Yangyel Lhaden

Baku, Azerbaijan— A delegation from the Jigme Singye Wangchuck (JSW) School of Law participated in the 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) from November 11 to 22, 2024.

A group of six individuals, including faculty, staff, and students, sought to deepen their understanding of climate negotiations and explore the role of lawyers in shaping climate policy.

COP29 brought together representatives from over 190 countries to negotiate and implement measures to limit global warming in line with the Paris Agreement.

It is a complex and high-stakes event, where every word in the draft agreements carries significant weight. Negotiators work diligently, balancing national interests, environmental urgency, and global diplomacy—also known as “climate politics”.

For the JSW School of Law, attending COP29 offered valuable insight into how legal professionals contribute to climate negotiations.

Secretary Karma Tshering of Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, who led Bhutan’s delegation, emphasised the importance of equipping lawyers with knowledge of climate processes. “Legal professionals strengthen Bhutan’s capacity to negotiate effectively on the international stage.”

As part of Bhutan’s official delegation with “Party” status at COP29, the JSW School of Law participated fully in the negotiations, ensuring active engagement in climate diplomacy.

Assistant Dean Helen Lansdowne, with Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Law at JSW School of Law, said that their primary objective at COP29 was to understand the COP process and learn how this complex institution operates. “We also observed how the government negotiates and the strategies they employ at COP.”

The Centre, supported by The Karuna Foundation and The Asia Foundation, funded both faculty and students’ participation.

Earlier this year, an open competition was held, and the top two students were selected to attend COP29.

“It has been the dream of our President, Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Dechen Wangchuck, to introduce climate change into the law school,” Helen Lansdowne said. “She recognised the need for more research in this area—specifically legal research on climate and environmental law.”

The school is going to launch a new graduate graduate programme next year focused on climate change and environmental law, which would be an international degree in this field, she added.

Two students, Choki Pelden Lhamo and Ngawang Yeshi Tenzin, were selected through an open competition to attend COP29.

Choki Pelden Lhamo described the experience as transformative, noting that witnessing climate negotiations firsthand was far more impactful than theoretical simulations. “Lawyers can help in negotiations as we play a pivotal role in drafting binding agreements, dissecting legal frameworks, and ensuring that commitments move beyond aspiration to enforceable action and lawyers can bridge the legal and diplomatic gaps, turning global pledges into tangible solutions.”

Ngawang Yeshi Tenzin, meanwhile, was surprised by the informal nature of many negotiations, which often took place outside the formal meeting rooms.  “Some of the most insightful conversations happen outside the negotiation rooms—in hallways, food courts, or impromptu gatherings.”

He said that COP29 gave him a deeper understanding of global climate negotiations and the financial systems supporting sustainable projects. “I have learned about the intricate discussions among heads of state to address climate change and how decisions are carefully crafted.”

Like many who question the effectiveness of COPs, Ngawang Yeshi Tenzin was initially skeptical. “While I was initially skeptical about COP’s effectiveness, I now think COP is a vital platform for addressing the urgent threat of climate change and how indispensable it is for bringing people together to advocate for and work towards a sustainable future.”

Migmar Lham, Faculty of Law at JSW School of Law, said that COP was more than policy; it was an opportunity to reflect and contribute to financial solutions for resilience and sustainable growth. “COP29’s focus on adaptation, just transition, and finance mechanisms provides a platform to align Bhutan’s priorities with global efforts, particularly in carbon trading, empowering communities, and advancing our vision for a sustainable future.”

This story was produced as part of the COP29 Climate Change Media Partnership, a journalism fellowship organized by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security.