United Nations Climate Conference

Each year, Tufts Institute of the Environment (TIE) sends delegates to represent Tufts University at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) annual Conference of the Parties (COP) . Through their status as observers, the Tufts delegates gain important insight into the discussions that frame global climate change policy and action. Attending this event has long impacted faculty and student research and continues to shape Tufts' sustainability policy.

ALL members of the Tufts community, including undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, staff and alumni, are eligible to apply to attend COP. In addition to attending the vital discussions of the event,  the Tufts delegates can participate in several activities, such as exhibits, side events, and a daily newsroom that provides regular, on-going communication and updates on COP decisions. Whilst at the conference, and upon their return, delegates in turn share the outcomes of this once-in-a-lifetime experience with the wider Tufts community.

First round applications to be a Tufts delegate for COP26 are now closed.

Delegation Selection

Because ALL Tufts members are eligible to attend this event, TIE often receives more first round applications than the quotas (i.e. number of delegate badges) that are allocated to Tufts by the UNFCCC. When this happens, a second round of applications is triggered and an interdisciplinary selection committee of Tufts faculty and staff is convened to review these applications. The selection committee will consider:  (i) professional and academic background, (ii) interest in the event, (iii) plan to secure funding, and (iv) expected contribution to Tufts’ participation at the event and upon return to the Tufts community. Preference is given to students who have not attended a COP event previously as a Tufts Observer and who are in the last year of their studies. Additionally, interdisciplinary diversity will be considered in convening the delegation. 

Event Logistics

In order to maximize the number of participants that can be sent to COP as Tufts Observers, the quotas allocated to Tufts are typically divided between the first and second weeks of this two-week conference. During the second round of the selection process, applicants will be asked to choose which week they would like to attend (Week 1 or Week 2).

For some past events, the UNFCCC has divided COP into two "zones": one zone that includes the plenary halls and meeting rooms designated specifically for the negotiations, and another zone to accommodate climate action events including side events, exhibits, media activities and country pavilions. Each year the UNFCCC announces whether COP will be organized into one or more zones, but please be aware that Tufts may receive varying quotas for each zone.

Funding

All attendees are expected to secure funding for their own, individual, travel needs (i.e. airfare, lodging, meals, etc.). During the second round of the selection process, applicants will be asked if they have secured funding or not. Please visit TIE's "Funding" page here to browse funding resources available at Tufts.

Timeline

Please note that due to the on-going Covid-19 situation, the below timeline may change subject to United Nations alterations in the application process and conference timeline. We will be sure to update this page with the most current information as it becomes available.

• Spring 2021: Once the COP location and dates have been announced, TIE solicits initial interest from Tufts members with a simple, first round application.
• June - July 2021: Once TIE receives the UNFCCC's quota(s) for the Tufts delegation, TIE will compare initial applications with the number of badges made available by the quota(s) to determine if a selection committee must be convened.
• July - August 2021: If necessary, TIE will initiate the second round of applications, and applications will be sent to the selection committee for selection of the delegates.
• August - September 2021: Applicants will be notified of their selection. Delegates will confirm their attendance by providing proof of travel. TIE will confirm all Tufts delegates in the UNFCCC's registration system. TIE will also coordinate pre-departure briefings for the Tufts delegates.
• October 31 - November 12, 2021 : COP26! TIE will host a de-briefing and dissemination session upon the Tufts delegation's return in order for the delegates to reflect on and share their valuable experiences with the wider Tufts community.

Tufts University SMFA alum Lucia Ravens discusses the call for urgency that was present at COP25. Whether it be in the negotiations or from the activists attending the COP, there was a sense of necessity when it came to combating carbon emissions and the use of green house gases. Read more here.