After traveling for over 15 hours—by plane, train, automobile, and metro—I took a step out into the frigid November air, and it finally hit me: I’m only a few hours away from witnessing COP23 in Bonn, Germany. My classmates and I have spent the last 12 weeks examining the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the subsequent annual negotiations known as the Conference of Parties (COP). We’ve examined the history that has led us to where we stand today, as well as the dynamics that have prevented the world from reaching a legally-binding, ambitious agreement to stabilize global temperatures. Now, we have an opportunity to see how much of the history and theory we discussed bears out in reality. We have an opportunity to see the action firsthand.
Source: UNFCCC
While some COPs have a set agenda and somewhat predictable outcomes, this year’s meeting is chock full of unknowns: what actions will be taken toward the implementation of the landmark Paris Agreement; how will the rest of the world, specifically China, react to the United States’ intent to withdraw the Paris Agreement; will private companies, subnational actors, and nonprofit organizations fill the vacuum left by a nearly nonexistent US delegation from the Trump Administration. While this year’s COP has many unknowns complicating the potential outcomes, it is still an opportunity to move the ball forward toward reaching a global agreement.
Given that I arrived late on Sunday, typically a slow day at past COPs, I took the opportunity ease into things. I started by getting my official badge and familiarizing myself with the logistics and area surrounding the COP. Next, a few classmates and I explored a nearby winter carnival, tried our first tastes of currywurst, and navigated the Bonn train system back to our accommodations. I look forward to tomorrow, the beginning of week two of COP23. My client, the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, has several engagements with subnational elected officials over the next week. I so excited to get started working on these issues and making a contribution to moving the needle, even if it’s just a little bit.
