Edinburgh Forum To Discuss Politics, Policies And Principles Of UN Climate Change Conference

The UN Climate Change Conference, taking place this year in Paris from November 30 to December 11, 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 November 20 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.

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 Group added: “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 runs from 9:30am to 4:45pm. The event is free to attend but places must be booked via the PSA website here.