Felicity Lindo, second year of Law with International Relations student, reflects on the World Climate Summit simulation assessment – part of our Global Governance and Diplomacy module convened by Dr Muzaffer Kutlay.

In a world facing an unprecedented increase environmental crises and escalating geopolitical tensions, the need to understand the intricate connections between sustainability, security, and territory has never been more critical. As part of my Global Governance and Diplomacy module convened by Dr Muzaffer Kutlay, a compulsory module during my second year of Law with International Relations, I participated in a World Climate Summit policy simulation:  roles were randomly assigned to groups, and in an ironic turn, I, one of the Student Green Officers for the University and Union Council’s Environmental Officer, was assigned the role of a fossil fuel lobbyist.

Secretly, this was the role I wanted. I knew this would be a challenge, but it would allow me to engage with the simulation in a truly effective way and would enable me to take the most from the experience. Although I was excited about the challenge, working in a group – where all students have conflicting schedules alongside researching a perspective I didn’t personally agree with was quite challenging. The simulation pushed me to think critically to reframe my experience and knowledge through the lens of a lobbyist. I then had to create a policy position paper for my formal assessment, which accounted for 50% of my module grade.

In this post, I’ll walk you through my preparation, the challenges of stepping into a role I personally opposed, and how I approached the final assessment.

Preparation for the Simulation

Simulations give students the opportunity to apply theory to real-world scenarios and gain a true sense of what a career in diplomacy may entail. A variety of simulations are available to students within the Politics department, which allow students to experience the role of state and non-state actors during global discussions – such as climate conferences like COP (The United Nations’ Conference of the Parties), which was the focus to my own simulation. These experiences are not only crucial for those pursuing related careers but also for gaining a deeper understanding of the complex world that we live in today, and the challenges that we experience as individuals.

I have had the opportunity to participate in optional simulations in CCCU, such as Counter-terrorism exercises, using the Hydra Simulation suites and internal mooting competitions, using the university’s court room. These gave me the chance to bring complex legal issues to life, which significantly enhanced my learning – but I had never participated in a politics simulation, let alone one that was compulsory – and everyone on my course had.

Preparing for the simulation required not only extensive research but also a significant mental shift. My personal passion for sustainability demanded that I completely rethink my approach. I started by diving into the industry’s core arguments, examining the defences used by the industry; and found that it consisted of mainly afforestation, anti-deforestation and investments into carbon capture and storage technology. Research by myself and my group formed the backbone of a light script for our one-minute presentation. While we didn’t have any voting power on the C-ROADS climate change simulator platform, we knew we could exert significant influence by employing buzzwords and presenting ourselves as the ‘Oil and Gas Industry’ – a tactic heavily used before and during the debate portion.

The debate itself made me very grateful for my limited mooting experience – anticipating the inevitable counterarguments from the environmentalist and developed nations groups allowed me to be quick on my feet. If I had difficulty coming up with a calculated answer, I reverted to the dirty trick of repeating ‘Fake News’, over the opposition – especially to the climate activist groups whenever they approached my conversations with nations I was definitely not trying to scam, and definitely was trying to make meaningful and equitable deals with.

This process was both challenging and enlightening, pushing me to think beyond my own beliefs and understand the broader political landscape, I really enjoyed myself, and left the experience smiling!

Translating the Simulation into a Policy Position Paper

Although I had started my research well before, I only had four days following the simulation to reflect on the experience within my policy position paper. This required combining my research and knowledge on the recent COP deals with my own reflection, ensuring a professional and well-balanced paper. Alongside examining my own biases within my writing and considering how they influenced my approach to the role of a ‘Gas and Oil Industry expert’, I gained an understanding of the dynamics faced by policymakers when navigating their personal beliefs and their professional obligations. This tested my ability to write a structured paper in very few words, and forced me to understand the tensions that exist on the global stage. Ultimately, the process was both challenging and rewarding and pushed me to critically assess the role of personal values in policymaking whilst improving my skills in crafting persuasive policy documents.

Final Thoughts: Bridging Conviction and Diplomacy

Overall, the simulation provided me with insights that reshaped my understanding of environmental advocacy and policy making. I learned the importance of understanding opposing viewpoints, which will strengthen my own advocacy with more practice. Adopting the role of a fossil fuel lobbyist deepened my appreciation for how strategic communication shapes policy debates and the conflict between personal morals and professional duties.  

Although stepping into the role was challenging, it reinforced my commitment to sustainability, while showing me the complexity of the fight for change. The assessment tested my ability to adapt and reflect critically under pressure, which strengthened my ability to engage in nuanced policy discussion.

Amid the overwhelming feeling of climate related anxiety, it is important that we acknowledge the urgency of the climate crisis and engage in meaningful discussions and actions that drive real change.

Find out more about how to join us here: BSc Politics and Global Sustainability.