UN International Climate Change Negotiations Opportunity

Photos of Brazil and Climate Change with Text Open for Applications

Climate change is the most pressing and complex environmental and social problem facing our planet. The Environmental Law Program (ELP) at Miami Law offers students an opportunity to work with countries and global organizations and engage in the annual negotiations for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Through the Environmental Law Program, students have the opportunity to advocate for climate action and attend the United Nations COP Climate Change Conferences. Professor Jessica Owley and students have attended in the past in Baku in 2024, Dubai in 2023, Egypt in 2022, and Madrid in 2019.

 

Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2025.

Course Requirement

Selected students must enroll in three classes for a total of five (5) credits:

Climate Change Law and Policy (2 credits). A pre-requisite or co-requisite course taught by Prof. Ileana Porras. It will explore legal frameworks governing climate change from local to international levels. This course is designed to give students an overview of the global climate regime to contextualize the negotiations taking place in COP 30.

UN Climate Change Short Course (1 credit). A week-long course taught by distinguished visiting professor, Tracy Bach. It will focus on the Paris Agreement mechanisms, aiming to provide students with a working knowledge of the processes and dynamics through which countries agree to take climate action.

UN Climate Change Negotiations (2 credits). This is an out-of-classroom course conducted at COP 30 in Brazil. With guidance from Prof. Jessica Owley and Valerie Fajardo, students will monitor negotiations, prepare briefings, and assist in writing speeches for partner countries and organizations. Students will also have an oppportunity to attend talks on various climate topics. Students are expected to produce a post-COP report for their partners by early January 2026.

Estimated Cost of Participation

Students should estimate $2,000 to participate in this program and must arrange their own travel to Belem, Brazil.

  • Airfare ranges from $600 - $800. 
  • Meals cost around $5 - $20 per meal. 

The ELP will cover $200 of the airfare and the full cost of accommodations.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to law students (rising 2Ls and 3Ls, LL.M.s, and S.J.D.s) but welcomes applications from graduate students outside the law school. 

Priority will be given to students in the environmental law concentration and to students with a demonstrated interest in public international law and policy.

Application Process

To apply for this program, please submit the following materials.

  1. A statement of interest (no longer than 500 words) explaining why you wish to participate.

  2. Two references (not letters of recommendation), including at least one from a faculty member.

  3. An up-to-date resume.

  4. Your transcript

Applicants can expect a decision by April 30, 2025 at the latest. 

Submit an application

For Information

Please contact Valerie Fajardo at rvfajardo@law.miami.edu for more information.

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