COP26: mascot Bonnie the Seal is “recycled” for the Glasgow climate summit to involve children
THE mascot used for two major sports championships is “recycled” for the COP26 climate conference – with the aim of involving children.
Bonnie the Seal makes a comeback when Glasgow hosts the huge United Nations Summit in autumn.
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The mascot was the face of the Glasgow 2018 European Multisport Championships and the city’s 2019 European Short Course Swimming Champions.
The UK government has approved the move suggested by Glasgow City Council, with the local authority helping to host the event.
City officials plan for Bonnie to visit schools in Scotland’s biggest city to speak to pupils about the fight against climate change.
Sources said Bonnie – who donned running shorts and trainers in 2018 and a blue swim dress in 2019 – will be getting a new outfit which will be unveiled in a photoshoot in the coming days.
But the move has raised eyebrows, with a COP26 insider saying this week that the eco-friendly mascot resembled a “demented seal”.
A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said: “What better way to engage with children about COP26 and climate and environmental issues than to recycle one of our well-known and much-loved mascots.
“Bonnie the seal will swim to Glasgow from her home in Argyll to bring another lively dimension to the event and be part of our COP26 volunteer programme.”
Bonnie is based on a young female harbor seal – one of Scotland’s most iconic and beloved animals.
It was created four years after the Glasgow 2014 mascot, Clyde the Thistle.
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Bonnie’s name was selected in a poll by the Scots in 2018, and the board says the mascot is “well-established and popular with the Glasgow public thanks to an extensive program of engagement for the Championships.” Glasgow Europe 2018″.
The council insists that by “reusing a previous mascot” it has “the added benefit of being a strong message of sustainability in itself”.
Leaders from 196 countries, around 20,000 delegates and thousands of protesters are expected to gather in the city from late October to draw up an action plan to limit the climate crisis.
The news broke as it was announced that Her Majesty The Queen would also be attending the COP26 conference.
She will travel to Glasgow for a reception marking the start of the summit in early November, Buckingham Palace said.
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