Applications for UBC's delegation to COP29 will open on June 1, 2024 and close on July 1, 2024 at 23:59pm Pacific Time. Learn more about the application process and the criteria UBC judges will use to select delegates this year. 

Join UBC’s delegation at COP29 to observe the international climate negotiation process, do primary research, build climate connections and partnerships, and share knowledge with a global audience.

Each year UBC receives a limited number of observer badges for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (UNFCCC COP) negotiation space, known as the Blue Zone. Members of the UBC community have attended COP22-28 as official observers. UBC is aiming to receive at least five badges for each week of COP29 (November 11-16, and November 17-22). 

Following a recommendation from the Climate Emergency Task Force report to empower climate advocacy culture, the UBC COP26, COP27 and COP28 delegate selection processes were open and transparent competitions for all students, faculty, and staff. 

A committee selected observer delegates from applications based on the number of observer badges available. Between seven to ten delegates, including a mix of students, faculty and staff, attended each year. You can learn more about the experiences of the COP delegates through the following resources:

 

an OPEN COMPETITION

The Sustainability Hub is pleased to announce details of a competition for COP29 passes open to all current UBC students, faculty, post-docs, and staff. UBC will apply for badges for each week of the event (November 11-16 and November 17-22). 

Applications open on June 1 and close on July 1 at 23:59pm Pacific Time. Applicants will be informed about selections by September.

The annual UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP) brings together countries, civil society, companies and people on the frontline of climate change to accelerate action on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Parties include 197 nations and territories that have signed on to and are responsible for monitoring and reviewing the implementation of the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is the parent agreement to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol and the 2015 Paris Agreement. 

During the conference, delegates representing nation states and the EU will convene to discuss what actions are needed to address climate change and to negotiate national and global emissions reductions. UBC delegates will observe these negotiations and engage in the many side events taking place at the conference. More information about COP29 can be found on the official webpage. Please also review the Canadian government travel advisory for Azerbaijan.

APPLy

*Applications will open on June 1, 2024. Apply for your chance to receive one of UBC’s badges to attend COP29, observe global negotiations, and be in a key space of global climate action. Questions? Email ubc.atCOP@ubc.ca for more info and/or find out what's involved in planning your journey to COP29 before you apply. The application decision-making framework is below. 

Eligibility

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to apply if they are studying and/or working full-time at UBC. Visiting Scholars, Adjunct Professors, Sessional Lecturers and students graduating in 2024 are ineligible.  

Up to ten observer badges will be distributed to applicants. Two badges will be kept by UBC for students, faculty and staff approved to host events at COP. 

Decision-making framework

Reviewers will use a decision-making rubric to assess each entry, following these core questions:

  • Context. Does the application show a detailed understanding of climate change and COP proceedings? Does the application show an understanding of the importance of justice, equity, diversity, decolonization and inclusion, and achievements in advancing them?
     
  • Motivation and commitment. Does the application convey a commitment to actively witness COP proceedings? Does the application demonstrate the applicants’ lived and/or formal experience? Does the application show alignment between attending COP and current work or study goals? 
     
  • Engagement. Is there a plan in the application to share learnings with others in the UBC community? Will these learnings reach a large amount of people and/or group(s) that are typically underrepresented in COP negotiations?