A student and a PhD candidate from Université Côte d’Azur participate in an international climate negotiations simulation organized by Université Laval

The first two days provided a theoretical refresher to ensure that all participants shared a common foundation of knowledge on climate change and international negotiations. The following two days were dedicated to the simulation itself. Within the fictional framework of COP30, the goal was to reach a more ambitious climate agreement based on the Paris Agreements.

Sixteen students from Université Laval participated in the exercise, coordinated by Professor Dimitrov, a former diplomat, along with one student from the University of Liège and the two participants from Université Côte d’Azur: Clémence Berthon Jager, enrolled in the Master’s program in International and European Law – specializing in Law of the Sea and Maritime Activities, and Thierry Marcotte, a PhD candidate in Environmental Law, working on issues at the intersection of fundamental rights and environmental protection.

During the simulation, Clémence represented the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), while Thierry took on the role of the lobby for the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP).

“Participating in this simulation was at once educational, stimulating, and sometimes frustrating. By representing IRENA, I felt the difficulty of reaching an international consensus, even when the willingness to act seemed shared. The debates, often intense, highlighted the complexity of reconciling ecological ambition with economic realities, and it became clear to me that, even in a fictional setting, negotiations require patience, strategy, and diplomacy. This frustration at the slow progress was, however, accompanied by a genuine admiration for the negotiators who, in reality, must constantly face these same obstacles to defend the climate cause.” — Clémence Berthon Jager
“As a representative of an oil industry lobby, my role was not particularly difficult to play: I had to act conservatively and push countries to adopt measures bordering on ‘greenwashing.’ Yet, I had to negotiate with everyone: prepare strategies with my allies (Russia, the United States, Saudi Arabia) while undermining the efforts of the most progressive countries on climate (European states, island nations). This simulation was much more than a simple role-playing exercise. We experienced, as close to reality as possible, the stakes, the traps, and the immense pressure that actors in climate negotiations face.” — Thierry Marcotte

At the time of the opening of the (real) COP30, in which a Université Côte d’Azur delegation is participating, this opportunity given to the two students illustrates the University’s commitment to strengthening its activities in analysis, training, awareness-raising, and participation in international negotiations. These actions are part of the scientific diplomacy strategy carried out by the Université Côte d’Azur Initiative of Excellence, and more specifically, the On the Road to Climate COP actions.

The participation of these students was also made possible thanks to the privileged partnership between Université Côte d’Azur and Université Laval, which share the same ambition for universities to play an enhanced role in multilateral efforts to address global challenges, particularly climate change.