More than 1,000 residents in Glasgow opened their homes enabling hundreds of activists from around the world to find accommodation during November’s UN Climate Change Conference, according to a new report.
The low-cost homesharing platform made it possible for people on low incomes to attend the event – both the main conference and hundreds of alternative activities.
The COP26 Homestay Network arranged for locals to make their spare rooms available for visitors to book. The report records that 1,260 local residents in the Glasgow area opened up their homes, enabling 1,696 activists from 127 countries to find accommodation. Faith groups played their part in this.
Prices for accommodation in Glasgow skyrocketed during COP26, held between 31 October and 12 November, as private landlords and hotels took advantage of the sudden increase in demand.
This made it almost impossible for many activists to find a place to stay, especially those from the least privileged countries that are most affected by climate change. Human Hotel worked with Stop Climate Chaos Scotland and the COP26 Coalition to provide accommodation space.
The report from Human Hotel, titled “A report about solidarity, friendship and collective action”, indicated that 50 per cent of residents that helped out hosted people for free, sometimes for up to 21 days.
More than 60 per cent had never hosted before and 91 per cent became a host after learning about the accommodation crisis.
Around 51 per cent of guests said they could not have attended COP26 without the Homestay Network. A total of 12,339 nights were booked over a two-week period, all in support of the climate justice movement.
Three-quarters of guests said they felt more connected to the movement after their stay and 73 per cent of hosts felt more motivated to take part in climate action.
Glasgow Churches promoted the Human Hotel, and as well as working with a number of congregations and organisations to host, they developed opportunities for prayer, worship and developing a spiritual life in connection with COP26 and the climate crisis.
The Glasgow Churches Together COP26 Group offered a hospitality and information hub in the Glasgow City Centre Salvation Army building. Open throughout COP26, it provided a welcome and information in a restful space.
Loading ...
