This week I am pleased to be at COP26 where I?ll be showcasing Nottingham?s response to the climate emergency and learning from cities around the world about what more we can do. I?ll be taking part in a number of events including being a panel member for a vital discussion on ?Enabling Net Zero Investment?.

I think we would all agree that the desired outcome for COP would be that agreement is reached to work together internationally to secure global net-zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach. But we also need to adapt to protect communities and natural habitats, and to mobilise finance, particularly for communities at the greatest threat from the effects of climate change.

We need Government, private investment and other stakeholders to support our vital work. We have already had demonstrator projects in the city, but they need to be scaled up, creating jobs and achieving a just transition to a low carbon economy, where our more deprived communities can benefit from warmer homes, affordable energy and access to clean modes of transport.? We need the Government to take action, and truly commit to a net zero-carbon future.

Find out more?Nottingham?s green investments at COP26

This week we launched our special Carbon Neutral Nottingham edition of the Arrow . This edition looks at the significant progress we?ve made in the city towards achieving our 2028 carbon neutral goal, including

• City CO2 emissions have reduced by 53% per capita since 2005
• 45% of the Council fleet is now ULEV
• First in world to use purpose-built electric bin lorries
• 14,500 trees have been planted since 2019, with 50,000 by 2023
• Over 200 public EV charging points
• Since 2012, over 7,000 social and private hard-to-heat homes have been insulated and over 4,000 social housing properties now have solar panels.

Only by working together can Nottingham truly achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2028 and so there are tips and suggestions on ways you can help reduce your carbon emissions too. Find out more Arrow: Carbon Neutral Nottingham

While all eyes have been on Glasgow for the COP26 talks, a group of Nottingham organisations have come together to create their own space for climate discussions.

Green Light In The City opens tomorrow in Bridlesmith Gate and its organisers ? drawn from the City Council, both universities, and local education and environmental charities ? hope the space will allow people to share ideas about the city?s future.

The aims of the project are to:

• Raise awareness, promotion and engagement with green issues
• Encourage community and creative partnerships
• Consider ideas of how communities can live differently in the future
• Highlight inspiring work that is happening locally to tackle the climate crisis.

Find out more Green light to climate change conversation

We?ve recently submitted a bid for ?97 million of Government funding for exciting improvements that will make bus services better. Under our Bus Service Improvement Plan, passengers would benefit from greener electric and hydrogen buses, reduced fares for younger people and more contactless ticketing options. We?ve worked with Nottinghamshire County Council and local bus operators to put together the plan, which also takes into account what residents and businesses told us during a consultation in the summer.

Nottingham already has one of the greenest and most popular public transport networks outside London, and this funding would allow us to deliver further significant investment to build on our already innovative transport network, getting us even closer to achieving Carbon Neutral 2028.

We hope to hear if we?ve been successful before the end of the year. Find out more.

We?re starting to see cases of Covid-19 fall in Nottingham, which is welcome news. However, with winter approaching I would urge everyone to keep taking steps to stay safe. We?re still seeing people getting very sick with the virus ? with some needing to be treated in hospital. We can all do our bit by continuing to apply ?Hands/Face/Space/Fresh Air? wherever we are. Please take a regular test so you know for sure you are Covid-free ? and, if you have symptoms, get a PCR test immediately. Getting vaccinated against the virus remains the best defence we have. It?s still not too late to get your first jab ? whether you are 12 or 112. Our main vaccination centre is at the Forest Recreation Ground where you can turn up without appointment or book a dedicated time slot here: NHS: Book coronavirus vaccination. Please do all you can to take care of yourself and each other this winter.

Armistice Day will be marked tomorrow as always by observing a two-minute silence at 11am in front of the Council House This commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compi?gne. The public is invited to join from 10.55am but is asked to maintain social distancing wherever possible.

The commemorative events continue on Remembrance Day (Sunday 14 November) with a service on Victoria Embankment which the Leader and I will attend ? I will be reading the poem ?In Flanders Fields? by John McCrae. Order of Service link