In December 2019, Idil Boran was in Madrid, Spain at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) leading York University’s largest observer delegation since 2009, when York University was first admitted as an observer organization in time for COP15 in Copenhagen.
Boran is an associate professor at York University’s Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS).
“The UN Climate Change Conference in Madrid was a golden opportunity for the international community to show ambition for mitigation, adaptation and finance. However, the talks did not live up to expectations,” Boran said, highlighting the enormous potential of local and non-governmental actors from around the world to show leadership on climate change.
Boran was the lead organizer and host of an official side event at the 25th annual Conference of the Parties (COP25), titled “Nature-based solutions and global climate action: Strengthening synergies beyond 2020.”
Boran, along with assistant professor Angele Alook (School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies), and other delegates will share their experiences during two 50-minute discussion panels on Jan. 14 at the Keele Campus. This event will take place in Accolade West 307, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
York’s delegation was initially made up of 11 climate change researchers and students from across the University, along with alumni and colleagues from other Canadian universities and environmental non-governmental organizations. Through an agreement with the UN Climate Change Secretariat, the delegation expanded to 15 to include members of civil society research organizations from Chile and Spain.
The logistics for the 25th COP were particularly complex; weeks before delegates were to convene, the venue changed to Madrid because of ongoing civil unrest in Chile.
Beginning in August 2019, York University’s UNFCCC designated contact point, Faculty of Science Professor Dawn Bazely, who obtained observer status for York University, and Boran, a veteran head of delegation since 2012, were in constant contact with the UN Climate Change secretariat and fellow member organizations of the Research and Independent NGO civil society constituency, supporting the effort to maximize the amount of civil society participation.
Boran praised the delegation for its ongoing commitment to working with international partners.
“The York University delegation actively works on knowledge innovation and outreach for building synergies in 2020 and beyond,” she said.