KETU 3575 - The COP negotiations in the global climate change regime

FULL TITLE OF THE COURSE: The COP negotiations in the global climate change regime: perspectives, approaches & engagement of different actors

The objective is for students to acquire an in-depth understanding of the process of international COP

(Conference of the Parties) negotiations, and their role/importance within the global climate change regime

from a variety of different perspectives. More specifically, this class will combine both the acquisition of

theoretical knowledge, followed by practical engagement whereby students will be able to participate in

three different COP simulations, each time involving a different set of actors. The first simulation will

include national governments under a traditional COP format, to be followed by a second COP simulation

focusing on the European Union and its member states, and finally a COP involving non-Party stakeholders

representing cities, regions, the private sector and civil society. Each time, the focus will be on the latest

COP30, but will include elements from the few COPs before (COP26, 27, 28 and 29).

No prerequisites are needed for this class.

The class will be divided into three different parts, involving a different type of COP simulation each time:

• The first simulation will concentrate on the latest COP30, but will include elements from the

previous COPs (26-27-28-29), involving national delegations from around the world (except

Europe).

• The second simulation will focus on EU institutions and member states, involving both an internal

EU negotiation followed by a defense of common positions in the regular COP format.

• The third simulation will involve non-Party Stakeholders (sub-national and non-state actors) and

how they have sought to engage with the State-centric COP process.

Before each COP simulation, a ‘regular’ class will be held, with a discussion of the Cast Study File and

required readings, and preparations for the upcoming COP simulation, including the choice of roles for

students. The professor will also present background information on the subject of the forthcoming COP,

with questions from students and class discussions on the subject.

A Moodle will be created for this class. PowerPoint presentations from Sessions 1, 3 and 5 will be

uploaded on Moodle for students to consult, so that they may prepare their contributions to the COP

simulations. The required readings for the different sessions will also be available on Moodle and can be

downloaded directly by students.

Half of student grades (50%) will be based on an oral assessment, taking into consideration not only

contributions in the three COP simulations (40%), but also in-class discussions throughout the semester

(10%). The other half of the grade (50%) will involve a handwritten two-hour assessment during the final

class, where students will need to answer a question in relation to the roles they played in the three COP

simulations.

Before each class, students will need to prepare the coming session with a list of required reading material.

The professor will test students’ understanding of the material with questions and group discussions. This

will include the Case Study File, along with relevant academic articles which may be downloaded from

Moodle. A list of optional readings will also be provided.

Students will need to choose a role for each COP simulation and work on preparing their involvement in

the exercise, drawing on the readings and material covered in class. Students are expected to be able to

present and defend the positions supported by their chosen delegation/actor, based on the key themes

involved in the COP process. This will include preparation of a short summary of their chosen role ahead

of each COP simulation, in relation to the main topics of discussion, with potential cooperation and

common positions if two or more students have chosen the same or similar roles.