S5 Episode 7: COP 30, mega-cops, and meaningful participation with Hayley Walker

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Haley Walker from the Department of International Negotiation and Conflict Management, IÉSEG School of Management (Lille). We discuss the outcomes of COP30, held in Brazil, Dr. Walker’s insights into the successes and disappointments of COP30, and the disparity between expectations and actual outcomes. We hear about the differences between the negotiation and implementation facets of COP events, the increasing size of COPs post-Paris, and the challenges and potential solutions for effective participation and meaningful impact. Hayley emphasises the need to shift focus from negotiations to implementation and suggests greater utilisation of virtual participation and regional climate weeks to enhance inclusivity and effectiveness.00:48 Discussing COP 30 Outcomes02:22 Expectations vs. Reality at COP 3004:01 The Role of the Action Agenda06:02 Brazilian Presidency's Agenda Shift07:59 Cover Decisions and Their Impact 09:42 Research on Non-State Actors13:17 Media's Role in COP Coverage15:45 Negotiation vs. Implementation at COP21:29 Debunking Rage Bait in Climate Reporting22:21 The Real Fossil Fuel Lobbying Happens Elsewhere23:29 Youth Activism and Effective Climate Action 24:38 Understanding the Concept of Mega COPs26:42 Challenges of Overcrowded COPs27:17 Party Overflow and Its Implications31:56 Virtual Participation and Downsizing COPs34:11 Beyond COP: Year-Round Climate Work37:09 Media Perception and COP Legitimacy41:40 Concluding Thoughts and Future DirectionsThe Conversation: The problem with ‘mega-COPs’: can a 50,000-person conference still tackle climate change?Academic article: Access and meaningful participation of non-state actors in the UNFCCC process: path-dependencies in the era of ‘mega-COPs’In-person workshop: How to use CDA in your research projectLanguage & Power Podcast WebpageDiscourse Academy Webpage