COP Participation and Engagement 

The COP Steering Group, an informal group within the Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy (CSDLP), coordinates the University’s participation in the UNFCCC process and activities around the annual Conference of the Parties (COP). 

Since 2021, the University has held observer status with the UNFCCC. This provides opportunities for staff and students to contribute to the UNFCCC process, including through submissions, side events and exhibitions, as well as participation in COP meetings and related activities. 

We are keen to hear from staff and students who are interested in engaging with COP and the wider UN climate process. This could include attending COP in person, contributing to a side event or exhibition, developing research and impact activities, or exploring opportunities for collaboration and engagement around the conference. 

How to get involved 

If you are interested in participating in a future COP, we invite you to submit a short expression of interest (up to 250 words). You do not need to have all the details of your proposed activity finalised at this stage. We are interested in understanding what you would like to do, how it connects with your work or studies, and what you hope to achieve. 

Your expression of interest could include: 

Rationale and proposed activity 

• What COP event, activity or opportunity are you interested in? 

• How does this connect with your existing or future research, teaching or studies? 

• Are there opportunities for impact, knowledge exchange, policy engagement or wider collaboration? 

• What would you hope to achieve through participating? 

Resources and practical arrangements 

• How do you anticipate funding the costs of participation, including travel, accommodation and subsistence? 

• What arrangements would enable you to participate in the relevant COP dates? 

• Are there any departmental or other arrangements that would support your participation? 

Expressions of interest can be submitted throughout the year and should be sent to CSDLP email address – csdlp@durham.ac.uk  

Our selection process 

The opportunities available to the University depend on the number of observer badges allocated by the UNFCCC Secretariat. Where opportunities to participate are limited, the Steering Group will consider expressions of interest in light of the relevance of the proposed activity, its connection to University research strategy, engagement or impact, and the practical arrangements for participation. 

If you have an idea for an activity, collaboration or engagement opportunity but are unsure whether it fits within the process, we encourage you to get in touch and discuss it with us. 

We welcome suggestions and ideas for how the University can contribute to, engage with and learn from the UNFCCC process and the wider climate policy community.