- Sixth annual cycling challenge backed by Iberdrola travelled across Scotland in four stages totalling 273km from Queensferry to Glasgow
- Team of 15 cyclists to be welcomed at COP26 by UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary, COP26 CEO, Iberdrola Chairman and ScottishPower CEO
- On arrival, cyclists will deliver a manifesto urging collective action on climate across five vital areas
Glasgow, 9 November 2021: A peloton of 15 cyclists will today arrive at the COP26 Summit in Glasgow to deliver a manifesto urging collective climate action from every member of society across five key areas.
Over the past four days the cyclists have travelled over 270km on electric bicycles, passing some of Scotland’s most famous energy and industrial landmarks to raise awareness of their manifesto for action.
The 15 cyclists, from different organisations and backgrounds including International Energy Agency, University of Strathclyde, International Renewable Energy Agency, WWF UK, UNFCCC and UK Corporate Leaders Group, among others, form the Moving for Climate NOW initiative. Present at every COP since COP21 in Paris, the initiative works to deliver a message on the urgency of uniting to take and demand action to stop climate change and accelerate the transition towards a more efficient and low-carbon energy model.The journey also reflects the need to act together collectively in order to accomplish a common goal that otherwise would be out of reach.
In particular, the manifesto will call for:
- Clear medium and long-term pathways aligned with reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Consistent and enabling policy frameworks from public authorities to enable countries to meet their nationally determined contributions on emissions .
- A massive expansion in green investment to accelerate decarbonisation across all sectors of the economy.
- Better conservation of marine and terrestrial ecosystems in recognition of the fact that nature is vital to a healthy planet.
- And a drive for everyone to work together in recognition of the fact that the biggest climate challenges require alliances to overcome them.
This year’s 270km route began in South Queensferry. The four day route was designed to highlight the progress made on the energy transition to date, as well as the importance of accelerating action.
During the first leg of the journey the team visited visited Longannet, the last coal-fired power station in Scotland which closed in 2016. This site was chosen to highlight the commitments made at COP26 to eliminate coal usage globally. The second stage involved a look ahead at the opportunities the energy transition can offer to communities. To do this, the riders went past the HALO initiative at Kilmarnock. HALO is a model regeneration project for the UK’s towns and cities, aimed at creating a modern, low carbon urban environment.
Stage Three took the cyclists past ScottishPower, part of the Iberdola Group, owned Whitelee windfarm, the UK’s largest onshore windfarm capable of powering up to 350,000 homes – more than all the homes in Glasgow.
Finally, Stage Four today sees the group arrive at the blue zone in Glasgow to present their manifesto, from the hands of Iberdrola Chairman and Chief Executive, Ignacio S. Galán, and accompanies by CEO of ScottishPower, Keith Anderson and the rest of the cyclists.
On arrival, the team will be welcomed by senior representatives at COP26, including UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary and COP26 CEO .
Commenting on the challenge’s arrival, Ignacio Galan, Chairman and Chief Executive of Iberdrola said: “Since Paris, the 200 people from institutions, academia, NGOs, and policy makers who have joined Moving for Climate NOW have travelled 4,500 km in two continents, pedaling together to accelerate net zero, showing the power of alliances to multiply results”.
“This year in Scotland in just two days they cycled through the past -the former Longannet power station, whose chimney will soon be demolished- to the future of the energy system, at our Whitelee facilities, that combine wind energy, battery storage, and soon, renewable hydrogen production”.
ADDITIONAL QUOTES TBC
This Moving for Climate Action NOW alliance is a demonstration that global challenges like climate change and the pandemic require the joining of forces among diverse and different backgrounds, operating under the message to society of: LET’S ALL MOVE, PULLING ALL THE LEVERS RIGHT NOW.
About Iberdrola
Iberdrola is a leading global energy supplier -the third-largest by market capitalisation in the world and the leader in renewables, championing the energy transition towards a low-emissions economy. The group supplies energy to around 100 million people in dozens of countries and has renewable, grid and commercial activities in Europe (Spain, the UK, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy and Greece), the US, Brazil, Mexico and Australia, while counting Japan, Ireland, Sweden and Poland among its growth market platforms.
With a workforce of more than 37,000 and assets of over €122 billion, it recorded turnover in excess of €33 billion and net profit slightly exceeding €3.61 billion in 2020. The company contributes to the maintenance of 400,000 jobs in its supply chain, with annual purchases of 14 billion euros. A leader in the fight against climate change, Iberdrola has committed more than €120 billion over the last two decades to building a sustainable energy model based on sound environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.
