s first Accelerator City for climate action, under UN Climate Change’s Entertainment and Culture for Climate Action (ECCA) programme. The title came in recognition of the city’s commitment to innovation and decarbonise its live music and TV/Film production sectors.

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As part of this, a three-night live music event will be held later this month, in collaboration with Massive Attack, ACT 1.5 and SJM concerts, to showcase innovations in sustainability and the smart design of live music events. Further industry events and decarbonisation schemes have also been earmarked.

Addressing cabinet, Cllr Robinson outlined the work he would be doing with international figureheads, he said: "Particularly focusing on how we can decarbonise the live music events we’ve got with Massive Attack coming up but looking at the decarbonisation of the music industry that’s absolutely central to our city’s past but crucially our city’s future. Really looking forward to, on a world stage, showcasing what we’re pioneering right here in Liverpool.”

The Conference of the Parties (COP), is held annually, with the Presidency rotating between the five recognised UN regions. Parties refers to the almost 200 nations that ratified a treaty called the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change back in 1992.

In 2021, the UK held the Presidency as Glasgow played host to the international climate conference. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told delegates he would set a new climate target for the UK - reducing national emissions by 81% by 2035 against 1990 levels.

As an Accelerator City Liverpool will expand on its use of policy, technology, infrastructure, and transport practices to pilot and then embed decarbonisation methods across the city, extending the scope of this work to include national film and television institutions; establishing cross-sectoral solutions with clean, green providers and sustainability-focused event and onscreen producers.

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