How do countries discuss environmental policy initiatives surrounding the issues associated with global climate change?

 

In December 2010, I attended the 16th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Cancun, Mexico. Along with 20 other student delegates from my International Environmental Policy class, I had the unique opportunity to experience firsthand the knowledge-sharing, policy planning, and collaboration that takes place at an international conference.



Most of my time there was spent interacting with environmental non-profits and legislators from various countries who presented the latest mitigation and adaptation strategies currently being pursued by their respective countries. One of my favorite programs was a seminar presented by Israel that focused on the most efficient methods of irrigation for arid and semi-arid countries. It was very inspiring that they were willing to share their ideas and technologies with other nations that are currently or anticipating facing similar ramifications of climate change.



At the time, there was very little optimism that the conference would result in proactive and aggressive legislation surrounding climate change but there was some hope. One of the outcome of the summit was the adoption of an agreement that would create called the 'Green Climate Fund'. Although this did not move countries much further in the negotiations of specific legislation, it did reiterate the purpose of the Conference of the Parties. This conference, in particular, delivered a real sense of urgency that many regular conference attendees had not seen previously.



As one of the few students in the world allowed to attend the conference, I felt extremely lucky that I had the opportunity to attend and most importantly, share my experience with others when I returned to the U.S. It is very exciting that the discussion of legislation and exchange of knowledge did not end in Cancun as there have been two successive conferences dedicated to the same cause.  After attending the conference, I remain committed to the idea that addressing climate change requires the participation of all countries of the world and I hope that future negotiations result in a positive and influential outcome.