A 24-member delegation of students, faculty and staff from UC San Diego will attend COP31 and present marine science as a key issue in global climate negotiations. Members centred on Scripps Oceanography will speak and participate in discussions as part of the Ocean Pavilion, contributing to integrated discussions on the ocean and climate during the conference.
A delegation of students, faculty and staff from UC San Diego will attend the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), to be held in Antalya in southern Türkiye from 9 to 20 November 2026. COP31 is a two-week conference at which world leaders and experts will discuss measures to address the climate crisis and advance the energy transition. It is positioned as a “Blue COP” focused on the ocean.
UC San Diego will once again co-host the Ocean Pavilion at the conference with Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, strengthening links between ocean research and policy. The Ocean Pavilion will hold more than 65 panels, talks and roundtables as part of the official programme, as well as providing a forum for dialogue between scientists and attendees.
Representatives of UC San Diego have highlighted the opportunity to bring marine science into global climate discussions and said they want research findings to inform decision-making. A total of 24 participants from across UC, including student representatives from Scripps Oceanography, will travel to the conference. A policy has been outlined to advance coverage of travel expenses using the Equity-weighted social cost of carbon (SCC), with individual and corporate donations covering any shortfall.
Profiles of each member and their aspirations and expectations for COP31 are expected to be introduced, with further sharing of scientific insights linking ocean and climate policy anticipated.