STeP fellows explore international climate negotiations
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In an educational experience, fellows from the Science, Technology, and Policy Fellowship Program (STeP) at the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research explored the complexities of international climate negotiations in sessions led by Dr. Carol Franco, a member of the IAI’s Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC). The sessions addressed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)" and conflict resolution and consensus building.
Within the framework of the STeP professional development program, fellows had a "behind-the-scenes look," where Dr. Franco, with her experience as a member of the Dominican Republic's delegation since 2012, shared practical examples. These highlighted the essential balance between technical knowledge and negotiation skills. After grasping the intricate mechanisms and strategies for successful negotiations, one of the fellows desired to find more efficient and alternative methods for more ambitious agreements on climate change.
Dr. Franco explained that the only way to make significant changes would be to modify the articles of the convention (UNFCCC), thereby opening the possibility for various transformations. Although she understood the perspective of seeking efficiency, she warned about the risk of ending up without a convention or with a version detrimental to developing countries, emphasizing the importance of supporting these nations most affected by climate change.
With a particular focus on the developing countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, fellows participated in discussions on the regional agenda for the Conference of the Parties (CoP28) in the United Arab Emirates. As part of the preparation, they engaged in a negotiation simulation on agriculture and food security, addressing one of the region's most pressing issues.
During the simulation, fellows negotiated the implementation and operationalization of climate action in agriculture, addressing the global relevance of these issues. With projections indicating that 2030 climate change could push 132 million people into extreme poverty in developing countries, they recognized the vulnerability of key groups and the critical importance of increasing funding and technology transfer for the agricultural sector.
While there is consensus on the importance of climate issues, fellows recognize that negotiation skills are crucial to turning discussions into concrete actions. Dr. Franco concluded by reminding fellows that much can be achieved, encouraging them to work with communities, in the field, and engage in dialogue with people at the local and national levels.
If you would like to learn more about the STeP program, visit https://www.iai.int/en/step
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