Antrim researcher joins international COP31 climate negotiations in Egypt
Ross has also visited China to see how technology and robots are integrated into daily life.
AN Antrim man has recently returned from Cairo, Egypt, where he was fortunate enough to participate in an international COP31 climate conference simulation hosted by the British University in Egypt (BUE), with Queen's University Belfast among its UK university partners.
The real COP31 event is now making global headlines.
This was the largest edition of the programme yet, bringing together around 150 young climate leaders from 115 universities across 43 countries. Over 3,000 people applied, with only a small proportion selected to take part in the international climate negotiations.
The programme recreated the negotiations that take place at the real United Nations climate conferences.
Ross explained: “I worked within the simulated UNFCCC Secretariat, focusing on climate adaptation and just transition, helping develop policy proposals and work towards a shared climate declaration.
“It was an incredible experience, particularly seeing people from so many different countries and backgrounds working together to tackle some of the world's biggest challenges. Selected outcomes from the simulation were also intended to feed into discussions at the real COP31 in Antalya.
“As someone originally from Antrim, now undertaking a PhD in sustainable energy at Queen's University Belfast, it was a fantastic opportunity to experience the policy and diplomacy side of the energy transition alongside my engineering research.
Ross Edwards is originally from the Loanends area and attended the local primary and Antrim Grammar School.
He recently had the opportunity to represent Queen’s University Belfast at a green-energy leadership programme hosted by North China Electric Power University in Beijing, as part of the UCEER and the British Council.
Mr Edwards is studying for a PhD on sustainability and mechanical engineering.
The COP Simulation Programme is a youth-led programme organised by The British University in Egypt (BUE) and The United Nations Development Programme Egypt (UNDP). It brings together students from around the world to simulate the roles of country delegates and international climate stakeholders, mirroring the dynamics of the United Nations Climate Change Conferences (COPs).
This joint annual initiative is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and The British Embassy in Egypt, with the continued support of H.E. Professor Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Honorary Chair of the COP Simulation Programme.