University of Miami at the UN Climate Change Treaty Negotiations

COP 29 COP 29
COP 29: Baku, Azerbaijan
COP 25: Madrid
COP 27: Egypt
COP 28: Dubai

The Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change is an annual meeting of countries to take action on climate change. Attended by Heads of State, government ministers, scientists, lawyers, policy experts, and advocates from all over the world, the COP is an excellent venue for students to observe treaty-making in real-time and to build networks in the global climate community.

In This Section

Dispatches from the Ground COP30

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  • COP 30 Begins

    November 10, 2025
    Written by Prof. Jessica Owley

    COP 30 is underway in Belem, Brazil. Over 56,000 registered attendees make this the second largest COP in history. Nations worldwide are negotiating how to make progress on climate change.
     
    For many people, COP 30 began on Monday November 11, 2025. For our, team that was already day 4 on the ground in Belem. And of course our preparation began long before. This year we have 12 students, 1 post-doc fellow, and 4 faculty alongside a team of virtual delegates observing online from Miami.
     
    The team from the law school is supporting four Pacific Small Island Developing Nations (Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Samoa, and Tuvalu). These smaller developing nations are some of the hardest hit by climate change, but have some of the smallest delegations at the climate change treaty negotiations. Our students work directly with the delegates from these nations to help build their capacity at the negotiations. We do so by taking notes, summarizing discussions in negotiation rooms, and doing legal research. With 145 agenda items to track, we're logging long hours and serious step counts—racing across the massive venue, dodging crowds, leaking roofs, and rooms that range from freezing to sweltering.
     
    Follow along. We'll be posting dispatches from the field over the next two weeks. Reach out to learn more. And if you're in Belem, come find us!

  • UM Experts at the COP

    November 12, 2025
    Prof. Antonio Nanni
    Good day everyone from COP30. I am in the middle of activities of day three at the Conference.
    As an “Observer” from the University of Miami, I have two roles.
    My interest is in sustainability and resilience from the perspective of construction and with a focus on concrete technologies. As a researcher and academic, participation in COPs allows me to exchange ideas, learn from others, and hopefully have an impact on policies that affect the built environment. The context is unique in terms of international participation and commitment to change.
    The second role is related to my affiliation with the American Concrete Institute (ACI).  ACI is committed to sustainability and resilience as stated in one of its five strategic pillars. As a professional organization, ACI impacts society by deploying concrete knowledge in the form of codes, specifications, and reports. With that, I am here to educate COP participants on what ACI is doing to meet the goals of low-carbon concrete.
    This is the third COP I am attending, and I am committed to continue on this trend for years to come!

  • Justice Day at COP 30

    November 13, 2025
    Prof. Jessica Owley

    Today marks the first "Justice Day" at a Climate COP.

    Every year, the country organizing the COP sets thematic days. The choice of COP 30 themes highlights the priorities of the Brazilian government in the fight against climate change. Often the days surround ecosystems (e.g., Forest Day, Ocean Day) or marginalized groups (e.g., Indigenous Peoples Day, Youth Day, Gender Day). This year, the Brazilian presidency set day 4 as the "Day of Justice, Climate and Human Rights." Indeed, environmental litigation and the role of courts has been at the forefront of many of the discussions across the COP these past few days. In particular, negotiators and observers are all wondering what will be the influence of the July 2025 Advisory Opinion on climate change from the International Court of Justice.

    In an effort spearheaded by the Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu, the United Nations General Assembly sought guidance on climate change obligations from the international tribunal. The court clarified that states have a legal obligation under international law to take necessary measures to protect the climate system. While non-binding, the opinion carries significant legal and moral authority and parties are wondering what role it will play in the climate change treaty negotiations.

    In a high-level day-long event, judges and academics from around the world discussed the advisory opinion as well as domestic judicial actions on environmental and climate change issues. For example Judge Hu Xiabing (Supreme Court of China) highlighted that his country has over 2,000 specialized environmental courts.

    Many judges spoke of the increasing number of environmental cases, and climate change cases in particular. They welcomed with this work, and some even wished there was more. Calling for an active judiciary, Justice Ricardo Lorenzetti (Supreme Court Judge of Argentina) explained that environmental laws are there to be used suggesting we need judges who are "not active in the sense of creating new laws but in working hard to apply the laws we have."

    As judges worldwide show their willingness to actively apply environmental law, the question now is whether negotiators will bring that drive into the meeting rooms.

Meet the Faculty

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  • Prof. Jessica Owley, Ph.D.

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    Jessica Owley is a professor specializing in Environmental and Property Law, with a focus on Climate Change Law and Policy, and leads the Environmental Law Program. A leading expert on private land conservation and conservation easements, her interdisciplinary work examines strategies for climate mitigation, adaptation, and environmental protection. She regularly participates in UNFCCC treaty negotiations and has received multiple honors, including the 2019 Morrison Prize. Professor Owley holds a J.D., MLA, and Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and previously practiced environmental law in San Francisco. She has held faculty positions at the University at Buffalo and Pace Law School and is Editor in Chief of the Journal of Law, Property, and Society. .

    Faculty Profile page

  • Valerie Fajardo

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    Valerie Fajardo is the inaugural Climate Change and Environmental Law Fellow at the University of Miami School of Law. An international lawyer, she works at the intersection of law, policy, and climate action, focusing on supporting vulnerable countries. Before joining Miami, she advised governments and organizations across Southeast Asia and the Pacific on strategies to reduce short-lived climate pollutants. She has served on the Federated States of Micronesia’s delegations to negotiations under the Montreal Protocol and the Paris Agreement. Ms. Fajardo previously worked with IGSD and Greenpeace Southeast Asia. She holds a J.D. and MELP, both with honors, from Vermont Law and Graduate School.

  • Prof. Tracy Bach

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    Professor Tracy Bach is an expert in international environmental and climate change law with over 20 years of teaching experience in the United States and abroad. She attended her first UN Climate Conference (COP) in 2009, where she presented a white paper on climate change, human rights, and intergenerational justice. Since then, she has guided student delegations at numerous COPs and served as Co-Focal Point for the Research and Independent NGO constituency to the UNFCCC. She is a Visiting Professor at the University of Miami, where she teaches the COP preparation course, and also teaches international climate negotiations at Washington University in St. Louis.

    Engaging Climate Change

  • Prof. Daniel Suman, Ph.D.

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    Daniel Suman’s work focuses on coastal and marine management, emphasizing institutional cooperation, capacity building, management planning, and reducing conflicts among resource users. He also works extensively on marine and coastal protected areas and climate change adaptation. Much of his work is based in the Caribbean Basin and Latin America, with additional projects worldwide. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Latin American Studies from Middlebury College, followed by master’s degrees in Education and Latin American Studies from Columbia University. He holds a Ph.D. in Oceanography from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a J.D. with a specialization in Environmental Law from UC Berkeley.

  • Prof. Antonio Nanni, Ph.D.

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    Antonio Nanni’s research focuses on construction materials, their structural performance, and sustainable applications in buildings and civil infrastructure. His work emphasizes monitoring, renewal, and the integration of advanced composite materials. He is co-director of the National Science Foundation’s Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for the Integration of Composites into Infrastructure. Over the past three decades, Nanni has led numerous research projects sponsored by federal and state agencies and private industry, advancing concrete and composite-based systems. He is a registered professional engineer in multiple states. His contributions have earned widespread recognition, including election as a fellow of ACI, ASCE, BEI, and IIFC.

Meet the Students: COP30

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  • Alexander Carbaugh-Rutland

    Alex Carbaugh-Rutland is a 3L at Miami Law and a 5th-year PhD student in the Rosenstiel School for Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Sciences. He graduated from Oregon State University with a B.S. in Zoology and earned a M.Sc. in Marine Biology from Texas A&M University at Galveston. His PhD applies both scientific and legal research techniques to study Rice’s whale management in the Gulf of Mexico as a case study for federal wildlife conservation. Alex’s research is published in both scientific and legal journals, and, in 2025, he interned for Chief Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman of Southern District of Florida.

    Olivia Clausen

    Olivia Clausen is a 3L at the Miami Law. She earned her B.S. in Economics, magna cum laude, from Northeastern University. Before law school, she worked with an MIT initiative that supported social entrepreneurs addressing global challenges tied to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which sparked her interest in international environmental law. At Miami Law, Olivia serves as President of the Environmental Law Society and Executive Editor of the International and Comparative Law Review. At COP30, she looks forward to engaging in land use discussions and deepening her understanding of international climate policy and negotiation dynamics.

    Camilo Daza Manga

    Camilo Daza Manga is a 2L at Miami Law. He graduated from the University of Southern California and previously interned with the U.S. Department of State. Before law school, he worked in Washington, D.C., advising clients on foreign policy, national security, technology, and clean energy while engaging with ambassadors, members of Congress, and executive officials. At Miami Law, he interned with the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. He is a Junior Staff Editor for the Inter-American Law Review and co-founder and Vice President of the Alexander Hamilton Society. His interests center on climate change, national security, and sovereignty.

    Brittany Findley

    Brittany Findley is a 3L JD/International Law LLM at Miami Law. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2021 with a B.A. in Political Science and worked in technology consulting during her gap years. With experience in technology, policy, and social justice advocacy, she brings a global perspective that connects law and innovation to support community resilience. Rooted in her Caribbean heritage, Brittany’s interest in COP30 is shaped by her understanding of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). She aims to deepen her knowledge of how SIDS shape global climate discourse and influence international law through their unique social and economic perspectives.

    Juliana Gorina
    Grace Hussain

    Grace holds her MS in Animals and Public Policy from Tufts University and is currently working on her PhD in Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Miami. Her research interests lay at the intersection of climate disinformation, social structure and the beef and dairy industry. She works in the Blue Marble Lab alongside Jennifer Jacquet, PhD. She is also a journalist with Sentient primarily covering industrial animal agriculture and the industry’s social and environmental dimensions. Her writing has reached millions of people globally and been translated into radio coverage by Public News Service and BBC Radio.

    Izzi Lacy

    Izzi Lacy is a second-year law student in the Environmental Law Program. She serves as a Dean’s Fellow and research assistant for the Legal Communication and Research Skills program. She earned her B.S. in Tourism and Hospitality Management from the University of Florida in 2023. Izzi spent her 1L summer conducting legal research while backpacking through more than 15 countries. A lifelong traveler, she is dedicated to preserving natural and built environments for future generations. She is particularly interested in the intersection of international and environmental law and looks forward to exploring that connection firsthand at COP30.

    Lucia Niño Junyent

    Lucia Niño Junyent is a Spanish exchange student at the University of Miami who is studying a double degree in Law and International Relations at Esade in Barcelona. Lucia wants to pursue a career in international affairs and would be extremely interested in working for an international organization. She has a multicultural background having lived and studied in Cuba, Haiti and Belgium. She is very much looking forward to attending COP 30. She firmly believes that the fight against climate change represents one of the major challenges that the world faces and it must be tackled through multilateralism and cooperation.

    Delaney Reynolds

    Delaney is a fourth-generation Miamian who splits her time between Miami and No Name Key, where her family lives in a solar-powered home. A Foote Fellow and Singer Scholar at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School, she studies Marine Science and Coastal Geology with a minor in Climate Science and Policy. She is the founder and CEO of The Sink or Swim Project, serves on The CLEO Institute’s Board, and has spoken at the United Nations. Delaney has authored environmental children’s books, given a TEDx Talk, appeared in documentary programs, co-founded March for Science Miami, and is the lead Plaintiff in Florida’s youth climate lawsuit.

    Clara Tomé

    Clara Tomé is an LL.M. in Maritime Law student who received her J.D. from Miami Law in May 2025. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and international development with a minor in Portuguese from Tulane University. Clara is a member of the Charles C. Papy, Jr. Moot Court Board and previously served as a Corporate Accountability intern with the Human Rights Clinic. She also worked as a law clerk for Earthjustice’s Florida regional office. Her legal interests include litigation, maritime law, and environmental law. From Puerto Rico, she experienced climate impacts firsthand while living through Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.

    Andrew Tonioli

    Andrew Tonioli is a third-year law student at the University of Miami School of Law. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from The George Washington University. His background includes teaching in Miami-Dade County Public Schools and work in entrepreneurship, which informs his approach to law. Andrew is interested in emerging regulated industries, including blockchain technology and cannabis, and brings an entrepreneurial perspective to complex regulatory challenges. He is particularly focused on sustainable energy development and how technology can support climate solutions. At COP30, he hopes to learn how small island nations are developing strategies to address climate vulnerabilities and long-term resilience.

    Nicolas Vincenty

    Nicolas Vincenty is a third-year law student at the University of Miami School of Law. He earned his B.A. in History and Political Science, magna cum laude, from the University of North Florida. He is a member of the Environmental Law Society and worked in the Environmental Justice Clinic, addressing issues related to environmental justice and sustainability. Nicolas also previously worked with the U.S. Coast Guard, gaining experience in maritime operations and environmental protection. These experiences shaped his interest in the intersection of environmental law, maritime law, and international policy, where he hopes to build a career advancing equitable and sustainable governance.

    Isabella Arosemana

    Isabella Arosemena is a recent graduate from class of 2025's Ecosystem Science and Policy undergraduate program at UM. She studied anthropology and biology and is currently under review for publication with Citizen Science Theory and Practice Journal. She hopes to delve into international politics through COP30 as a precursor to a Master's in international relations.

    Peter Kellogg

    Peter is currently a senior on course to graduate December 2025 with a B.S. in Ecosystem Science and Policy and a minor in Economics. Additionally, he is involved with student government sustainability work as the external vice chair for ECO Agency. His career aspirations are in environmental law and he is from Miami, FL.

    Sydney Loebach

    Sydney is a senior from Davidson, North Carolina studying Ecosystem Science and Policy & Marine Affairs at the University of Miami. After graduation in the spring, she hopes to pursue a career related to the blue carbon industry, focusing on conservation and nature-based solutions.

    Ronen Wittenberg

    Ronen is a sophomore double majoring in Philosophy and Ecosystem Science & Policy with a minor in Business Law. His involvements include student government sustainability work with ECO Agency and publications as a writer with The Miami Hurricane student newspaper. Ronen is also a member of the PAD (Phi Alpha Delta) Pre-law fraternity and the Ultimate Frisbee team. Currently, Ronen is interested in pursuing a career in environmental law with a focus on sustainability business practices. His hometown is Oak Park, Illinois.

PAST EVENTS

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  • COP29 [2024] - Dispatches & Student Participants

    Dispatches from the Ground

    University of Miami Delegation Makes a Difference at COP29 – Prof. Jessica Owley
    COP Preparations – November 10, 2024

    For two weeks, government representatives from around the world are gathering in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to address climate change. This year’s focus is on advancing the Paris Agreement goals and financing the necessary actions. Building on previous successes, students and faculty from UM will present research, support small island delegations, and work with partners from Miami-Dade County and environmental NGOs. The UM delegation is coordinated by Professor Jessica Owley and Climate Law Fellow Valerie Fajardo, with a team of law students and an engineering PhD student. Visiting Professor Tracy Bach, an expert on international climate law, helped prepare the students.

    Working with Small Island Nations

    Six JD students support the Federated States of Micronesia (Alyssa, Dursun, Patrick for week one; Justin, John, Quinten for week two). Two JD students (Jayson for week one, Kyra for week two) support Samoa. Small island nations are among the hardest hit by climate change but often have small delegations due to funding constraints.

    UM Students with the Micronesian Delegation (L-R): John Dennis, Justin Alexander, Joshua Pangelinan, Lucille Apis-Overhoff, Tara Shaniah Arnold, Valerie Fajardo, H.E. Amb. Jeem Lippwe, Mahoney Mori, Quinten Smith

    At COP29, students assist long hours by tracking negotiations and performing research tasks.

    Supporting NGOs

    Two students work with nonprofit organizations:

    • Lorena (SJD student) supports the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), focusing on human rights, gender, and carbon markets.
    • Kyle Spohn (JD student) partners with Aksyon Klima Pilipinas (AKP), the largest climate action civil society network in the Philippines.

    Environmental NGOs like CIEL and AKP keep stakeholders informed and push negotiators toward stronger mitigation and adaptation policies.

    Bridging Local and International Efforts

    PhD student Danielle Bejar supports the Miami-Dade County Office of Resilience, summarizing events and fostering collaborations for the world’s first Heat Officer, Jane Gilbert. Local governments are crucial in climate action but lack official roles at treaty negotiations. UM’s partnership with the county continues from COP28 in Dubai.

    UM students and faculty contribute to global climate efforts while gaining unique learning experiences, witnessing negotiations, developing skills, and building networks as future climate leaders.

    COP29 Daily Dispatches

    Lights Out and Early Agenda Fight – Renee Valerie Fajardo
    Day 1 – November 11, 2024

    The conference opened emphasizing climate finance. COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev urged ambitious action on the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG). The plenary was suspended due to disagreements on agenda items, especially the Global Stocktake (GST). Late in the evening, discussions resumed with plans for further consultations.

    Negotiations on NCQG – Alyssa Huffman
    Day 2 – November 12, 2024

    Three years of negotiations prepared the NCQG framework, but it is insufficient and unbalanced. Parties disagreed on whether to build off the existing text or create a new framework. The biggest disputes involve the definition of climate finance and the role of private sector involvement. Negotiators face long nights to draft a workable framework for an ambitious NCQG.

    Adaptation and Small Island States – Jayson Fry
    Day 3 – November 13, 2024

    Adaptation discussions highlight the urgent challenges facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Rising seas, storms, and ecosystem degradation make adaptation essential for survival. SIDS stress that adaptation funding is critical, and developed nations must support vulnerable regions.

    Oceans and Pacific Island Delegates – Dursun Ersoz
    Day 4 – November 14, 2024

    Oceans received attention at pavilions and side events. Delegates highlighted the impacts of climate change on livelihoods, coral reefs, and fisheries. Nature-based mitigation, such as mangrove and coral reef preservation, is crucial but under-resourced.

    Funding Climate Technology – Patrick Roesser
    Day 5 – November 15, 2024

    The Poznan Strategic Programme on Technology Transfer (PSP) supports developing countries in climate tech development and transfer. Discussions continue on funding, priorities, and processes. While negotiations are slow, events provide hope with examples of green technology adoption and knowledge sharing.

    Article 6.4 Rules and Indigenous Rights – Lorena Zenteno
    Day 6 – November 16, 2024

    Controversial rules on carbon markets were adopted without proper debate, risking Indigenous rights and environmental integrity. Robust safeguards and inclusive governance are necessary for just climate solutions.

    National Adaptation Plans – Quinten Smith
    Day 9 – November 19, 2024

    Discussions on National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) were deferred to June 2025 due to focus on the NCQG. Funding is a central challenge, and Parties hope a strong NCQG can support NAP implementation.

    Energy-Efficient Cooling – Danielle Bejar
    Day 9 – November 19, 2024

    The Global Cooling Pledge promotes energy-efficient cooling as both mitigation and adaptation. Miami-Dade County was recognized for its participation, showing hope in the margins of COP29 despite stalled adaptation finance negotiations.

    Technology Implementation Programme – John Dennis
    Day 10 – November 20, 2024

    The TIP, created under the Paris Agreement, supports developing countries’ adaptation and mitigation. COP29 advanced the creation process but will continue details at the next COP.

    Loss and Damage – Kyle Spohn
    Day 10 – November 20, 2024

    Negotiations on the Warsaw Implementation Mechanism (WIM) stalled. Developing nations seek ambitious improvements to hold the Global North accountable, but little progress was made.

    NDCs – Kyra Frank
    Day 11 – November 21, 2024

    Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are central to the Paris Agreement. COP29 deferred discussions on NDC features to COP31 due to deep disagreements over ambition, guidance, and timing.

    Chairing Negotiations – Justin Alexander
    Day 11 – November 21, 2024

    Effective chairing is essential in multilateral climate negotiations. COP29 negotiations, particularly on finance, were slow and contentious, highlighting the challenge of balancing developed and developing country priorities.

    Participating Students

    Justin Alexander

    A 3L/Traurig LLM in Real Property Development student. He is from New Port Richey, Florida, and earned a B.S. in Urban Planning and Design from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Justin is currently a Fellow with the University of Miami School of Law Environmental Justice Clinic. Justin was previously a Food Justice Intern with the Environmental Justice Clinic during the 2023-2024 academic year and a summer associate at Heise Suarez Melville, P.A., during the summer of 2024. Justin has also clerked for the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes. Justin is an Articles and Comments Editor for Volume 15 of the University of Miami Race and Social Justice Law Review and a member of the Charles C. Papy, Jr. Moot Court Board.

    Danielle Bejar

    A PhD student from the University of Miami College of Engineering. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a master’s in ocean engineering from the University of Miami. Her current projects focus on energy efficiency in HVAC systems, developing innovative ways to deliver thermal comfort to a space while decreasing a building’s energy consumption. Aside from her PhD work, she is involved with a coral bleaching solutions project with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, discovering mechanical ways to alleviate a biological problem. Her attendance at COP29 is motivated by her interest in the collaboration between policy and engineering. Danielle serves as an example of the interdisciplinary work for climate change mitigation and adaptation. As she continues to build her technical expertise, she understands the need for organized communication and coordination between groups to propel solutions forward.

    John Dennis

    A third-year law student at the University of Miami School of Law. Before attending law school, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Geosciences from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. He currently serves as an Articles & Comments Editor for the University of Miami International and Comparative Law Review. In addition, he is a member of the Environmental Law Society. He is interested in pursuing a career in energy and natural resources law, with specific focus on law and policy related to effective, efficient, and sustainable energy systems. At the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP), he is interested in learning more about the discussions and negotiations that nations are engaged in relating to balanced transitions towards renewable energy sources, including the geopolitical and nation-specific factors that must be taken into consideration.

    Dursun Ersoz

    A Juris Doctor candidate at the University of Miami School of Law, anticipating graduation in May 2026. He also holds a Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, in Marine Transportation from the State University of New York Maritime College, and another Bachelor of Science in Maritime Transportation and Management Engineering from Istanbul Technical University Maritime Faculty.

    Dursun's professional journey showcases a strong connection to the maritime industry and environmental concerns. He is currently a Legal Intern at the United States Coast Guard Seventh District Legal, focusing on maritime law enforcement and military law. His past roles include Logistics Project Manager at Royal Caribbean Group, where he oversaw logistical plans for dry docks, and a Marine Surveyor at the National Cargo Bureau, Inc., conducting inspections and surveys related to hazardous materials and ship conditions. Dursun's motivation for attending COP stems from his deep understanding of the maritime sector and its intersection with climate change. His areas of interest include sustainable shipping practices, reducing emissions from maritime activities, and legal frameworks for addressing environmental challenges in the maritime domain..

    Kyra Frank

    A third-year law student at the University of Miami School of Law with a concentration in Environmental Law. She attended the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers University - New Brunswick for her undergraduate education where she studied environmental policy and philosophy. While in law school, Kyra has taken courses in environmental and land use law with a focus on environmental justice in land use decision making. During her second year of law school, Kyra was a member of Miami Law's team for the National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition at Pace University and an intern in the Environmental Justice Clinic. She is attending COP to gain a better understanding of the process of international environmental law-making and opportunities to further environmental justice goals within that process.

    Jayson Fry

    Earned his B.S. in International Affairs from Florida State University and is currently a J.D. candidate at the University of Miami School of Law. He is a junior staff editor on the Inter-American Law Review and serves as the IBA representative for the International Law Society, where he actively promotes engagement with international law and policy. Additionally, he interns at the Miami-Dade County Office of Resilience, conducting legal, regulatory, and policy research on key areas such as energy, land use, zoning, water management, and procurement, all with a focus on climate adaptation and sustainability. Jayson is particularly passionate about addressing the global challenges posed by climate change. His desire to attend COP29 stems from a commitment to engage in international discussions on climate resilience, adaptation, and sustainable development. By participating in COP29, he aims to further deepen his understanding of global climate policies, connect with experts and advocates, and bring back valuable insights to inform his work on local and national climate strategies.

    Alyssa Huffman

    A third-year law student in the Environmental Law Program. She received her B.S. in Marine Science and Biology from the University of Tampa. She is interested in multilevel governance, subnational climate efforts, and the social and cultural norms that influence the formation of climate policy. Alyssa is currently a student fellow in the Environmental Justice Clinic and a Senior Notes and Comments Editor on the International and Comparative Law Review.

    Patrick Roesser

    Born and raised in Key West, Florida, Patrick Roesser has been exposed to climate issues from an early age, having witnessed coral bleaching and the impact of Hurricane Wilma firsthand. While studying Economics at the University of Florida, he had the opportunity to work with Congressman Brian Mast in addressing the Blue-Green Algae crisis in the St. Lucie Estuary. While studying Law at the University of Miami, he worked as a research assistant for the Environmental Law Program. In 2023, Patrick attended the annual Everglades Action Day in Tallahassee, where activists from around the country spoke to state representatives about issues facing the Everglades and Florida's waters. This past summer, he worked as a Certified Legal Intern at the Anchorage, Alaska, District Attorney's Office. Patrick is looking forward to attending discussions surrounding water quality and land use.

    Quinten Smith

    A second-year law student from Palm Harbor, Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida in 2022 with a B.A. in Political Science, before moving to Miami to work at a local litigation boutique during his gap year. He quickly became involved with the Center for Ethics and Public Service at Miami Law as an intern with the Housing & Community Equity Project, focusing on issues facing the Coconut Grove Village West community. This past summer he worked as a judicial intern for the Hon. Darrin P. Gayles at the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Next year he will start as a Summer Associate at the Miami Office of Sidley Austin LLP, a multinational law firm. This fall he is continuing his service at the Southern District with the Hon. Edwin G. Torres, Chief Magistrate. He is currently a Junior Staff Editor for the University of Miami Law Review. His motivation for attending COP29 is rooted in his interest in environmental law and curbing the negative effects of climate change as a Florida native. At COP29, Quinten will focus on the conference's theme: climate finance. He is additionally excited to gain exposure to multilateral negotiations on an international stage.

    Kyle Spohn

    (Miami Law Class of 2026) graduated cum laude from the University of Florida in May 2023 with a B.S. in Business Management and a minor in Communications Studies and Spanish. He is a member of Miami Law’s Environmental Law Society and the First-Generation Law Association. Last summer, Kyle served as a HOPE Public Interest Fellow with the People’s Economic and Environmental Resiliency Group, working on a variety of local projects related to environmental justice and sustainable community development in Miami. He is currently serving as a legal intern for Miami Law’s Environmental Justice Clinic and is a Junior Staff Editor for the Inter-American Law Review. Kyle is interested in sustainable development and is excited to explore international climate policy at COP29.

    Lorena Zenteno

    A Chilean attorney specialized in human rights and environmental law, with significant experience as a former member of the judiciary in Chile. Since 2015, she has served as a Law Clerk at the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court and is an active participant in the National Association of the Chilean Judiciary's Environment and Human Rights Commission. Lorena holds an LL.M. in Environmental Law from the University of California, Davis, and a Master’s in Business Law from Pompeu Fabra University. She is currently pursuing an SJD at the University of Miami, focusing on climate change and human rights in Latin American courts. Currently, Lorena is a fall intern at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), where she supports research in the Climate Change and Human Rights and Fossil Economy Programs. Her scholarly contributions include an article in the Journal of Human Rights Practice on climate change litigation in Latin American courts, and a chapter for the upcoming book "Legal Challenges at the End of the Fossil Fuel Era: Shaping a Just and Clean Energy Transition," set to be published in October 2024.

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