
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.
This year, 11 UM students and 3 faculty members are heading to COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Get to know UM’s COP29 delegation and follow their progress as they dive into the complexities of the Paris Agreement process.
For two weeks, government representatives from around the world are gathering in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP 29) to discuss how to address the ongoing challenge of climate change. The big questions this year are how to move forward on the Paris Agreement goals and how to finance all the work that needs to be done. Building on the success of previous years, students and faculty from UM will be on the ground presenting research, supporting delegations from small island states, and working with partners from Miami-Dade County and environmental NGOs. UM's COP delegation will be coordinated by Professor Jessica Owley and Climate Law Fellow Valerie Fajardo, with a team of dedicated 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 At COP 29, island delegations are even smaller. Our students work long hours providing meaningful assistance by helping to keep track of negotiations and performing small research tasks. Supporting NGOs Bridging the Gap Between Local and International Efforts Local governments are important players in climate action but have no official role at the treaty negotiations. Only national governments have a place at the table and local governments don’t qualify as accredited observer organizations. Negotiations often discuss projects and initiatives that are best conducted at the local level. Outside the negotiation rooms, there are many presentations and conversations about local efforts and climate technologies. UM’s relationship with the county is a continuing one, having cooperated in COP 28 in Dubai, UAE last year. The University of Miami delegation is poised to make a significant impact in Baku while providing much-needed support to delegations and constituencies. By supporting small island nations, strengthening partnerships with environmental NGOs, and enhancing local government involvement, UM students and faculty will contribute to the global effort to address climate change. Not only will their dedication and expertise help ensure that the voices of the most vulnerable are heard and that progress is made towards a more sustainable future, but participating in COP29 also provides a unique learning experience for the students. As UM brings students to the COP for the fourth time, this opportunity allows them to witness firsthand the complexities of international climate negotiations, develop valuable skills, and establish networks that will serve them well in their future careers as climate leaders and advocates.COP Preparations - November 10, 2024
Six JD students (Alyssa, Dursun, and Patrick for week one; Justin, John, and Quinten for week two) are supporting the Federated States of Micronesia. Two JD students (Jayson for week one and Kyra for week two) are supporting the country of Samoa. Small developing island nations are among the hardest hit by climate change, but they often have the smallest delegations at the talks due to funding and logistical 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
Two of our students are working with nonprofit organizations. SJD student Lorena is supporting the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) working on a variety of issues related to human rights, gender, and carbon markets. JD student Kyle Spohn is partnering with Aksyon Klima Pilipinas, the largest civil society network for climate action in the Philippines. Environmental NGOs like AKP and CIEL play an essential role as engaged observer organizations, keeping people informed about and engaged in the talks while pushing negotiators to adopt ever-improving mitigation and adaptation policies.Kyle Spohn at a press conference hosted by Aksyon Klima Pilipinas on Nov. 18, 2024
PhD student Danielle Bejar will be the boots on the ground for the Miami-Dade County Office of Resilience, summarizing events and fostering collaborations for the world’s first Heat Officer, Jane Gilbert.
Climate activists staging a protest at the Baku Stadium The 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change opened today with a strong emphasis on the need for climate finance. COP 29 President Mukhtar Babayev -- Azerbaijan's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and formerly the Vice-President of Ecology for the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) -- urged Parties to deliver an ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG). The UNFCCC's Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, emphasized that "climate finance is not charity" and that ambitious action from all benefits everyone else. This was as far as they got. The Plenary session was suspended immediately after opening statements, owing to a disagreement on the agenda. Chief among the items of contention was the placement of discussions regarding the implementation of the Global Stocktake (GST). The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), the Least Developed States (LDCs), and the Environmental Integrity Group (EIG), among others, agree that all items of the GST must be carried forward for implementation. Meanwhile, the Like-Minded Developing Countries, the Arab Group, and the Africa Group agree that the focus of GST implementation should be narrowed to climate finance. Late in the evening of Day 1, Plenary was reconvened with Parties agreeing to retain discussions of GST implementation under finance with the understanding the the Presidency will undertake further consultations to resolve Parties' concerns. The UNFCCC COP is notorious for its long days and drawn-out discussions that leave Parties and other stakeholders dissatisfied with the outcomes. An 8-hour suspension of proceeedings even before the first negotiations can take place on highly contentious climate finance agenda items jeopardizes the potential ambition of the outcomes expected at COP 29. Negotiators, already exhausted from long lay-overs and the packed agenda, must now hustle if they are to deliver negotiable decision language before high-level ministers takeover discussions next week. Day 1 - November 11, 2024
Alyssa Huffman with Micronesia climate finance negotiator, Joshua Pangelinan Over the past three years, Parties to the Paris Agreement have engaged in negotiations and work programmes to prepare to finalize a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on Climate Finance at this year’s COP. The NCQG will aim to increase funding from developed to developing countries, building off of the 100 billion USD proffered in the current goal. However, these three years of work appear to have resulted in a framework negotiating text that is insufficient and “a mess.” At Tuesday’s Contact Group negotiation, Parties expressed their discontent with the text, which failed to incorporate all proposed provisions and remained extremely unbalanced in its priorities. Parties differed in their views as to how to approach the negotiations in the upcoming weeks in light of this problematic framework. Some wanted to still build off the text, worried that nothing better can be created in the next few days than something that took three years of negotiations to create. Others, particularly the G77 and China, Association of Small Island States (AOSIS), and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) wanted to scrap the framework entirely, arguing that the flaws were too great and burdensome on developing countries for it to serve as a viable starting point for negotiations. Ultimately, the Co-Chairs decided to work through the night to draft a new iteration of a negotiating framework that properly encompasses all the views expressed by Parties. However, Parties currently have extremely polarized viewpoints regarding a few matters, the biggest of which stems from a lack of a clear “climate finance” definition. Developing countries want climate finance to encompass new, additional, and public funds, with a particular emphasis on highly concessionary and grant-based funding. Developed countries, however, want to extensively involve the private sector in meeting their funding requirements. In addition, developed countries want to expand the contributor base of the fund. Currently, countries with emerging economies like China are not listed as contributors, as they are characterized as developing countries. Developed countries want these countries to increasingly contribute to the fund as circumstances allow, while developing countries view this as an attempt from the countries with the highest historical emissions to back-track on responsibility for those emissions. As a result of these numerous diverging issues, the new framework text of the NCQG will likely be very long with many unresolved provisions. Given that the Paris Agreement Presidency has asked a draft decision text with all technical issues resolved by Saturday evening, negotiators have a long few nights ahead of them if they hope to keep an ambitious NCQG alive.Day 2 - 12 November 2024
Jayson Fry with AOSIS Mitigation Coordinator, Toiata Uili, and Pacific Island Negotiators Attending COP29 has been an eye-opening experience, especially as adaptation discussions gain momentum and urgency. This year, one of the most impactful aspects of the conference for me has been witnessing how Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are taking center stage in negotiations. The reality of climate change for these nations is not a distant threat but a present crisis, one they are grappling with daily. For SIDS, adaptation isn't just a topic of theoretical debate—it’s a matter of survival. In the sessions and side events focused on adaptation, it’s become clear that while climate change impacts everyone, SIDS face uniquely intense challenges. Rising sea levels, increasing storm frequency and intensity, and the degradation of critical ecosystems are all compounding to make life increasingly untenable for these nations. Many representatives from SIDS have shared firsthand accounts of what they’re experiencing back home: homes washed away by rising tides, freshwater supplies contaminated, and agricultural lands becoming less viable. It’s a sobering reminder that adaptation is not a one-size-fits-all issue; it requires solutions that are specific, immediate, and well-funded. The discussions around adaptation financing have been some of the most interesting I’ve seen so far. SIDS have made it clear that, for them, adaptation funding is not an optional support but an absolute necessity. This is not only about building sea walls or implementing early warning systems but about ensuring that these countries remain livable. Yet, accessing adaptation finance remains a challenge. I’ve also been struck by how the representatives from SIDS have urged developed countries to take responsibility—not just for reducing emissions but for supporting adaptation efforts in vulnerable regions. This call for accountability is echoed throughout COP, and it feels like we’re reaching a tipping point where adaptation financing can no longer be sidelined or deferred. Being here, surrounded by advocates and leaders from SIDS, has deepened my understanding of how pressing adaptation is for these nations. It’s clear that for SIDS, adaptation isn’t just an item on the climate agenda; it’s a lifeline. The hope is that this urgency translates into concrete commitments that prioritize and empower these communities to face the climate challenges they’re already living through.Day 3 - November 13, 2024
Dursun Ersoz with Meaghan Cutty, Ocean Lead for the US Department of State, and law students from the University of Maine The oceans were not on the agenda at COP 29, but that does not mean they received no attention. There were countless opportunities to learn more at the pavilions from scientists, businesses, non-profits, and, most importantly, delegates from Pacific small island developing states who have experienced the worst of climate change impacts and who have the most to lose if drastic changes are not made by all nations. The pavilions at COP29 raised awareness on the fact that oceans are not only being impacted by climate change, but that they play a major role in mitigating climate change. Pacific delegates at this year's pavilion highlighted that while their very existence is at stake due to the projected sea level rise as a result of climate change, there are other risks that they are facing. While their livelihoods depends heavily on ocean resources, the increased ocean temperatures are destroying the coral reefs that support a delicate ecosystem. As a result, fish stock have begun to migrate, placing their economies at near-future risk. Pacific small island states are undertaking significant mitigation efforts, despite relatively insignificant greenhouse gas emissions. Speakers at side and pavilion events at COP29 highlighted their remarkable mitigation efforts in hopes of being an example for other nations. Scientists further highlighted the available nature-based mitigation and adaptation efforts such as establishing and preserving mangroves, seagrass, and coral reefs. These not only act as carbon sinks, but also promote biodiversity, protect the marine resources small islands heavily depend on, and provide a buffer against changing ocean conditions. One message was clear: although developing nations are implementing major mitigation efforts, they lack the resources to implement more adaptation measures.Day 4 - November 14, 2024
People working on laptops at the COP 29 computer center COP 29 has been an interesting example of how bogged down international law can be by process and conflicting interests. This week, I have been following negotiations related to technology. One item on the agenda is the Poznan Strategic Programme on Technology Transfer (PSP). While many developing countries struggle to keep afloat in the modern economy, they risk falling behind on their climate and development goals without technological support to participate in the markets that often have high barriers to entry while protecting their citizenry from the perils of climate change. The PSP seeks to provide funding to developing countries for climate technology development and transfer. It will complete its mandate in 2025 and now needs further guidance from Parties if it is to continue. Halfway through the two-week negotiations, Parties remained unable to agree on the way forward and PSP negotiations are uncertain to continue, given the already-packed schedule for Week 2. The Technology Mechanisms under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement need to catch up with the speed of developments to ensure that they are serving the needs of developing nations effectively. This is especially true for island nations—grouped under the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)—who will be some of the first victims of the impending climate disaster. These countries, along with other Least Developed Countries (LDCs) need significant support to develop and implement green mitigation and adaptation technologies to safeguard their population from rising sea levels, increased flooding and droughts, and the ruination of the large current streams. Hope outside the negotiation rooms The negotiations are not reflective of the climate technology field in general. The presentations happening alongside the negotiations provided an informative and hopeful outlook towards the development and diffusion of green technologies. Nations shared their unilateral actions to transfer mitigation and adaptation green technologies. Other events provided valuable insights into climate change developments. From high-level meetings about the state of global water basins to progress in Azerbaijan’s development of a green energy grid and the launching of the Global Matchmaking Platform for Industrial Decarbonization, there were many opportunities to learn about efforts being made to stop the climate crisis.Day 5 - November 15, 2024
Lorena Zenteno with UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change Elisa Morgera, and Indigenous Peoples Activists At the opening of COP29, Parties to the Paris Agreement adopted controversial rules on carbon markets under Article 6.4 mechanism of the Paris Agreement without adequate process or debate. This decision sets a troubling precedent, bypassing essential oversight and risking significant harm to human rights and environmental integrity. This rushed approval undermines trust in international climate negotiations by prioritizing a procedural “win” over a substantive review. The Supervisory Body for the Article 6.4 mechanism finalized the rules on carbon markets in October, enabling speculative carbon removal technologies like carbon capture and geoengineering. These approaches, already rejected at COP27 and COP28, fail to guarantee meaningful emissions reductions and open the door to practices that could harm vulnerable communities, particularly Indigenous Peoples. Despite the urgency to combat climate change, the decision to bypass States’ ability to review these rules undercuts their legitimacy and raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability. The approval of these rules disproportionately affects Indigenous communities, whose lands and livelihoods are often targeted for carbon offset projects. These markets allow polluters to buy carbon credits issued for lands protected from development, but many projects fail to deliver genuine emissions reductions. Without robust safeguards, such initiatives risk violating Indigenous Peoples’ rights, including their right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). This lack of oversight undermines Indigenous governance, land tenure, and traditional knowledge while exposing communities to exploitation. Francisco Calí Tzay, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, recently emphasized the need for a moratorium on carbon markets to prevent abuses of Indigenous rights. Such a pause could provide the necessary time to establish more robust safeguards and accountability measures, ensuring these mechanisms respect human rights and contribute to real climate action. To restore integrity to the Article 6.4 mechanism, Parties must issue strong guidance to the Supervisory Body, ensuring future rules are developed in consultation with affected communities. Inclusive governance, equitable benefits, and respect for Indigenous rights must form the foundation of any carbon market initiative. Carbon markets can only contribute to meaningful and just climate solutions through transparent, rights-based approaches.Day 6 – November 16, 2024
Although COP29 has been primarily focused on reaching agreement for the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, Parties to the Paris Agreement have been diligently working on other matters that are equally important, including plans to support the formulation and implementation of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). NAPs are a way for developing countries to identify their adaptation needs and strategies to address them. At COP29, Parties have tried to find common ground on adaptation financing and provision of technical assistance for implementation. However consensus remained elusive and Parties agreed today to push the matter to the mid-year meetings in June 2025 in Bonn, Germany, building on the work completed in Baku. “Shelving” the work on NAPs generated a lengthy procedural discussion. Some parties preferred for the COP29 work product to be considered an informal recommendation while others saw it as a draft decision that should generate action once adopted. Parties eventually reached compromise, agreeing to bring forward their work product to the mid-year meetings as a draft decision, with the understanding that further negotiations will take place in June. The immense focus on the NCQG seems to have drained capacity for negotiation in virtually all other areas, including NAP negotiations. This is not unexpected. A massive part of the NAP discussions revolved around financing. Formulating and implementing NAPs will require funding that developing country Parties hope a much larger NCQG can provide. One hopes that the NCQG adopted in COP 29 will be an ambitious one so Parties can build upon their NAP progress next summer. Day 9 – November 19, 2024
Climate activists presenting developed countries with their "climate invoice"
In COP, people often talk about “following” different issues and that can mean different things. For me, that means following adaptation through energy efficient cooling. I got the chance to attend the Global Cooling Pledge Roundtable, where many countries briefly discussed their energy efficiency and cooling initiatives. But it’s not only countries that have joined: notably, Miami-Dade County was among the cities recognized for signing on to the Pledge. Energy efficient cooling is both an adaptation and mitigation measure. Energy efficient cooling reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from energy use, mitigating climate change. Energy efficient cooling will become increasingly necessary as temperatures continue to rise. With sustainable cooling having a broad reach in climate action, it seems more and more countries and development agencies are becoming interested. The growth in adoption of national cooling plans stands in stark contrast to stalled negotiations on adaptation. Finance continues to loom large, with protesters calling for developed countries to pay their climate debt to developing countries. Yet in the margins of COP, there is hope. Maybe energy efficient cooling can help deliver on the climate progress countries so desperately need.Day 9 – November 19, 2024
Global Cooling Pledge Ministers and Heads of Delegation with UNEP and COP Leadership
Contrary to reports, COP 29 is more than climate finance. It’s about technology development and transfer too. The first Global Stocktake – a mechanism under the Paris Agreement that is meant to enhance the countries’ collective climate goals – created thge Technology Implementation Programme (TIP) to support developing countries’ adaptation and mitigation to climate change. The TIP’s two main goals are (1) to implement technology priorities identified by developing countries in their nationally determined contributions and other assessments related to technology; and (2) to address the challenges that developing countries face relating to climate technology. At COP 29, Parties to the Paris Agreement negotiated various aspects to operationalize the TIP, including its objectives, priorities, and challenges. For instance, how would TIP be funded? What is the process for choosing the developing countries to fund? Would TIP be an existing body under existing mechanisms? Or would a new body be created? On November 20, 2024, Parties agreed to take a step forward in creating the TIP by launching the process of its creation. Although progress was made on negotiations regarding specific aspects of the TIP, the Parties decided to work on specifics at the next COP, carrying forward their discussions at COP 29. Although the TIP is still in its infancy, the decision from this year marks significant progress in addressing climate technology concerns in regard to the Paris Agreement and its overarching goals.Day 10 – November 20, 2024
Even though COP29 has been labeled the “Finance COP”, Loss and damage (L&D) remains a crucial element of climate action. Through L&D, extremely vulnerable developing nations in the Global South seek to hold the Global North accountable for the effects of their historically high emissions. Developed nations of the Global North have denied this accountability, instead pointing the finger at private actors such as large fossil fuel companies. In 2013, Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change—the parent convention to the Paris Agreement—established the Warsaw Implementation Mechanism for Loss and Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts (“WIM”)to provide relief for developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts and have already begun to experience losses due to extreme weather, flooding, and drought. It continues to operate under the Paris Agreement, with Parties reviewing the WIM beginning in 2024 and every five years thereafter. This background sets the scene for negotiations around the WIM that took place at COP 29, where developing nations sought ambitious improvements in the strength and functionality of the WIM to provide desperately needed relief to their citizens. The Global North refused to budge in week one of the Conference, leading to a stalemate that left all progress at a standstill. The Presidency, to push the Parties towards an agreement, placed the WIM back on the agenda in week two for reconsideration. However, with Parties staunchly divided and the Global South standing their ground on ambitious reform, negotiations ended on Tuesday with almost nothing to show. According to Parties in the Global South, a half-baked compromise at the final hour is unacceptable. These negotiations send a clear message: developing countries will not compromise in holding developed countries accountable for climate change. Parties will reconvene next June and at COP 30 in Belém to continue to work on the Warsaw Implementation Mechanism as climate change effects continue to worsen around the world.Day 10 – November 20, 2024
UM Students, Kyle Spohn and Danielle Bejar, at the coordination meeting for Research and Independent Nongovernmental Organizations on 22 November 2024
Attending COP29 gives a peak into “how the sausage is made” when it comes to international climate change law-making. And as the saying implies, witnessing the messy, contentious negotiating process has not been easy. On the whole, COP29 has been plagued by diverging views and failure to reach consensus across a range of issues. The outcome of negotiations on the features of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) was no different. NDCs, voluntary commitments by each country to take action on climate change mitigation and adaptation, are the heart of the Paris agreement. All Parties to the Paris Agreement are required to submit updated NDCs every five years, with each new NDC reflecting an increasing level of ambition. Since adopting the Paris Agreement in 2015, all Parties have submitted at least one NDC, and the next round of NDCs are due in 2025. NDCs thus far have varied significantly in content and ambition level, with some Parties providing very brief statements of their goals and others going into more depth At COP29, Parties negotiated whether further guidance on the features of NDCs is needed and if so, what those features should be. From the start, Parties disagreed on whether such a conversation was even necessary. Like-Minded Developing Countries and the African Negotiating Group view the features of NDCs as fully articulated in the Paris Agreement and its accompanying decision, and that any attempt to further detail the features of NDCs would detract from the voluntary, nationally determined nature of NDCs. On the other hand, Parties led by the European Union, Small Island Developing States, and some developing countries in Latin America argued that further guidance on NDC features is needed to ensure that NDCs reflect maximum ambition and are comparable to one another. Parties also disagreed on the proper timing for the discussion of NDC features, if such a discussion was needed. Again, the Like-Minded Developing Countries and African Group aligned, arguing that it is too soon to discuss the features of NDCs. To them, it made more sense to wait until the next round of NDCs have been submitted and analyzed over the next two years. The European Union and Small Island Developing States opposed further delay, emphasizing the importance of having guidance as soon as possible to allow developing countries that need capacity building assistance to have time to integrate new guidance into their NDC development processes. Ultimately, the divergence between Parties on the issue of NDC features was too great to reach any substantive agreement. After hours of tense debate, the Parties narrowly averted leaving negotiations with no decision and came to a procedural agreement to delay further discussions of the features of NDCs until COP31 in November 2026. With that, the features of NDCs joined the growing list of agenda items deferred to future COPs.Day 11 – November 21, 2024
In any negotiation, Parties enter the room with information about their side which is hidden from the opposing party, such as opening offers, “walk-away” positions, and points of leverage. Countries telegraph their positions through their “interventions,” usually when proposing an edit to text or responding to a discussion item. An intervention above replacing a comma with a semicolon or fixing a spelling error almost always contains a clue for the others in the room. The art—or magic—of a multilateral climate negotiation is for the Chair – a Party negotiator who is plucked from their delegation to serve as an impartial referee between countries – to identify the Parties’ differing and overlapping positions and coax the room toward reaching a deal. This might happen before the negotiations begin, when Parties submit position statements and reject or accept draft negotiation texts. Once in the room, however, Chairs must spot signs of an impasse before they form or become entrenched in the Parties’ relations and take measures to engage disagreeing countries with compromises. Proactive chairing requires well-prepared and knowledgeable moderators and a connected background operation to give parties the space and incentive to close the deal. My observations of Week 2 of COP29 demonstrate the importance of a steady hand at the helm of climate negotiations, especially on matters as fraught and politically sensitive as climate finance. The COP 29 Presidency, led by Azerbaijan, quickly escalated the crown jewel of this year’s “finance COP”—the new collective quantified goal for finance (“NCQG”)—to government ministers during week 2. Nevertheless, negotiations on a host of other finance items, such as guidance to the major financial mechanisms of the Paris Agreement (Green Climate Fund, Global Environment Facility, Adaptation Fund, and Loss and Damage Fund), still carried on at the diplomatic level. Parties routinely registered their disapproval with the pace of negotiations and the approach being taken, and predominantly fell along a developed/developing fault line. Oftentimes, negotiations would proceed as line-by-line dissections of draft text—a format not suited to all types of consultations. Developed countries expressed their frustration with some Parties bogging down the room with small adjustments to text, rather than more concrete, substantive solutions. Many also raised issues with parties adding brackets around text upon which the parties previously agreed. Many developing countries also voiced concerns that developed countries would repeatedly revisit settled questions or take positions they viewed as inconsistent with the Paris Agreement and other instruments. A particular sticking point of the guidance consultations was whether the guidance proposed was too “managerial” or directive of the Boards of the Funds. Chairs frequently became flustered along with the parties, and upon hitting an impasse would usually dismiss parties into informal, ad-hoc “huddles” that rarely yielded compromises. While there have been notable successes, such as the adoption of Loss & Damage and Adaptation Fund text, the outcome has been slow, tedious eleventh-hour negotiations on some of the more contentious finance items. Ultimately, GCF and GEF were forwarded to the presidency with extensively bracketed text underscoring deep unresolved divisions between developed and developing countries. By managing negotiations using the tools of the UNFCCC Secretariat and COP 29 Presidency, the Chairs could have advanced meaningful compromises sooner and provided more substantive, effective decision text.Day 11 – November 21, 2024
Ms. Fajardo is the inaugural Climate and Environmental Law Fellow of the Environmental Law Program. Formerly a climate change legal and policy advisor, she has advised countries in Asia and the Pacific on international multilateral agreements, particularly the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, and the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement. She attended her first COP in 2017 as a law student studying international climate change law under Prof. Bach at the Vermont Law and Graduate School (then Vermont Law School). Since then, she has served as an intern for the UNFCCC Secretariat and, more recently, as a legal advisor to the Federated States of Micronesia.
Justin Alexander is 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 is 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 is 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 is 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 is 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 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 COP 29 stems from a commitment to engage in international discussions on climate resilience, adaptation, and sustainable development. By participating in COP 29, 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 is 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.
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 Mr. Roesser 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 has had the opportunity to work as a research assistant for the Environmental law Program. In 2023, Mr. Roesser attended the annual Everglades Action Day in Tallahassee, where activists from all around the country came and spoke to state representatives about issues facing the Everglades and Florida's waters. This last summer he worked as a Certified Legal Intern at the Anchorage, Alaska, District Attorney's Office. Mr. Roesser is looking forward to attending discussions surrounding water quality and land use.
Quinten is 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. Kyle is currently serving as a legal intern for Miami Law’ 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 COP 29.
Lorena Zenteno Villa is 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 Davis and a Master’s in Business Law from Pompeu Fabra University. She is currently enhancing her qualifications by 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.