Durham is home to world-leading research that helps to address the challenges of an ever-changing and complex world – and inspires the next generation of problem-solvers.
We have been directly involved in Conferences of Parties (COPs) since 2021 under the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Even before then, our researchers were actively engaged in important research and projects on climate change.
This year, we are sending five delegates to the Conference of Parties in Baku, Azerbaijan. Visit our COP webpages to find out more about our holistic approach to sustainability, or read on to learn more about our delegates.
Professor Laura Marsiliani (Business School)
Professor Laura Marsiliani is an environmental and energy economist at Durham University Business School. She is a director of the Centre for Environmental and Energy Economics (CE3), the Faculty of Business Lead in the Centre for Sustainable Development, Law, and Policy (CSDLP) and a Fellow of the Durham Energy Institute.
Professor Petra Minnerop (Law)
Petra Minnerop is a Professor of International Law in our Law School. She is also the Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy and serves as Chair of Durham University's UN SDG Group. Her research spans international law, the process of law-making and the implementation of international law at the domestic level, with a particular focus on environmental challenges and climate change.
Ghulam Mustafa Kamran (Law)
Ghulam Mustafa Kamran is a Research associate at our Centre for Sustainable Development and Law. He is a PhD student at Durham Law School. His research is focused on recognising, understanding, and protecting inherent human conscience under the notion of human dignity in International Human Rights Law, and highlighting its significance for the achievement of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Professor Chris Stokes (Geography)
Chris Stokes is a Professor in our Department of Geography. His research focusses on the response of glaciers to climate change and the impacts on sea level. His activities at COP29 will focus on explaining the increasing threat of rapid and irreversible sea level rise, especially if the 1.5 °C temperature target is exceeded.
Sophia Wasim Khan (Natural Sciences)
Sophia is a third-year undergraduate student studying Natural Sciences at Durham University. She is actively working as a student ambassador for the Durham Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy. Sophia recently won the best speaker award at the SUAD Youth COP Competition 2024.
Image from left to right: Professor Laura Marsiliani, Professor Petra Minnerop, Ghulam Mustafa Kamran, Professor Chris Stokes, Sophia Wasim Khan
