Could you negotiate a climate deal? ENVS 340 students just did

Students in the ENVS 340 Environmental Politics course recently concluded a two-day Climate Simulation Conference, an immersive educational experience designed to replicate the dynamics of international climate negotiations.

The simulation was based on the World Climate Simulation, a role-playing exercise modeled on United Nations climate change negotiations and powered by the C-ROADS climate policy simulator. The event was facilitated by Dr. Amanda Bielawski, a distinguished consultant and advisor to multiple United Nations entities. Dr. Bielawski has contributed to a wide range of global UN forums, including the UN Climate Change Conference (COP), and brought valuable real-world insights to the simulation.

Throughout the exercise, students assumed roles representing various stakeholder groups, including developed and developing nations, fossil fuel lobbyists, and climate advocacy organizations. Each group was challenged to negotiate regional carbon emissions targets with the shared objective of limiting global warming to below 2°C. Additionally, a team of students acted as journalists, conducting interviews and reporting on the proceedings to simulate public communication and media engagement.

This hands-on learning experience offered students a unique opportunity to engage directly with the complexities of international climate diplomacy. Participants deepened their understanding of the complexities of international negotiations, the differing priorities of key actors, and the critical importance of collaborative action in addressing climate change.