Junior Chapal Bhavsar is interested in big, sustainable-technology projects, including the creation of climate-friendly power plants, and is eager to use his finance knowledge to find ways to fund their construction.

As one of 14 UConn students, and five faculty and staff, to attend the United Nation’s Climate Change Conference (COP 29) in Baku, Azerbaijan last month, Bhavsar met many people—including some international power figures—who share his ideology.

“At COP, I wanted to connect with people in the business space. I went in with an open mind and was happy to talk to anyone. I was in the room with the Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan and with a Saudi delegation working on a clean-energy pipeline. It was fascinating to talk about how financing is changing in the sector, with private industry replacing government entities to advance these projects.’’

“Perhaps the highlight was being able to connect with the U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mark Libby,’’ Bhavsar said. “He’s from Southbury and I grew up in Danbury, so we had that in common. I was excited to connect with someone who is so key in the climate-protection movement, a top guy who is very successful. He invited us to a roundtable where he answered all kinds of questions.’’

Bhavsar was joined by two other UConn business students, senior Jackie Flaherty, who is majoring in marketing and urban and community studies and minoring in geographic information science; and senior Naiiya Patel, who is studying accounting, with minors in philosophy, and social responsibility and impact in business. All three are members of the UConn Honors program.

‘Committed to Purposeful Change’

Arminda Kamphausen, director for Global & Sustainability Initiatives at the School of Business, said the COP 29 conference offered students an extraordinary experience. UConn business students have been participating since 2021.

“This once-in-a-lifetime experience ticks all the boxes: international travel, cultural awareness, and growth through exposure to and interaction with critical real-world issues,’’ she said. “The conversations I have had with these students since their return underscores the importance of experiential learning to a complete education. I am so glad we prioritize that here at the UConn School of Business.’’

“The conversations also reinforce my hope in this generation of young people who are committed to purposeful change and positive impact. Experiences like this give them the tools they need to do just that,’’ she said.

Kamphausen said the UConn Office of Sustainability deserves credit for its work to make this adventure happen, and particularly for its ability to arrange for our students to enter the exclusive arena where the most meaningful negotiations occur.

Sustainable Initiatives That Could Apply to Gampel

Patel enjoyed the conference and said one of the highlights for her was having the opportunity to meet the former President of Finland, Tarja Halonen. She told Halonen how much she enjoyed her presentation on the importance of a greener future and need to act decisively.

“It was very cool; I never expected to meet someone so important,’’ Patel said.

Patel said she arrived at COP 29 thinking that she would focus on youth impact and teaching, but found many other interests there as well.

“The themes covered so many fascinating topics from water security to biodiversity to transportation and tourism. It felt so cool because so much of it could be applied right here at UConn,’’ she said.

Patel was intrigued by a presentation from an executive with the Liverpool soccer team, who talked about initiatives to keep the facility and the patron experience more sustainable and climate friendly.

“I thought it would be a great match at UConn and perhaps we could adopt some of those ideas at Gampel,’’ she said. “It was an interesting conference and I didn’t expect that much access to information nor to be around so many important people. Every day there were new panels and an amazing schedule of events. I loved the freedom to seek the information that was of most interest to me.’’

Patel’s professional interests include business, sustainability and education. She hopes to work for one of the Big 4 accounting firms, and said having knowledge about climate-change initiatives will be an advantage in securing her first job and advancing in the industry.

Flaherty Built New Network of Friends, Colleagues

Flaherty has worked in the Office of Sustainability in various capacities since she came to UConn.

“My interest began senior year in high school when I took environmental science and human geography courses,’’ she said. “I really enjoy both communicating information and working with people.’’

The trip to COP 29 was particularly enjoyable for Flaherty, who hasn’t traveled extensively. She loved both the food and the people. “I also enjoyed meeting representatives from around the world and hearing their perspectives,’’ she said.

She hopes to work in sustainable urban planning or communications following graduation.

“This will be such a nice experience to talk about in my future career. I’m so grateful to UConn to have offered this opportunity. It is so important going forward in my career to have had this experience,’’ she said. “I also found a great new network of UConn friends to build both professional relationships and friendships.’’

One of the things that surprised her was seeing oil companies and other lobbyists at the event.

Flaherty and her peers both wished that the conference had generated more substantial change, as the 2015 COP agreement did, resulting in the Paris Agreement. But only about 20 percent of the original finance goals were adopted at the conference.

“At first, I was very disappointed in the outcome. But now I think it is important to focus on what we can do in our communities and to push local leaders to advocate and pressure for national initiatives and investments,’’ Flaherty said.

“Regardless of some frustrations, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be able to interact with people from around the world and it was tremendously eye-opening,’’ she added.

Bhavsar, a Fulbright scholar with a particular interest in banking and analyst roles, said he still felt optimistic after the event. “Its important that we make progress. It can always be better but it is a big step to make and build connections,’’ he said. “I think these nations are on the right track and moving in the right direction.’’

Bhavsar said he will long remember the people he met at the conference and in the country, visiting a palace, a fire temple, a mosque and exploring Baku.

“UConn support helped us attend COP but also have a tremendous cultural experience as well,’’ he said. “I met one guy who went home and got his brother, who spoke English and could translate for us. We all went out for tea! The Azerbaijani people are very, very nice.’’