Key messages from the UN climate change conference
![]() |
Four key messages from the UN Climate Change Conference COP 25 held in Madrid, December 2019. Image: A wind farm in Idaho, US. |
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
The UN Climate Change Conference COP 25 (2 – 13 December 2019) was held in Madrid but under the presidency of the government of Chile, and those assembled convened to take the next crucial steps in the UN climate change process.
Following agreement on the implementation guidelines of the Paris Agreement at COP 24 in 2018, a key objective was to complete several matters with respect to the full implementations of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
[edit] The transition has to be just
Moving to a low-carbon economy is largely thought of as a global economic and technological matter. But it is also a social one where human behaviour will need to be leveraged to achieve the full potential of the transition. The protection of workers linked to the fossil fuel industry will also need careful consideration to avoid widespread discontent.
[edit] COP25 is bigger and more complex than you think
According to the provisional list by the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) there was an expected grand total of 26,706 participants registered for COP25:
- 13,643 people representing specific parties.
- 9,987 from observer organisations – such as scientists, business groups and various non-governmental organisations.
- 3,076 journalists.
The countries with the most delegates were:
- Côte d’Ivoire 348.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) 293.
- Spain 172.
- Brazil 168.
Despite the United States’ recent decision to start the formal process of withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, its delegation to COP25 (78 people) is much larger than at COP24 (48) and the largest since the Paris COP itself in 2015 (124).
The UK’s (48 people) is similar in size to last year’s (52), while the tally for France and Germany was 124 and 102 respectively. There are two countries which do not have any delegates on the UNFCCC list this year – Bolivia and San Marino.
[edit] Big finance is coming
The world of finance is turning away from fossil fuels; energy companies are continuing to write down the value of oil and gas assets while the value of renewables is on the rise.
[edit] Engineers get ready
From next year’s COP26 in Glasgow, engineers will be asked to play an ever-bigger role to take action on mitigation and adaptation solutions. Climate science will be discussed at these conferences, but solutions and collaborations will likely be discussed by parties in much more detail. Carbon dioxide removal is on the table too – what in the past was called geo-engineering or paraphrased as 'climate altering technologies' will take an important role among the suite of solutions that must be considered to reverse the still increasing CO2 in the atmosphere. In July, ICE signed up in support of action to tackle the climate and biodiversity emergencies the planet is facing, setting a commitment to strengthen its working practices and creating complete engineering outcomes that have more positive impacts on the world around us.
Readers can sign up their organisations here and show their commitment to delivering a more sustainable, low-carbon society.
[edit] About this article
This article was written by ICE member ice.org.uk Davide Stronati who is also chair of the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO) Committee on Engineering and the Environment. The article previously appeared on the ICE website in January 2020 and can be accessed HERE.
Other articles by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) on Designing Buildings Wiki can be accessed HERE.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Actuate UK issues climate warning and urges action.
- Biomass.
- BREEAM Adaptation to climate change.
- Carbon capture processes.
- Carbon emissions.
- Carbon plan.
- Climate Change Act.
- Climate target revisions for Carbon Budget 6.
- COP21 Paris 2015.
- C02nstruct Zero programme.
- Emission rates.
- Energy.
- Energy targets.
- Environmental modelling.
- Environmental policy.
- Global warming and the tipping point precipice.
- Globe temperature.
- Green Deal.
- Green plot ratio.
- Greenhouse gases.
- Happold lecture on climate change.
- ICE launches engineering route map to deliver UN SDGs.
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC.
- Kyoto Protocol.
- Making Mission Possible: report on achieving a zero-carbon economy by 2030.
- Not a choice between renewables and nuclear - we need both.
- Radiation.
- RIBA Stirling Prize winners' open letter declaring climate and biodiversity emergency.
- Sustainability.
- UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- World leaders urged to embrace wind energy.
Featured articles and news
A change to adoptive architecture
Effects of global weather warming on architectural detailing, material choice and human interaction.
How big is the problem and what can we do to mitigate the effects?
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
A number of cool guides to help with the heat.
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.