COP

A&WMA Participation in the UNFCCC COP Conference of the Parties on Climate Change

In 2017, the Air & Waste Management Association gained official observer status for the UN Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, the supreme decision making body for the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC). The COP is tasked with reviewing communications and emission inventories and assessing the effects of the measures taken and the progress made in achieving the ultimate objective of the Convention.

“Having official observer status at the COP truly places A&WMA on the international stage with a presence in the room as agreements are being developed and released. While we are not in the business or position of taking a stance on climate change, having the opportunity to engage with other international associations on the topic and bring real-time, high-level communications back to our members on international policy and projects is a privilege that we will use to foster the continuation of progress on this topic,” said Michele Gehring, A&WMA President.

COP30 runs from November 10-21. Merlyn Hough, A&WMA Past President, and Ram Ramanan, A&WMA Education Council Chair, will be traveling to Belém, Brazil and providing updates and insights to the membership on the A&WMA COP30 Blog.

Observer details and bios

2025 Blog Posts

Conclusion of COP30 (November 22)
by Merlyn Hough and Ram Ramanan

Current status of COP30 on the scheduled conclusion date (November 21)
by Merlyn Hough and Ram Ramanan

Mutirão at COP30: “Working Together” (November 21)
by Merlyn Hough and Ram Ramanan

Fire at the venue and empty negotiating rooms at COP30 (November 20)
by Merlyn Hough and Ram Ramanan

Notable developments and learning opportunities at COP30 (November 19)
by Merlyn Hough and Ram Ramanan

The pace quickens at COP 30 (November 18)
by Merlyn Hough and Ram Ramanan

COP 30: Key Developments and Frictions (November 17)
by Merlyn Hough and Ram Ramanan

COP 30: Emissions Gap (November 17)
by Merlyn Hough and Ram Ramanan

Cop 30: Amazon Rainforests (November 16)
by Merlyn Hough and Ram Ramanan

Countdown to COP 30: U.S. Representation at COP
by Merlyn Hough and Ram Ramanan

Countdown to COP 30: Paris Agreement
by Merlyn Hough and Ram Ramanan

Countdown to COP 30: Climate Reports
by Merlyn Hough and Ram Ramanan

Countdown to COP 30: History of Belém
by Merlyn Hough and Ram Ramanan

COP 30 United Nations Conference on Climate Change Preview
by Merlyn Hough and Ram Ramanan

Official COP30 Site

COP 26 Blog Posts (2021)

COP 25 Blog Posts (2019)

COP 24 Blog Posts (2018)