Penn at COP

Since organizing its first official delegation in 2021, Penn has been an active participant in the research and independent non-governmental organizations group (RINGO). Faculty, students, fellows, and staff apply for a limited number of week-long badges to engage in various roles, from contributing to committee work and supporting negotiations to implementing partnership programs and presenting at side-events.

The Kleinman Center for Energy Policy and Perry World House co-organize the delegation, with the Kleinman Center serving as the central hub for all UNFCCC-related communications and badge coordination. Through their diverse contributions, Penn attendees play a vital role in advancing global climate solutions.

Penn at COP29

Meet the delegation of Penn climate and energy leaders headed to COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

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As the leading body on campus, the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy serves as the key focal point for all UNFCCC news and meeting information.

UNFCCC / COP News

  • The secretariat is pleased to share with Parties and Observers, the attached letter on behalf of the President-Designate of  COP29/CMP19/CMA6 on the action agenda. (September 17, 2024)
  • RINGO, along with leadership from the other 8 constituencies met with the COP 28 and COP 29 presidencies. Discussed in meeting include negotiations: The presidency provided feedback on recent HOD and ministerial meetings and thoughts on progress towards alignment on outcomes. The joint letter from the constituencies to the presidency regarding pavilion spaces and in particular the civil society pavilion that has been a priority of several of our fellow constituencies (ENGO, TUNGO, WGC, Youth).We all developed a greater understanding of how the constituencies (and respective members) have different needs and priorities with respect to pavilions.  The constituencies will consult with each other and this will be revisited at next month’s meeting. The presidency will provide RINGO with an accounting of universities and research institutions that were granted space in the Blue Zone. If you received a blue zone pavilion and can let us know at beth@ringofocalpoint.org, that would be appreciated. Logistical challenges were raised including accommodations, accessibility of the venue and badges. With respect to accommodation – challenges raised included having bookings cancelled and being told to move to platform as well as non-refundable deposits – in particular a challenge with lower quotas.  We drew the presidency’s attention to the letter RINGO sent to ES Stiell highlighting the potential need to cancel accommodation reservations. The Presidency indicated that they will organize another meeting and include their logistical teams so that the challenges and concerns can be better addressed. Upcoming activities of the Presidency Troika (COP 28, 29 and 30 presidencies) -see July letter to parties and observers. Also discussed were presidency initiatives and pledges. Also – see the end of the most recent presidency letter to parties and observers for a list and dates of thematic days. (September 4, 2024)
  • Please refer to the letter that RINGO sent to ES Stiell on Friday. RINGO is concerned about the way in which the quota allocation has been revised, the lack of transparency and the impact it will have on civil society engagement as well as concerned that the intended goals will not be fulfilled.  We have requested that the allocations be revisited among other requests. (September 4, 2024)
  • A message to Parties and Observers regarding the topic to be discussed at the second hybrid dialogue under the United Arab Emirates Just Transition Work Programme (UAE JTWP) in 2024. (July 30, 2024)
  • A letter regarding the COP Presidencies Troika from the incoming COP 29 Presidency. (July 23, 2024)
  • A message from the co-chairs of the Adaptation Committee regarding the surveys to inform work on technical guidance and training materials to support implementation of the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience. The deadline for completing both surveys is Monday 12 August 2024. (July 19, 2024)
  • Information from the secretariat about COP29: 1) All foreign participants entering Azerbaijan for COP 29 and the pre-sessionals must have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Azerbaijan. 2) All COP 29 participants traveling from outside Azerbaijan will require a visa, regardless of their national passport. 3) The Azerbaijan Government has authorized an electronic, free-of-charge “COP 29 Special Visa”, for all COP 29 Azerbaijan registered participants.4) The COP 29 Special Visa allows the holder a single-entry visit. Should you wish to leave Azerbaijan and return during COP29 you must re-apply for the COP 29 Special Visa following the same process as you used previously, using your UNFCCC registration number. 5) Upon approval of registration via the UNFCCC Online Registration System, participants will receive a link to apply for the visa as part of the UNFCCC registration confirmation email. 6) The COP 29 Special Visa will indicate the date of issue and be valid until 30 November 2024. Visa holders must enter the Republic of Azerbaijan before this date. 7) Through the link, please visit the visa portal, fill out the form, upload the required documents, and submit it for approval. Once approved, you will receive the visa confirmation email with a link to download your COP29 Special Visa. 8) Participants are strongly encouraged to apply for the COP29 Special Visa promptly once their UNFCCC registration is confirmed. Please use the visa portal link in your UNFCCC registration email to track the status of your visa. For queries concerning visa arrangements, please contact: visas@unfccc.int. (July 8, 2024)
  • An invitation for submissions regarding the Eleventh technical expert dialogue and third meeting under the ad hoc work programme on the new collective quantified goal on climate finance. (July 5, 2024)
  • A message from Her Excellency Razan Al Mubarak, High-Level Champion of the COP 28 Presidency, and Ms. Nigar Arpadarai, High-Level Champion of the incoming COP 29 Presidency, calling for inputs to reflect on the progress made by the High-Level Champions and the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action. (June 4, 2024)
  • The Government of Azerbaijan, through its accommodation provider Bnetwork, has made special efforts to secure sufficient accommodation rooms for all delegates in Baku. Accommodation bookings are facilitated by Bnetwork and access to online booking website is available here https://cop29-accommodation.bnetwork.com for all COP registered participants.(May 24, 2024)
  • Message from the co-chairs of the ad hoc work program on the new collective quantified goal on climate finance on the tenth technical expert dialogue and the second meeting under the ad hoc work programme on the new collective quantified goal on climate finance. (May 10, 2024)
  • Message from the co-chairs of the Sharm El-Sheikh Dialogue on the first workshop under the Sharm el-Sheikh dialogue in 2024. (May 10, 2024)
  • A message from the co-chairs of the Sharm el-Sheikh dialogue on the scope of Article 2, paragraph 1(c), and its complementarity with Article 9 of the Paris Agreement. (May 6, 2024)

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