The 8th Weihenstephan Climate Conference (CCW8)

On 17 June 2026, the HSWT will become a venue for international climate diplomacy. The 8th Climate Conference Weihenstephan (CCW8), with Prof. Dr. iur. in charge of management. Tanja Barton (Head) and Karin Casaretto (Co-Head), takes the form of a conference whilst also serving as an assessment component for two Master’s programmes in Management and Entrepreneurship: Renewable Energies and Climate Change Management, with around 70 participants. Inspired by the ‘Model United Nations’ format, students once again took on the roles of nations and organisations this year – ranging from the largest CO₂ emitters, China, India and the USA, to small island states (AOSIS) and Greenpeace – and negotiated current issues relating to global climate protection. This was preceded by a scientific introduction to the topic by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The negotiations focused on the pressing issues of climate finance and the phase-out of fossil fuels.

Climate diplomacy kicks off with voices from around the world

CCW8 was opened by Vice-President Prof. Dr Carsten Lorz, followed by an introduction and the establishment of common rules. Eleven international teams then presented their positions, supported by videos they had produced themselves. Representatives from countries including China, the USA, the EU, India and Bangladesh shared their perspectives, reflecting real-world geopolitical tensions. The students themselves come from over ten countries, making the conference an authentic reflection of global negotiating tables.

The path to the CCW8 Final Agreement

In the afternoon, things got down to business: in two intensive rounds of negotiations, all participants wrestled to find viable compromises on climate finance and the phase-out of fossil fuels. The aim was to produce a joint final document, the ‘CCW8 Final Agreement’. Visitors were once again able to participate flexibly this year, attending individual programme items or simply following the finale. The conference once again demonstrated very impressively how academic learning and real-world challenges come together. The students were delighted by an engaged audience, lively discussions and memorable experiences of ‘international’ climate change negotiations.

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