On the Way to the Climate COP : Mobilization for COP31 in Antalya and on College Campuses

From late September through mid-December 2026, the student and academic community is getting involved through a series of events on campus, while a university delegation travels to Antalya to promote the role of universities in addressing climate change at COP31. 
 

A Stronger Presence at COP 31  

As an observer organization to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) since 2021, Université Côte d’Azur has made it its mission to contribute to the scientific basis of climate negotiations at COP, and to work toward positioning universities and research organizations as providers of solutions to the climate crisis, in close collaboration with policymakers.

With this in mind, Université Côte d’Azur will participate in numerous discussions, roundtables, and scientific initiatives with its French and international partners in the “Blue Zone,” focusing on priority topics such as science diplomacy , combating climate disinformation , and protecting the seas and oceans .  

Finally, the delegation will follow the negotiations and progress in real time and will strive to report back to the academic community through videos, publications, and a final roundtable discussion once back in Nice. 

 

Follow the delegation in Antalya

To engage the entire community, the University’s delegation in Antalya is sharing analyses and observations through multiple channels.

• “Live from COP31” videos: Discover the COP through the eyes of different types of stakeholders attending the Climate COPs. 
• Articles: content published in the press and on the University’s website to chronicle the delegation’s daily activities.
• Closing Roundtable: In December at Valrose, a review of the key takeaways from COP31 and an open discussion with the university community, focusing on the prominence given to AI issues at the COP.

A rich and engaging program on campus

To ensure that climate and environmental issues resonate at the local level, “On the Way to the Climate COP” is offering a series of events for students and university staff from October through December. The goal

: to turn campuses into true hubs of action and awareness by mobilizing the university community around environmental issues.

The COP kicked off on September 29 with the inaugural seminar of Academy 3, “Territories, Environments, Risks, and Resilience.” And this is just the beginning! Discover the upcoming events awaiting you (registration required ):

• Film screenings and discussions: (re)discover the films “Kogis: Together to Heal the Earth” and “Arco” on the Carlone campus.
• Eco-Responsibility Mission training sessions for staff: to understand the challenges of sustainability and, above all, discover what concrete changes we can make in our daily work lives.
• Academic Advocacy Contest: Share your thoughts on climate change and its impacts! The authors of the best advocacy pieces will be rewarded with international opportunities, including the U7+ Student Challenge and the SB Bonn. 
• Mangrove Hackathon: a collaborative experience to map mangroves, open to students upon registration.
• Eco-Responsibility Mission Workshops: participatory workshops to raise awareness among staff and students about the challenges of the ecological transition.
• Exhibition on Digital Sobriety: Visit this exhibition at the Trotabas (October), STAPS (November), and INSPE (December) university libraries. 
• Closing Morning Session – On the Way to the Climate COP: to go beyond local action, an analysis of COP31 by those who participated, with an underlying focus on the impact of AI in the face of climate change. 

Other events are in the works (EUR Society and Environment, 3IA Côte d’Azur, UN World Food Day, etc.). Stay tuned!

Find the full program on the dedicated page