In the run up to the globe's most important meeting on climate change, the #CIWEMtalksCOP26 series asks thought leaders from the water and environmental industry and beyond to answer a common question: what do you most want COP26 to deliver? Here we'll be serialising their answers.

George Warren is Integrated Water Management Lead for Anglian Water Services.

George recently joined Anglian Water as the Integrated Water Management Lead having previously worked within the climate change team at the Greater London Authority. He was the 2020 UK Susdrain SuDS Champion and has previously chaired the London Drainage Engineers Group (LoDEG) and the Association of SuDS Authorities (ASA) Reference Group.

"With the prolonged build-up to this monumental event it is vital that COP26 lives up to the expectations of those who have been championing the net-zero movement and in particular the students whom prior to COVID were sacrificing their own education to get people talking more about climate change.

"If the past year (or more) has taught us anything it’s that we as a human race can quickly adapt our behaviours when faced with serious consequences. Sadly, we are getting to the point now where in order to meet the Paris agreement goal of not surpassing a 1.5°C temperature increase, that a similar scale of change is required from us all.

"Although the actions of those attending COP26 won’t be able to address this alone, they do have the opportunity to set a standard. I sincerely hope that they take this responsibility seriously and set ambitious targets, not only around mitigation but significantly around adaptation. As EA Chair Emma Howard Boyd stated recently “Adaptation is important precisely because we don’t know what level of climate change we are going to get”.

"We know that adaptation measures can provide a wide range of environmental and societal benefits but to realise them governments have to provide the flexibility and room within regulation and funding to establish new approaches. This must be the future for water management, where a more integrated approach can maximise investment, make the best use of a valuable resource whilst also improving the environment and creating great places for people to live.

"Equally important is that these targets are accompanied by clear plans on how they will be achieved, something that previously has been lacking. Targets are relatively easy to declare, it’s the route to achieving them that is the hard bit. The industry has learnt a lot in planning its own route map to net zero and is full of intelligent and willing people, many of whom are members of CIWEM, who can provide insights into how ambitious targets can be met. The key though will be ensuring that the governments fully commit to their plans going forward.

"Lastly, I hope that there is clear accounting system setup around any proposals that include carbon offsetting, as there is a real risk that given the likely scale of offsetting that several nations may end up trying to claim the benefits of the same schemes, which would undermine the process."

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George Warren is Integrated Water Management Lead for Anglian Water Services.