Climate & Environment

Paris Agreement architect describes COP as summit as ‘circus’

Christiana Figueres says the upcoming climate conference is not needed and could be done remotely

Christiana Figueres, climate advicate: “90,000 people go there for a circus. Honestly, I would prefer 90,000 people stay at home and do their job.” Picture: Getty

The architect of the Paris Agreement described the upcoming United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) summit as a “circus,” arguing that the main purpose of the climate meeting could be done from home.

Christiana Figueres, a climate advocate and former executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, said that the need of the hour is to finance and execute the agreement, which was adopted in 2015.

“Any business plan, if it just ...