For over a decade, the University of Notre Dame has engaged with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP). The conference is the largest global event for discussions and negotiations on climate change. The meeting is held annually, with the presidency rotating among the five regions recognized by the United Nations. COP brings together global leaders, policymakers, scientists, and civil society to negotiate solutions and drive forward collective climate action.
In 2013, the University was granted a UNFCCC observer status, originally obtained through the work of Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN). Today, the observer pass is steered by Notre Dame Global, allowing the University to send delegates to the annual conference.
Over the past ten years Notre Dame has used its participation at COP to:
-
Provide students and faculty with learning experiences at the forefront of climate diplomacy
-
Contribute academic expertise to policy discussions
-
Highlight Notre Dame’s broader commitment to environmental stewardship, as inspired by Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato Si’ and the University's strategic goal of Caring for Our Common Home
In recent years, delegations coordinated by Notre Dame Global and the Keough School of Global Affairs have attended COP sessions, participated in panels, published insights, and strengthened global partnerships. These engagements reflect the University’s dedication to sustainability and climate change by integrating education, research, and policy impact on the world stage.
Contact
For more information on the University's COP engagement, contact Maggie Dankert, director of academic strategy and partnerships, who serves as the University’s designated point of contact for the UNFCCC observer status.
Recent Engagements
COP29 Baku, Azerbaijan
In November 2024, with the support of Notre Dame Global and Notre Dame Research, the University sent a team of faculty observers to COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Sessions at the conference included remarks and delegations from a diverse range of companies and organizations including Deloitte, CISCO, the World Economic Forum, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, McKinsey, Ashoka, and many others.
Related articles:
Notre Dame team including NDDCEL director attends UN COP29 global climate talks
COP28 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Notre Dame’s presence at COP28, in Dubai, included student reflections, expert commentary, and research-driven policy discussions.
Highlights include:
Dispatch from COP28: Learning from those on the frontlines of climate change (Keough School, Dec 2023)
Seven food and agriculture innovations needed to protect the climate (Keough School, Dec 2023)
The Road to COP28: Agricultural Innovations to Address Climate Change and Food Security (Keough School event, Nov 2023)
Keough School expert to play key role in COP28 climate talks on food systems (ND News, Nov 2023)
Looking Ahead
COP30 and Notre Dame’s Ongoing Commitment
In 2025, Brazil is hosting the 30th Conference of Parties (“COP30”) from November 10-21. It will take place in Belém, Pará, a city in the north of Brazil that is located in the heart of the Amazon. This chosen city will provide a unique platform to discuss climate solutions. For more information, visit the UNFCCC website or the COP30 Amazonia website.
As part of its ongoing commitment to global climate engagement, Notre Dame Global will continue to organize a university delegation to COP30. Faculty members are invited to apply for a place in the delegation as opportunities become available.
Apply to join the Notre Dame faculty delegation
In the lead-up to COP30, Notre Dame will also co-host a Pre-COP conference in Brazil, in partnership with the University of São Paulo, ND's Environmental Change Initiative, and the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership. The Bridging Worlds: Cultivating Research Partnerships for Climate Hope conference will bring together scholars, students, and local partners to explore the role of universities in shaping just and hopeful climate solutions.
Learn more about the Pre-COP conference