The Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP), now in its 15th year, is pleased to announce the latest Call for Applications for journalists interested in covering the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). The program, led this year by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security, aims to bring up to 20 journalists from developing countries to attend and report on the conference in November 2021.
Hosted this year by the United Kingdom in partnership with Italy, COP26 was postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but is currently scheduled to take place in the city of Glasgow from October 31 to November 12, 2021.
Since its launch in 2007, the CCMP has brought more than 350 journalists from developing countries to attend and report on the annual UN climate talks. This has enabled journalists from around the world to cover the climate negotiations for their home audiences, while benefiting from working alongside knowledgeable climate journalists and gaining a multifaceted understanding of the actions that countries are taking—or not taking—to prevent climate change and address its global impact.
“After a year-long delay, the negotiations at COP26 and the commitments that are made there have grown even more consequential,” said Devon Terrill, Journalism and Media Program Officer for the Stanley Center. “Journalists need to be there to report on these important developments and hold their countries’ delegations accountable.”
Despite the uncertainty around the practical details of this year’s conference due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CCMP organizers believe that it is critical for journalists representing diverse countries—and especially those from the Global South—to have the opportunity to attend and cover COP26, if possible. In the event that safety measures related to COVID-19 or other barriers prevent all or some CCMP fellows from traveling to Glasgow to report from COP26 on-site, the CCMP organizers may offer opportunities for journalists to participate in CCMP activities virtually. More information on this can be found in the Call for Applications.
“Along with so many other impacts, of course, the pandemic has hampered journalists’ ability to cover the increasing impacts of climate change and efforts to prevent them,” notes James Fahn, EJN’s Executive Director. “We don’t know what the situation will be like for journalists to cover COP26, although we’re sure there will be challenges. But we’re committed to doing our best to try and get some journalists there in person and helping others to cover the event remotely.”
The deadline for applications is 30th July 2021. Decisions will be communicated before the end of August.