Next month, a team of nine students and two staff members from the School of Design and the Built Environment (DBE) will contribute to the global climate conversation at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

COP29 will bring together leaders from government, business, and nonprofit sectors to focus on advancing solutions to the climate crisis. Sponsored by DBE, Curtin’s students will participate in discussions on actionable solutions, with an emphasis on the significant funding needed to reduce emissions and protect vulnerable communities.

The COP29 event will feature two main zones: the Blue Zone and the Green Zone. The Blue Zone, managed by the UNFCCC, is open to accredited delegates only and will host formal negotiations, the World Climate Action Summit and country pavilions. The Green Zone, managed by the COP29 Presidency, will be open to non-accredited delegates such as businesses, the public, youth groups, civil society, academia and artists. This space offers a platform for the private sector to showcase their contributions to the global climate challenge through innovative approaches, climate action technologies and entrepreneurship.

Associate Professor Atiq Zaman will represent both the Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute and the United Nations Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition in the Blue Zone, where critical negotiations and high-level discussions occur, accompanied by four students. In the Green Zone, Dr Vanessa Galvin (Architecture) will guide five students as they engage in community-driven initiatives and collaborate with global stakeholders.

A special thank you to Professor Sue Anne Ware, Head of School (DBE) for her support and sponsorship, which has enabled this opportunity, and to Jessie Parrish (Project Manager UN Sustainable Development Goals) and Jake Schapper for their invaluable mentorship.

Thank you to everyone involved in empowering these students as emerging climate leaders and giving them this invaluable experience on the global stage at COP29.

Associate Professor Atiq Zaman (far left), Professor Sue Anne Ware (second from left), Dr Vanessa Galvin (fourth from right), Jessie Parrish (far right) with some of the student representatives.