Countdown to COP29: Experts Highlight Global Climate Action at Pre-Conference Roundtable
- Friday, 8 November 2024
On Friday 1 November 2024, Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai brought together climate action advocates and experts to discuss pivotal issues ahead of the upcoming 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
As nations prepare for the summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11-22, the roundtable aimed to shed light on the complex landscape of international climate negotiations.
The event was co-ordinated by Tejas Rao, adjunct lecturer in Climate Law at MDX Dubai, and PhD Student and Researcher at the Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge; and Mahine Ahmad, Senior Lecturer in Law at MDX Dubai.
The roundtable addressed five key topics crucial to the COP29 agenda: adaptation, mitigation, loss and damage/climate justice, climate finance, and the recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on climate obligations.
The panel discussed how to effectively build on COP28 that was held in Dubai last year, progress tracking on global goal adaptation and the strategies going forward for enhanced emissions reduction.
Speakers included Dr Tenia Kyriazi, Deputy Director Teaching & Learning, MDX Dubai; Dr Maria Antonieta Nestor, Affiliated Lecturer at the University of Cambridge; Layla El Wafi, Senior Lawyer at Standard Chartered Bank; Hafij Khan, Environment Lawyer at LDC Climate Change; Dr Pedro Schilling De Carvalho, Lecturer at University College London; and Jule Schnakenberg, Co-Ordinator for World’s Youth for Climate Justice.
Mahine said: “Following the historic achievements of COP28 in Dubai, our pre-COP29 briefing seminar at MDX Dubai marks another milestone as we launch the UAE's first comprehensive course in Global Climate Law and Governance.
“Building on our successful hosting of Climate Law and Governance Day 2023, this roundtable brought together leading experts to unpack critical themes from adaptation and climate finance to the groundbreaking ICJ Advisory Opinion.”
Tejas added: “As educators, we have a profound responsibility to not just teach climate governance, but to inspire the next generation of climate leaders.
“By connecting our students directly with practitioners working on loss and damage frameworks, ESG standards, and climate justice, we're transforming complex global challenges into tangible learning opportunities and empowering our students to go beyond the classroom and engage with the world out there.”
MDX Dubai offer a module in a Climate Law and Governance as part of students third year in LLB Law and LLB Law with International Relations undergraduate courses.
They also offer an MA in Global Governance and Sustainable Development. Designed to develop students' systematic critical awareness of the complexities that inhibit the ability of national and international policies to effectively address global challenges such as climate change and poverty.
There are places available to start on this course in January – apply now.
