COP28

Dubai, 2023

Title: UN Climate Change Conference (COP28)

I attended COP28 in Dubai as an observer and participated in the conference as a Grantham Centre scholar from the University of Sheffield. This gave me the opportunity to engage with one of the world’s most significant international platforms for climate dialogue and policy discussion. Being present at COP28 enabled me to follow key debates on climate action, sustainability, adaptation, and the built environment, while observing how governments, researchers, practitioners, and civil society organisations negotiate and respond to urgent global challenges.

As an observer, I gained valuable insight into the relationship between climate policy, research, and practice at the international level. The experience deepened my understanding of how environmental issues are discussed across different sectors and highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing climate change. It also provided a unique opportunity to witness how global commitments are translated into discussions on implementation, accountability, and future action.

Attending COP28 was a significant professional and academic experience that broadened my perspective on the global climate agenda and its relevance to my research interests and practice. It reinforced my commitment to engaging critically with questions of sustainability, resilience, and environmental responsibility, while deepening my awareness of the role that research and design can play in responding to climate challenges.