Global University Climate Forum 2023 Application
In November 2023, the United Nations convened the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The outcomes of COP27 were unsettling: while there was considerable enthusiasm and urgency, concrete commitments were, once again, largely postponed to the
following years. Pundits have warned that we must halve emissions by 2030 and again by 2040 and aim for neutrality by 2050. While we are still within the window of making that happen, it is narrowing quickly and will require swift action far beyond government commitments.
The University of Pennsylvania’s Environmental Innovations Initiative is leading the next iteration of the Global University Climate Forum in collaboration with the International Sustainable Campus Network to engage and inspire the next generation of climate leaders and showcase the value of academic institutions as the Knowledge Sector. Building on past successes (link to history) and lessons learned as well as current dialogues, the 2023 Forum will invite students to apply through four tracks:
Tracks
Track 1: Inspiration and Empowerment
Develop a creative approach to raising awareness and influencing others using tactics such as video, art, writing, games, community
events, or social media.
Track 4: Nature-Based Solutions
find a way to connect community members with their natural world – acknowledging our reliance on nature and our role as stewards.
Track 2: Ideas into Action
Propose a student-led climate-related project on campus or in the community that will affect measurable change over six months.
Track 5: Innovation & Imagination
Devise a way to help your school or community adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Track 3: Resilience
Devise a way to help your school or community adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Participation will require three phases:
Applications: proposals must be submitted through the official form (link to form), and may require refinement based on reviewer feedback.
Workshop attendance: each member of the team must attend at last three of the online workshops to be offered by the Forum.
Project Execution: teams will have 6 months to implement and test their ideas. During this time, they will be required to post monthly updates.
Successful participants will contribute to a publication to be issued following the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in the United Arab Emirates. Certificates will be granted to students who complete all three phases of the program.
Timeline
