Working Paper

Building Consensus in the UNFCCC Lessons from a Seasoned Negotiator and Observations of a New Negotiator

“The first paper: Lessons from a seasoned negotiator : provides an introduction to the UNFCCC negotiation process and suggests how consensus may be achieved. It is aimed particularly at negotiators who have just joined the process, but should also be of interest to facilitators and more experienced negotiators, by provoking reflection or presenting new perspectives to be explored. The lessons discussed in this paper are based on almost twenty years’ experience in climate change work and the UNFCCC process. It must be borne in mind, however, that this perspective – as with that of every negotiator or facilitator – is filtered through a lens of personal circumstances and beliefs. The second paper; Observations of a new negotiator provides an introduction to the UNFCCC negotiation process and suggests how consensus may be achieved. It is aimed particularly at negotiators who have just joined the process, but should also be of interest to facilitators and more experienced negotiators, not least by reminding them of the typical challenges faced by newcomers.
The views in this paper are based on the author’s direct experience in the UNFCCC process. It must be borne in mind, however, that this perspective – as with that of every negotiator or facilitator – is filtered through a lens of personal circumstances and beliefs.”