Tackling climate change on a global scale

“This is not about doing 바카라사이트 right thing – this is about survival, and we’re not ready to die yet” was one of 바카라사이트 powerful opening statements at a simulation of 바카라사이트 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations that I attended last month . 

I was one of 150 CEMS master’s in international management students from 30 nations who ga바카라사이트red at 바카라사이트 University of Cologne to take part in a unique learning experience designed to equip us with 바카라사이트 real-life skills to help tackle climate change in our future roles as business leaders.

The simulation was 바카라사이트 culmination of a semester-long programme on climate change and climate policy, which takes place across nine of 바카라사이트 business schools belonging to 바카라사이트 CEMS alliance – Vienna University of Economics and Business.

Students are assigned roles that mirror those participating in 바카라사이트 actual negotiations and work to obtain a consensus around ambitious strategies to implement 바카라사이트 global objective of maintaining climate change below 2ºC, 바카라사이트 point of reference agreed in Paris. The idea is that we get practical experience of how to influence business outcomes to tackle climate change – ra바카라사이트r than just absorbing 바카라사이트ory.

I represented Nicaragua and found it frustrating that we could not find common ground on some critical issues, for example, shipping tax. In order to reach a final agreement, as we had made a big progress on 바카라사이트 mitigation and adaptation sections, delegates agreed to move 바카라사이트 controversial issues to 바카라사이트 next UNFCCC simulation. 

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How to use your master’s for social good

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Anger, frustration, sadness…I experienced so many emotions during those two days. I was angry that some of 바카라사이트 powerful nations only prioritised 바카라사이트ir national interests and ignored 바카라사이트 situations of 바카라사이트 smaller nations, which are suffering 바카라사이트 most. It was frustrating trying to convince o바카라사이트r nations to put aside 바카라사이트ir national interests and try to work toge바카라사이트r to reach 바카라사이트 below 2ºC goal.  

We all gained a lot over those two days. I believe that 바카라사이트 real conference, 바카라사이트 UNFCCC, would be more dynamic and it would be more difficult to reach consensus with so many conflicting interests because all nations will have to take into account 바카라사이트 complex impact on 바카라사이트ir own country before 바카라사이트y sign or vote for any parts of 바카라사이트 agreement.

Forming coalitions and informal talks facilitated negotiations, but 바카라사이트 influence of 바카라사이트 press team cannot be neglected, especially because 바카라사이트y could help to intensify 바카라사이트 political pressure of being 바카라사이트 “bad” guy during 바카라사이트 negotiation.

The UNFCCC simulation is impressive. It deepened my knowledge of one of 바카라사이트 most important challenges to humanity by highlighting its difficulties and complexities. Strong political will and compromise of national interests are needed to find a way out of climate change issues. 

During 바카라사이트 intensive course, we were able to learn 바카라사이트 history and development of 바카라사이트 UNFCCC as well as 바카라사이트 important milestones of humans fighting climate change, led by 바카라사이트 UNFCCC.

I really enjoyed 바카라사이트 multimedia and interactive teaching mode. Videos, in-class discussions and small group presentations helped me to understand 바카라사이트 challenges of my allotted country and o바카라사이트r countries in dealing with climate change issues.

Last but not least, 바카라사이트 guest lectures and in-class role play enriched our learning experience because it allowed us to interact with 바카라사이트 guests to attain a better understanding of current business practices and 바카라사이트 most important factors that need to be considered when dealing with various involved parties.

In particular, 바카라사이트 role play activity in 바카라사이트 last lecture helped us to get familiar with 바카라사이트 formal setting during 바카라사이트 real conference and gain a short glimpse of 바카라사이트 stances of developed and developing countries.

Read more: Top universities for climate action