COP26 volunteers to be kitted out with sustainable uniforms from Lion Safety - One tree to be planted for every volunteer uniform created

Following a competitive tender process, family-run Falkirk company Lion Safety have been appointed to supply uniforms for around 1,000 volunteers for the 26^th United Nations Climate Change Conference, which is being hosted at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC).

Lion Safety has a track record of delivering practical and comfortable uniforms for a range of organisations and charities over the last 30 years and has pledged to plant one tree for every volunteer uniform provided, through a partnership with environmental charity One Tree Planted.

As well as being sustainable, the uniforms - which are currently being designed and produced - will be suitable for the time of year, reflect the COP26 brand and instil a sense of pride in the volunteers. The uniforms will be delivered to each individual packaging free, with a commemorative recycled tag stating that a tree has been planted in their honour.

Glasgow City Council's COP26 Volunteer Manager, Claire Shiel said: ­"Volunteering at COP26 will be a valuable and memorable experience for many and our volunteers can wear their uniforms with pride as they welcome delegates and represent the city and contribute to collective, global action on the future of our planet.

"This sustainable uniform created by Lion Safety will unite our team of COP26 volunteers during the Conference and they will be able to wear these garments for years to come, knowing they played a part in this milestone event."

Laurie Lewis, Sales and Marketing Director at Lion Safety, said: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to produce uniforms for the COP26 volunteers. To provide quality, bespoke uniforms with a huge emphasis on sustainability encapsulates everything we believe in as a business.

"The circular economy is at the heart of our operations and with such a high-profile global event being held so close to home, we felt strongly that we wanted to part of it and had something valuable to offer. These bespoke and sustainable uniforms will be delivered by local people and worn by local people at a global environmental event - this is a significant and proud moment for Lion Safety."

Around 1,000 volunteers will be based across Glasgow and Edinburgh during COP26, sharing information on the conference and the venues, supporting delegates staying in and travelling around the city and providing participants and media with the famous warm Glasgow welcome.

Glasgow City Council received 10,000 COP26 volunteer applications and the selection and skills matching process is currently underway, with roles offers going out to successful applicants from the end of July.

Ahead of the event, volunteers will receive a workshop on sustainability from the UN and be given the training and tools required to carry out their roles successfully and confidently.

COP26 will bring together heads of state, climate experts and campaigners to agree coordinated action to tackle the climate emergency.

These vital climate talks were postponed by a year to November 2021 to allow time to deliver a successful summit while the world tackles the pandemic. Organisers' intent remains to hold the summit in person, with Glasgow as host city, whilst putting the health and wellbeing of all involved at the centre of the event.

The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October - 12 November 2021.

The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The UK is committed to working with all countries and joining forces with civil society, companies and people on the frontline of climate change to inspire climate action ahead of COP26.

https://ukcop26.org/volunteer/