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Mock COP30 Simulation in University College Cork
Huge thanks to UCC Sustainability Institute’s Fionn Rogan for his leadership in steering the negotiations
The exercise mirrored the real-world political landscape of hashtagUNFCCC, dividing participants into six key negotiating blocks:
❇️ United States
❇️ European Union
❇️ Other Developed Nations (e.g., Canada, Japan)
❇️ China
❇️ India
❇️ Other Developing Nations (Africa, South America, Small Island States, etc.)
The simulation brought to life the immense challenges and trade-offs inherent in these negotiations. As Brian Ó Gallachóir highlighted in his opening remarks, there is a constant "tension between urgency and politics." This was palpable in the room, particularly around the difficult position of developing nations, who must often justify their climate spending to developed countries.
Key takeaways from the debrief:
1. The process is inherently complex and often unsatisfactory, with one delegate noting, "we are all going home unsure."
2. The US delegation was particularly strict with its demands, illustrating the hardline positions that can stall progress.
3. Images and storytelling were emphasised as powerful tools in advocacy, cutting through technical jargon to convey real-world impact.