The Psychology of COPs: What Really Moves Negotiations
Hosted by Janna Hoppmann | Founder, ClimateMind
COP30 will produce decisions on paper. But what really shapes those outcomes happens at the human level—in rooms where trust, identity, emotion, and power collide.
In this deep dive into the psychology of international climate policy, economist and climate psychologist Janna Hoppmann unpacks the emotional and cognitive dynamics that shape global climate negotiations. Drawing on her new report The Psychology of International Climate Policy and live insights from COP30, she reveals what’s often left unsaid—but drives everything.
What We’ll Explore:
How psychological safety, personal identity, and trust (or lack thereof) influence negotiation dynamics
The emotional undercurrents of high-stakes diplomacy: stress, defensiveness, hope, and burnout
Why even the best-designed policies fail when they ignore human behavior and bias
How disinformation and cognitive overload derail both public understanding and diplomatic progress
Tools to reframe negotiations, support facilitators, and cultivate cross-cultural trust
Expanded Format: A Deeper Dive into Climate Psychology
This session also serves as the anchor of a larger “Psychology of Climate Policy” track, designed to equip negotiators, observers, and advocates with insight and tools to navigate the emotional realities of international climate work.
Additional segments may include:
Disinformation & Defense Mechanisms: How misinformation preys on identity and shapes narratives
Cross-Cultural Communication: How to build trust across worldviews and lived experience
The Emotional Labor of Climate Work: Tools for mental health and resilience in high-pressure spaces
Designing Negotiation Environments for Trust: Small changes that unlock breakthroughs
Who Should Attend:
Climate negotiators, observers, facilitators, youth delegates, and UN staff
Communications leads, legal advisors, and policy drafters
Psychologists, educators, and anyone supporting the human side of system change
Because what happens in negotiation rooms isn’t just technical—it’s deeply human. And understanding that is essential for progress.