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COP Action Weeks

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WLSA’s COP 29 ACTION WEEK concluded with an inspiring LIVE ONLINE EVENT on Sunday, December 8th!

Students from our associate schools across the USA, UK, China, India, Canada, Korea, and South Africa joined together for a lively and impactful session. They delved deep into climate justice and climate nationalism, critically examining the outcomes of COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

A standout moment was the climate negotiation roleplays, where delegates represented different countries, fostering a clear consensus on the need for transformative solutions and international cooperation. Students emphasized that while global efforts are crucial, local action is vital and their generation must have a strong voice in shaping the future.

WLSA COP Action Week: Addressing the Climate Crisis

WLSA’s COP Action Week tackles one of the most critical issues of the 21st century: climate change and wider environmental challenges. Climate change is undeniably the defining issue of our time. The scientific consensus is clear, and as climate change accelerates, so must our response. We need unprecedented urgency, courage, and collective effort to address the global threat of climate change. COP 29 Action Week aims to foster a unified purpose through diverse perspectives for meaningful action.

About COP Action Week

WLSA’s COP Action Weeks are designed to align with the UN Climate Change Conferences, providing a series of engaging learning experiences that address the core issues discussed at COP meetings. Our program emphasizes exposing students to a variety of perspectives and analyses that shape the perspectives of different regions worldwide. By understanding how others perceive and address these challenges, students can their own meaningful, inclusive and sustainable actions. COP Action Week culminates in a LIVE ON-LINE EVENT, which includes keynote addresses, break-out discussions and a climate negotiation role play. This provides a unique opportunity for students to have meaningful discourse with their peers elsewhere in the world.

Main Themes of COP Action Week

  • Climate Nationalism & Climate Justice

  • Threats to Biodiversity

  • Loss and Damage

  • Challenges to Reaching Climate Agreements

  • Understanding and Analysing COP Conferences

Highlights of COP 29 Action Week

  • Briefings on key climate issues: Comprehensive overviews of the most pressing climate topics.

  • Live online interactive student events: Engage in real-time discussions and activities.

  • Expert-led topical podcasts: Listen to insights from leading climate specialists.

  • COP simulation toolkit: Role-playing and simulation exercises.

  • Classroom resources: Materials designed to inform and support classroom debates and discussions.

WLSA’s COP Action Week seeks to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed to drive impactful climate action and contribute to a sustainable future.

Student feedback from past COP WEEKS:

  • "We recognized the bottom-up approach is also crucial—local communities need opportunities to engage in sustainable initiatives.“

  • "Hearing everyone’s perspectives made me realize that a compromise that feels small to one country can be huge to another."

  • "I think climate change is an extensive issue. The causes for it are everywhere, but at the same time, the idea of climate justice is critical. Not everyone suffers in the same way, and that’s really sad because many places suffering the most contribute the least to climate change. I had never heard about climate justice before looking at the resources you provided, but it really speaks to me."

  • "I really enjoyed learning about the lives of others in different parts of the world and how they viewed climate change and what perspectives they have. Trying to come up with a solution helped teach me about how coming up with a solution to such a devastating issue can be so difficult because of the geo-political aspect and how countries need to protect themselves in the short term but also protect the world in the long term."

  • "It was extremely interesting to hear how despite the varying perspectives of certain nations, we were still able to share our common perspectives and develop robust action plans. It just shows that despite our differences, we can come together and work towards a common goal."