York University holds observer status at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as a registered member of the “Research and Independent Non-Governmental Organizations” (RINGO) constituency: https://ringosnet.wordpress.com. The RINGO is one of the nine officially recognized constituencies in the UNFCCC. As a RINGO, York University is represented at the United Nations Climate Change negotiations within civil society and non-governmental organizations for the purpose of research advancement and dissemination.
This year, the delegation from York University to the 25th annual Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (known as COP25), is comprised of 11 climate change researchers and students from across the University, along with alumni and colleagues from other Canadian institutions. This is York’s largest accredited delegation since the University obtained observer status for COP15 in Copenhagen, in 2009. It includes members of the York University community who hail from Chile and have provided logistical support and guidance, as COP25 was to be hosted by Chile in Santiago.
Unfortunately, due to ongoing civil society protests in Santiago, the UNFCCC Secretariat announced on Nov. 1 that COP25 would be moved to Madrid, Spain, while retaining the Chilean presidency. York University’s UNFCCC Focal Point, Faculty of Science professor Dawn Bazely and Head of Delegation, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies professor Idil Boran, have been working with delegates as they navigate this fluid situation with its complex logistics.
While this year’s delegation membership process is closed, organizers are aware that many members of the York Community are interested in learning more about opportunities to participate as members of civil society and the research community for positive action, engagement, and knowledge-sharing on Global Warming and Climate Change. COP26 is scheduled to take place Nov. 9 to 20, 2020 and will be hosted by the United Kingdom in partnership with Italy. No further details have been officially released by the UNFCCC. The process to form a delegation will take place in 2020 following the UNFCCC timeline and guidelines.
Following COP25, the York University delegation will hold a reporting back session for the York University community. The reporting back session will take place early in 2020.