The Church of Scotland’s climate change officer has said news that a major climate conference will be held in Scotland is ‘huge’.

Adrian Shaw said he was feeling ‘excitement and a little bit of shock’ after it was confirmed that the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will take place in Glasgow in November 2020.

At the conference, around 30,000 delegates, representing nearly every country in the world, will meet to discuss the next steps in the fight to limit global temperature rises, building on the Paris Agreement of 2015.

Mr Shaw said: “It’s a huge event for the city and for Scotland. It’s an opportunity to shine a spotlight on some of the work that’s been done here, and churches have been part of that. We are proud of the fact that there are over 400 churches now registered as Eco-Congregations – over 10 per cent of all churches in Scotland.

“There will be church leaders here, the WCC (World Council of Churches) will be represented. There will be the opportunity for churches and congregations here to meet and learn from other church members and other church leaders from around the world about the impact of climate change.”

While preparations for the event are still at the embryonic stage, Mr Shaw added that there will ‘almost certainly’ be a shortage of accommodation in Glasgow, and that churches and their members could play their part by offering to host church delegates from around the world.

The announcement came days before the school strikes throughout Scotland and the rest of the world on September 20. The Rev Dr Richard Frazer, convener of the Church of Scotland Church and Society Council, urged adults to ‘listen to and understand’ young people’s fears over climate change.

Dr Frazer said: “Rather than taking a stand for or against climate strikes, we urge churches and congregations to listen to children in their communities…

“By listening we can learn and understand better and this will in turn help us respond more effectively to the climate emergency.”