Mock COP imagines climate conference with students at the negotiating table

Students at the University of Leicester stepped into the roles of world leaders last week as they made their own attempts to negotiate a sustainable future between nations.

The Sustainability Council hosted a Mock COP event on 19 November, recreating the negotiations at the real COP30 hosted 5,000 miles away in Belém, in which students considered what COP would be like if they were the ones at the table.

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the largest global United Nations event for discussions and negotiations on climate change. The meeting is held annually, with the presidency rotating among the five UN-recognized regions.

By contrast, the Mock COP event brought together students in the University’s Sir Bob Burgess Building, where they represented delegations from a number of different countries. 

They opened the event by presenting their country’s position and interests in COP. With the safeguarding of the world’s forests high on the COP30 agenda, most delegates spoke in detail about the value of their country’s forests and their particular biodiversity.

They then broke out into groups to discuss issues such as cross-country partnerships, quantified goals for biodiversity and ocean protection, and integration of Indigenous communities into policy making. Solutions were debated on the part of the countries they represented, with proposals including a global network of firefighters to tackle wildfires, energy diversification through indigenous immunity schemes, expanding protected coastal areas, and more.

Mock COP then concluded with a vote by all representatives, with all resolutions passed successfully by majority vote – although there was still disagreements between the nations!

Mohammed Siddiqui, PhD student in engineering and Chair of University of Leicester Student Union's Sustainability Council, said: “Mock COP provided a rare opportunity for students to engage with the dynamics of international climate diplomacy. It translated global issues into a learning experience that built a deeper understanding of what meaningful climate action requires. My key takeaway was the quality of discussion in the room. Delegates approached the negotiations with professionalism, empathy and strategic thinking - traits that are essential for the future of climate leadership.”

Aleksej Gubka, Volunteering and Community Coordinator at University of Leicester Students' Union, said: “The Students’ Union is proud to provide a platform where young people can lead the way in sustainability. Through our student-led Sustainability Council, we have delivered an outstanding event that embodies what it truly means to be a Citizen of Change.

“Youth voices matter. Youth voices must be heard. This Mock COP demonstrated that young people care deeply about the future of our planet—and that care is a beacon of hope for generations to come.

“Our mission as a Union is to amplify this hope beyond our institution, empowering students to become the leaders who will rise to the challenge of tackling climate change. Together, we are shaping a future defined not by fear, but by action, resilience, and change.”

The University of Leicester also sent a delegation of experts to COP30, to bring the latest insights into climate change to policymakers and officials.