More than 25 students from the University of Chicago recently participated in the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan. The group consisted of 15 undergraduates and 10 graduate students who engaged in discussions and networking with global representatives.
The trip was organized by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth at UChicago, aiming to inspire future leaders in energy and climate change. This initiative was supported by various UChicago schools including Career Advancement, the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, Booth School of Business, Law School, and Harris School of Public Policy.
Sian McAllister, a fourth-year student, described the experience as “humbling and inspiring,” highlighting the dedication of thousands working towards environmental protection. The conference concluded with a significant agreement called the "New Collective Quantified Goal of Climate Finance" (NCQG), a $300 billion deal to support climate initiatives in developing countries.
Sativa Volbrecht from UChicago’s Energy Policy Institute emphasized that students had unique opportunities to interact with delegates during critical negotiations. She noted that attendees could hear diverse perspectives on climate issues not typically available in the U.S.
Katherine Tu from Harris Public Policy appreciated gaining a comprehensive view of climate policy through interactions with varied stakeholders. Iris Badezet-Delory expressed inspiration from innovative initiatives she encountered at COP29.
Seri Welsh focused on environmental justice topics at the conference. She observed frustration among developing nations over slow progress by major emitters. Elijah Jenkins connected deeply with discussions involving small island nations and Indigenous communities.
Elena Tiedens recognized COP's role in addressing global inequalities within climate solutions. Sam Marsden viewed COP29 as an opportunity to understand both challenges and efforts towards sustainability.
Overall, COP29 provided UChicago students with valuable insights into global climate policies and their complexities.