Edinburgh forum to discuss politics, policies and principles of UN climate change conference

The UN Climate Change Conference, taking place in Paris from 30th of November to 11th December 2015, is expected to be one of the biggest international politics events of the year. An interactive forum is being held at the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation on the 20th of November in advance of the Conference to discuss the issues at stake.

Organised by the Political Studies Association, Paris 2015: Politics, Policies and Principles will allow academics, policy-makers, NGOs, journalists and students the chance to discuss, inform, analyse and debate the issues under negotiation in Paris. Sandra Boyack MSP and Labour Spokesperson for Environmental Justice will welcome attendees in an opening address which will be followed by a series of roundtable discussions and group sessions led by experts in environmental politics, French politics, environmental governance and justice. A drinks reception will close the event, allowing those in attendance to network.

Following the event, which runs from 9:30am to 4:45pm, the organisers will write up short non-specialist briefing notes summarising the outcome of the forum for members of the press and practitioners.

Professor of Environmental Politics at the University of Edinburgh Elizabeth Bomberg said: 

“We’re incredibly excited about the forum. It’s not just a series of talks – it is a chance for academics, practitioners and interested citizens to discuss, debate and try to make sense of the climate challenges and opportunities awaiting leaders in Paris.”

Dr Nick Startin, Senior Lecturer in French and European Politics at the University of Bath and Co-convenor of the PSA French Politics and Policy Specialist Groupadded: 

“Given the Paris location of the forthcoming UN Climate Change conference the French Politics Specialist Group is delighted to be involved in the organisation and funding of this timely event in Edinburgh in conjunction with our colleagues who research Environmental Politics. Everyone is aware that the issues under discussion in Paris are of paramount importance and this forum in Edinburgh presents a great opportunity to unravel some of the complexities surrounding the debate on climate change.”

The forum is supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Festival of the Social Science, the Global Environment and Society Academy (University of Edinburgh), and Taylor Francis Journals, publishers of Environmental Politics journal and Contemporary French and Francophone Studies journal.

The event is free to attend but places must be booked via the PSA website at /events/paris-2015-politics-policies-and-principles. 

About the ESRC Festival of Social Science
The 13th annual Festival of Social Science takes place from 7-14 November 2015 with over 200 free events nationwide. Run by the Economic and Social Research Council, the Festival provides an opportunity for anyone to meet with some of the country’s leading social scientists and discover, discuss and debate the role that research plays in everyday life. With a whole range of creative and engaging events there’s something for everyone including businesses, charities, schools and government agencies. A full programme is available at www.esrc.ac.uk/festival. You can also join the discussion on Twitter using #esrcfestival.