Mock Climate Negotiation

Objective

Students will simulate international climate negotiations to understand:

  • Complexities of policymaking
  • Explore the dynamics of global cooperation
  • Gain practical skills and insights into the roles of different stakeholders in addressing climate change

Session Structure

Preparation Phase (Pre-Negotiation)

Duration: 1-2 months prior to the simulation

  • Topic Assignment: Assign each student or group to represent a specific country or stakeholder group (e.g., industrialized nations, developing nations, small island states, NGOs, or business representatives).

  • Background Research: Students will research their assigned country’s or group’s:

    • Greenhouse gas emissions profile1
    • Economic priorities and vulnerabilities2
    • Climate commitments under the Paris Agreement3
    • Political and social challenges
    • Negotiation History

  • Deliverables:

    • A one-page position paper summarizing their negotiation stance.
    • A brief 2-3 minute opening statement outlining their priorities.

Simulation Day

Duration: 2-3 hours

Step 1: Opening Statements (10-15 minutes)

Each delegation presents their country’s or group’s position, highlighting key goals and red lines.

Step 2: Negotiation Rounds (1-1.5 hours)

  • Round 1: Regional and Bloc Discussions (30 minutes)

Countries form groups based on alliances or shared interests (e.g., EU, G77, Umbrella Group). Each bloc formulates a unified stance on key negotiation topics such as mitigation targets, financing, and adaptation measures.

  • Round 2: Plenary Negotiations (30 minutes)

Delegations present their bloc’s positions and negotiate with other blocs to find areas of compromise. Use a moderator (instructor or student volunteer) to guide the discussion and ensure adherence to time limits (3 minutes maximum for each presentation).

Step 3: Final Agreement (30 minutes)

Delegations draft and vote on a final agreement. Achieving consensus is ideal but not mandatory; differing levels of agreement can reflect real-world outcomes.

Debrief and Reflection Phase (Post-Negotiation)

Duration: 30-45 minutes

  • Class Discussion:

    • What were the main challenges in reaching an agreement?
    • How did power dynamics and disparities influence the negotiations?
    • What lessons can be applied to real-world climate policymaking?

  • Individual Reflection:

Students write a short essay (1-2 pages) discussing their experiences, including what they learned about their assigned role and the overall negotiation process.

Topics and Organization

Key Topics for Negotiation

  1. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Ambition levels and timeline commitments.
  2. Climate Finance: Funding mechanisms to support developing nations in mitigation and adaptation.
  3. Loss and Damage: Compensation for climate-related damages in vulnerable nations.
  4. Technological Transfers: Strategies for sharing clean energy technologies.
  5. Global Stocktake: Review and accountability mechanisms.
  6. Adaptation: Strategies for responding to climate change.

Logistics and Organization

  • Materials:

    • Printed negotiation rules and position guidelines.
    • Nameplates for country/stakeholder delegations.
    • Access to a whiteboard or digital tool for drafting agreements.

  • Room Setup: Arrange desks in a U-shaped configuration to encourage discussion and create a formal negotiation atmosphere. Online Zoom virtual negotiation room background.

  • Role of Instructor:

    • Act as the Chair to facilitate the simulation and keep time.
    • Intervene only when necessary to ensure productive dialogue.

Learning Outcomes

Students will learn:

  1. Understand the complexity of international climate negotiations and the importance of consensus-building.
  2. Develop skills in public speaking, negotiation, and teamwork.
  3. Gain empathy for the diverse perspectives and constraints of global stakeholders.

References

C-ROADS Climate Change Policy Simulator