The inaugural Warwick Climate Negotiating Forum (WCNF) took place at the University across two days last month. Run by students and led by GLOBUS Warwick, the student-run online journal at the School for Cross-faculty Studies, this project was the first of its kind at the University. The event gave students the opportunity to experience global climate negotiations first-hand, in a setting that encouraged a rounded learning experience by inviting guest speakers and offering a number of workshops.

WCNF 2019 simulated the United Nations' annual Conference of the Parties (COP) negotiations, assessing progress in dealing with climate change. Students applied to become delegates, representing one of fourteen nations or the European Union in teams. Delegates worked to negotiate a broad range of goals compatible with 1.5 degrees of global warming.

The event began on Friday 25 October 2019 with a keynote address by Natalie Bennett, currently one of two Green Party members of the House of Lords and leader of the party from 2012 to 2016.

Starting now @WarwickCNF with the bad news.

I am going to bring in the good news: there are enough resources in the world for everyone to have a decent life and care for the planet. #ClimateEmergency pic.twitter.com/lGc5X1T9M0

— Natalie Bennett (@natalieben) October 25, 2019

The session on the Friday also included a Delegates' Welcome from Vice President of WCNF Kasia Jaworska, a second year Life Sciences and GSD student, and a President's Welcome from Todd Olive, a final year Economic Studies and GSD student.

“It is our hope that by joining us at this groundbreaking forum, you’ll be able to go out into the world next Monday and make a difference” - @onlytheolive #wcnf2019 pic.twitter.com/u0o4csG9yO

— Warwick Climate Negotiating Forum (@WarwickCNF) October 25, 2019

On Saturday 26 October 2019, the forum welcomed Dr Jess Savage, a Senior Teaching Fellow in Global Sustainable Development, who delivered a talk on climate change and biodiversity. Dr Alastair Smith, another Senior Teaching Fellow in our Department also took to the stage, presenting on globalism, nationalism and climate policy.

The delegates are arriving! Here are some of the delegates representing Chile today for the climate negotiations #wcnf2019 pic.twitter.com/EhX1MHxFTc

— Warwick Climate Negotiating Forum (@WarwickCNF) October 26, 2019

Skills-based workshops on the Saturday included a session from the Warwick Behavioural Insight Team, inviting participants to explore key techniques founded in behavioural science, for encouraging and influencing individuals’ behaviours, in support of global climate action.

An excellent example of politics in action! Climate Negotiations are well underway at @WarwickCNF #WCNF2019 pic.twitter.com/ns1K4zuaLF

— Jess (@MajessticallyS) October 26, 2019