Law & Justice students at Pacific Climate Pre-COP31

UNSW Law & Justice students are at the Pacific Pre-Cop31, Vale ni Vanua event in Fiji. The Pre-COP3 is a precursor to the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31),  the annual global gathering to address climate change. The Pre-COP event is jointly hosted by Australia, Fiji & Tuvalu with all nations of the Pacific region – with a focus on amplifying Pacific voices and advancing solutions aligned with the region’s key climate priorities ahead of COP31. The students are supporting the Fiji delegation throughout the week.

A number of UNSW students will also go to COP31 in Türkiye during November to support delegations of the Pacific and other island nations and groups during these negotiations.

This intern placement at Pre-COP provides up-close experience in how Pacific nations use these events to draw attention to the unique challenges they face in the climate crisis and to shape the agenda and actions for a global response. 

Students also see the outcomes of the ongoing work through the Centre for Sustainable Development Reform (CSDR) to support Pacific partners to develop Pacific-led solutions to inform the COP31 agenda. Students are able to attend a number of in-person only side-events hosted or involving CSDR staff including Eliza Northrop,  Arthur Sokimi & Dr Edoardo Santagata.  Topics include decarbonisation of Pacific shipping and new finance models for the region developed out of Niue.

From the students:

I see this as an invaluable experience to hear direct perspectives from nations most affected by the climate crisis and better understand how international climate diplomacy actually unfolds on the ground.
Joanne Lee | Bachelor of Laws / International Studies

I am keenly interested in the diplomatic, negotiation processes around climate change, and being able to witness the technical deliberations while also engaging with various civil society stakeholders. It will be great preparation for COP31.
Minh Son Nguyen  |  Law/Commerce

I'm excited to understand the global side of climate policy, especially from a Pacific perspective. I'm also looking forward to getting a taste of international diplomacy ahead of COP31, which I'll be attending with the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner.
Anika Townley, Law/PPE