The Multilateral Engagement Working Group is responsible for overseeing applications and guiding participation in multilateral events, including UNFCCC activities and COP conferences. Our role is to ensure a fair and transparent selection process, helping to identify participants who can contribute meaningfully to global climate discussions.
We review applications, make decisions on attendance, and provide support and guidance to successful applicants. By carefully managing this process, we aim to facilitate impactful engagement with international climate negotiations and initiatives.
Membership:
Chair: Prof Celine Tan - Professor of International Economic Law
Prof Stéphanie Panichelli-Batalla - Academic Director (Sustainability)
Emily Lim – Associate Director (Asia, Americas & Middle East), International Strategy and Relations
Dr Tom Ritchie – Reader, Chemistry and Co-Director of the Education for Sustainable Development Network
Hopi Sen - Director of Public Affairs and Policy, WMG
Dr Carla Washbourne - Reader, Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies
Secretary: Evelin Sanderson-Nichols - Sustainability Coordinator, Energy and Sustainability Team, Estates
Role and Remit:
Design and implement an application and selection process for potential delegates (if a delegation is to be sent)
Establish and agree a timeline for the delegations election and preparation process
Coordinate the application for sustainability-related multilateral event delegation spaces (typically June of the COP year)
Determine the allocation process sustainability-related multilateral event spaces
Make a proposed selection of participants to COP or other relevant events and submit to Sustainability Committee for approval
Identify and develop necessary training for selected delegation members to support meaningful participation
Develop University behaviour guidelines specific to sustainability-related multilateral event delegation attendees and ensure participants adhere to University and UNFCCC behaviour guidelines
Explore and advise on broader University engagement with sustainability-related events
Governance
Proposed decisions will be submitted to the Sustainability Committee for approval.
Each year, we invite members of the University community to apply to attend UNFCCC meetings through our Multilateral Engagement Working Group. We receive more applications than spaces allocated to us by the UNFCCC secretariat so all applications go through a selection process. Our decisions are based on the information provided in your application, so we encourage you to take care when completing it and to make sure it accurately reflects your experience, motivations, and what you hope to contribute.
Please be aware that the number of spaces we can offer is outside our control and may vary from year to year. Selection decisions are made based on the available spaces(badges)at the time. We are also unable to accept applications submitted after the deadline has passed, regardless of circumstances.
It is important to note that the University does not currently send official delegations to UNFCCC events. All selected applicants attend in an individual capacity and represent themselves, not the University. Should this change andthe Universityparticipatesin an officialcapacity,this will be clearly communicated on the relevant sign-up pages before you apply.
If you have questions about the process before applying, we encourage you to get in touch ahead of the deadline. We are not able to give feedback on individual applications or review late submissions, but we are happy to clarify anything about the process itself.
Please send all enquiries to: sustainability@warwick.ac.uk
