November 12, 2024
SCARP is thrilled to celebrate that two of our students, Avery Chan and Brinnae Cooper, are joining an exclusive delegation representing UBC at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties!
About COP29
At the Conference of Parties (COP), governments assess and negotiate global efforts to advance the Paris Agreement and the Convention and to limit global warming, to 1.5°C as informed by the latest science. The annual Conference of the Parties (COP) brings together countries, civil society, companies and people on the frontline of climate change to accelerate action. 197 countries plus the European Union involved with the Convention, constituting near universal membership. 2024's Conference will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, this month.
UBC sends delegates
UBC holds “Official Observer” status and is allocated a set number of ‘badges’ that provide access to the negotiations and events. Following an open competition and a rigorous UBC selection committee, a delegation of 14 students and faculty will be participating (in-person and virtually) at COP29 from November 11 to November 22, 2024.
This is to date the largest group of virtual UBC delegates to attend a COP event.
UBC Sustainability says on the delegation, "Taking part in COP29 exemplifies our commitment to UBC's Climate Emergency Task Force Report recommendations, enabling us to drive change beyond our institutional boundaries and promoting a culture of engagement and advocacy for climate action."
By participating in COP29, UBC delegates will deepen their understanding of how global climate negotiations work, enhancing their research, programs, studies and activism. They're invited in the spirit that they share their experiences from this global gathering with the wider UBC community.
UBC's full delegation to COP29
The SCARPees attending
Avery Chan
Avery is a Master of Community and Regional Planning student. He previously completed a BSc in Environmental Sciences at UBC and has worked for a variety of local governments and non-profit organizations across BC. Coming from a background in public engagement and ecological research, he is broadly interested in planning for more sustainable cities through climate-informed land use and strategic planning. Currently, he works as a research assistant with the Urban Nature Design Research lab, helping with research on urban blue spaces and park usage.
Brinnae Cooper
Brinnae is a Master of Community and Regional Planning student with interests in creating healthier, more inclusive cities through environmental planning, climate change mitigation, and disaster risk reduction. She currently serves as the Professional Development Coordinator for the Planning Student Association. Prior to UBC SCARP, she received her Bachelor of Science with Honors in Biology, Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Chemistry, minor in Spanish, and certificate in Data Analysis at Drury University. While at Drury, she played on the women’s soccer team and served as vice president of the Honors Student Association.
Jubilant peer celebration among Avery and Brinnae's fellow students is well underway. As one SCARP student put it over social media: "the Brinn + Avery crossover episode at COP 29 is iconic!"
The students are excited to 'return' (it's a virtual attendance) with insights to share with their colleagues.