‘COP’ stands for ‘Conference of the Parties,’ a global gathering where countries negotiate and make decisions under UN conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification. More than a conference, COP includes structured scientific, technological, and policy-driven discussions, involving ministers and experts from each country. This process creates frameworks and agreements that countries adopt to address pressing environmental issues like climate change such as the Paris Agreement).
In this episode, host Erika Schiller is joined by Nathalie Flores), Vice-Chair of the Subsidiary for Science and Technology Body of UN Climate Change, to discuss the role of COP in advancing international climate policy and action. With COP29 in Azerbaijan in November, their conversation provides timely insights into what the event is, why it matters, and how it sets the stage for global agreements and national commitments.
Nathalie explains the significance of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in establishing markets for emissions reduction and discusses how countries meet climate targets through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
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**Episode Resources: **
United Nations Climate Change: https://unfccc.int/)
Conference of the Parties (COP): https://unfccc.int/process/bodies/supreme-bodies/conference-of-the-parties-cop)
Paris Agreement: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement)