ESCI-UPF

Unlocking the Future

The Impact of Climate Change Negotiations on Our Planet

Climate Change Minas 24
MScSUS students attending the conference on climate change of professor Minas. / Photo: Ilija Sazdovski

Last month, Dr Stephen Minas, professor at Peking University, gave an online conference on climate change for the students of the Master of Science in Sustainability Management that the UPF-BSM offers jointly with ESCI-UPF.

COP 29 stands as a pivotal event as the world faces the intensifying impacts of climate change. In 2024, this conference presents a critical opportunity for global leaders to reinforce commitments and implement concrete measures to address the climate crisis. With rising temperatures and increasingly severe weather patterns, COP 29 will serve as an essential platform to foster global cooperation and drive immediate, meaningful action.

The outcomes of COP 29 will directly influence the planet’s environmental trajectory, guiding strategies to reduce carbon emissions, protect ecosystems, and transition toward sustainable energy sources.

Building on COP 28, the upcoming conference will focus on policy advancements and integrate educational aspects vital to the broader climate agenda.

Regarding these issues, Dr Stephen Minas shared his extensive expertise on the progress of climate policy with our Master of Science in Sustainability Management students. Dr Minas is a respected authority in climate negotiations, having previously chaired the UNFCCC’s Technological Executive Committee. He remains an active figure in this field as the Deputy Chair of the Climate Technology Centre and Network under the UNFCC Framework. Over his distinguished career, he has represented Greece and the EU at previous COP gatherings, granting him a unique perspective on international climate discussions.

In his lecture, Dr. Minas offered invaluable insights into the COP 29 agenda, focusing on this year’s primary negotiation topics and significant expectations for COP 29 in Baku. He discussed the organizational efforts behind this pivotal initiative and highlighted expected changes in climate funding allocations due to geopolitical issues, including conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine, and their potential influence on various countries’ negotiation positions.

Dr Minas’s insights enriched students’ understanding of the complexities of climate negotiations and highlighted the intersecting factors that shape global climate policy. We are truly grateful to have hosted such a distinguished expert, who has greatly enhanced our students’ educational experience.

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