The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the primary decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Since the Convention entered into force in 1994, COP has served as a forum where countries meet annually to assess progress, negotiate agreements, and develop strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. COP plays a central role in implementing major international climate agreements, including the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global temperature rise and strengthen global responses to climate change. It provides a platform for countries to set targets, report on progress, and cooperate on issues such as mitigation, adaptation, and climate finance. A key area of debate within COP is the responsibility of developed countries to support developing states, particularly those most vulnerable to climate impacts. Today, COP remains a central forum for global climate governance, bringing together nearly all countries to negotiate solutions and coordinate action in response to the growing climate crisis.

Over two billion people worldwide still rely on traditional solid fuels like wood, coal, crop waste, and animal dung for cooking and heating. These fuels are highly inefficient and release harmful pollutants, including particulate matter and black carbon. As a result, they contribute to negative human health effects, including millions of premature deaths every year. They also release significant greenhouse gases, contributing to global climate change. Unfortunately, access to cleaner energy options like electricity, natural gas, solar power, and other renewable technologies remains deeply unequal. Only 54 percent of rural households have access to clean cooking fuels, compared to 88 percent of urban households. This is because rural communities have less energy infrastructure and may not be able to afford them. Not only will green energy access reduce health effects and help mitigate climate change, but it can also improve equality and economic circumstances in rural communities. For example, it will reduce the time rural residents, particularly women, spend collecting fuel. As a result, they will have more time to pursue other activities. Overall, expanding green energy is crucial to achieving the SDGs, particularly SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.

Global industrialization has resulted in enormous economic benefits, but it has also led to serious environmental concerns. Manufacturing is one of the leading sources of air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, water contamination, and solid waste. Green manufacturing aims to combat these problems by redesigning production processes to be environmentally friendly. These changes must be made at every stage of the supply chain, from sourcing raw materials to delivering the final product to the consumer. Core principles of green manufacturing include improving energy efficiency, conserving natural resources, reducing pollution and waste, and promoting recycling and reuse of materials. Beyond environmental improvements, green manufacturing can also benefit the companies that implement it. Sustainable practices can lead to cost savings, reduce regulatory penalties, and help companies build stronger reputations. Because supply chains stretch across the globe, no single country can lead this change alone. Therefore, to truly mitigate climate change and environmental degradation, COP delegates must promote international cooperation on green manufacturing.