State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

climate negotiations

  • Asia’s Glaciers Have Become a Diplomatic Talking Point

    Asia’s Glaciers Have Become a Diplomatic Talking Point

    As glaciers continue to shrink, important questions around glacier diplomacy and water supply played out among Central Asian nations during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kyrgyzstan.

  • From Cornwall to Columbia: One Climate and Society Student’s Interdisciplinary Worldview

    From Cornwall to Columbia: One Climate and Society Student’s Interdisciplinary Worldview

    Amy Campbell reflects on her journey to the Climate School, where she is currently a Fulbright scholar, focusing on climate risk and disaster preparedness.

  • Under Pressure, a (Simulated) Climate Agreement

    Under Pressure, a (Simulated) Climate Agreement

    Coming up with an international climate agreement is hard work. But the students at the Make It Work simulated negotiations in Paris managed to find a way, though they left disagreeing over just how effective the pact would be.

  • Learning to Compromise

    Learning to Compromise

    After countless hours of workshopping, brainstorming, writing, and rewriting, I thought that a consensus between parties would not be so far off. However, with 220 opinions boiled down into 42 delegations, it was painfully difficult.

  • Climate Negotiations as a Realistic Fiction

    Climate Negotiations as a Realistic Fiction

    In addition to what might be expected of a climate negotiations simulation, Make it Work enlisted the creative help of artists, actors and dancers to use stage work and meditative methods to improve the channels of communication.

Collage of Turkiye beach scene and Columbia University Campus with text: UN Climate Change Conference COP31, Antalya, Turkiye, Nov 9-20, 2026

COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More

  • Asia’s Glaciers Have Become a Diplomatic Talking Point

    Asia’s Glaciers Have Become a Diplomatic Talking Point

    As glaciers continue to shrink, important questions around glacier diplomacy and water supply played out among Central Asian nations during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kyrgyzstan.

  • From Cornwall to Columbia: One Climate and Society Student’s Interdisciplinary Worldview

    From Cornwall to Columbia: One Climate and Society Student’s Interdisciplinary Worldview

    Amy Campbell reflects on her journey to the Climate School, where she is currently a Fulbright scholar, focusing on climate risk and disaster preparedness.

  • Under Pressure, a (Simulated) Climate Agreement

    Under Pressure, a (Simulated) Climate Agreement

    Coming up with an international climate agreement is hard work. But the students at the Make It Work simulated negotiations in Paris managed to find a way, though they left disagreeing over just how effective the pact would be.

  • Learning to Compromise

    Learning to Compromise

    After countless hours of workshopping, brainstorming, writing, and rewriting, I thought that a consensus between parties would not be so far off. However, with 220 opinions boiled down into 42 delegations, it was painfully difficult.

  • Climate Negotiations as a Realistic Fiction

    Climate Negotiations as a Realistic Fiction

    In addition to what might be expected of a climate negotiations simulation, Make it Work enlisted the creative help of artists, actors and dancers to use stage work and meditative methods to improve the channels of communication.