Introducing the UMaine/Maine Law Week One Delegation to the Climate Negotiations
Dr. Cindy Isenhour, Designated Contact Point and Head of Delegation
Welcome! Please join us here each day for insight into what is happening at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 31st Conference of Parties (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye (November 9-21, 2026). Members of the UMaine and Maine Law delegation will be posting updates as the global community gathers to address the urgent challenge of climate change.
The UNFCCC Conference of Parties brings together diplomats, scientists, civil society groups, and activists from around the world. Heads of state and high level ministers also join this complex mix, signaling party commitments to make progress toward mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Our delegates are pleased to have the opportunity to participate – to learn more about global environmental and climate governance, to advance research on various aspects of climate change and, when possible, to contribute through participation as experts at side events and pavilion hosted events. We are also pleased to share what we learn with you – our colleagues back in Maine and around the world.
The delegation would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Dan and Betty Churchill Exploration Fund, the Climate Change Institute, Maine Law, The School of Policy and International Affairs, The Department of Anthropology, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Events and Experiences Fund for their support of this impactful opportunity for our faculty and students. We are also indebted and grateful to Dickinson College and the Environmental Law Association for badging members of our delegation.
This week our delegation includes three students and three faculty with diverse areas of interests and expertise. We look forward to sharing what we learn and observe with you!
Week One Delegation (From L-R, pictured above)
Alexandra (Lexie) Greene – Graduate Student in the School of Policy and International Affairs. Interests related to just transitions, supply chains and critical minerals, energy transitions, and the African Group of Negotiators (AGN).
Paige Mervine – Graduate Student in Anthropology and Environmental Policy. Interests related to local action agendas and implementation, climate communications and the youth constituency.
Alice Farmer – Associate Professor of Law. Interests and expertise related to climate displacement, refugee law, human rights, and finance to support mobility. Following climate mobility and loss and damage fund discussions.
Cindy Isenhour, Professor of Anthropology and Climate Change, Head of Delegation. Interests and expertise related to mitigation policy, international equity, and the politics of carbon accounting. Following preparations for the second Global Stocktake.
Annette LaRocco, Dan ‘63 and Betty Churchill Associate Professor in Climate Policy & International Affairs. Interests and expertise related to the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), just transitions, Transitions Away from Fossil Fuels (TAFF) and gender.
Ana Trueba, Graduate Student School of Earth and Climate / Climate Change Institute. Interests related to clean energy transitions, electrification and grid stability. Following side events and pavilion spaces related to energy transitions and implementation.