About RINGOs:
RINGOs – Research and Independent Non-Governmental Organizations – do research and analysis to develop strategies addressing both the causes and consequences of global climate change. RINGOs are one of nine NGO constituencies recognized by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The others are ENGOs (Environmental NGOs), BINGOs (Business and Industry NGOs), LGMAs (Local Governments and Municipal Authorities), IPOs (Indigenous Peoples Organizations), TUNGOs (Trade Union NGOs), YOUNGOS (Youth NGOs), Farmers, and Gender. RINGOs are the second largest of these constituencies, comprising 25% of the 2,000 admitted NGOs.
Left: University of California-Revelle Exhibit at COP23. Right: University of Maine Professor, Aaron Strong, at the We Are Still In Pavilion at COP23
During the COP and SB meetings of the UNFCCC, RINGOs organize daily meetings to discuss the developments of the negotiations and to share logistical information. RINGOs also are invited to observe at constituted group sessions held between the COPs and SBs, including those of the Adaptation Committee (AC), Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), Standing Committee on Finance (SCF), and Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage (WIM ExComm).
A RINGO daily meeting at COP15 in Copenhagen. Photo courtesy of University of Zurich CIS
Delegations in the RINGO Constituency meet the following criteria:
- They are not-for-profit.
- They have committed themselves to address climate change in a constructive manner.
- They actively seek ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts.
- They must maintain independent views; it is not expected that all members share the same view on any particular issue but instead provide a range of views.
- They work to play a bridging role between science and policy, business and environment, global North and South.
RINGO Activities are coordinated by a steering committee. The current members are:
- Marilyn Averill, University of Colorado at Boulder
- Tracy Bach, Washington University in St. Louis (co-focal point)
- Shikha Bhasin, Council on Energy, Environment and Water
- Diane Husic, Moravian University
- Sylvia Karlsson-Vinkhuyzen, Wageningen University
- Miriah Kelly, Southern Connecticut State University
- Melissa Low, National University of Singapore
- Beth Martin, Washington University in St. Louis (co-focal point)
- Anna McGinn, Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI)
- Gaston Meskens, University of Ghent
- Axel Michaelowa, University of Zürich
- Zoha Shawoo, Stockholm Environment Institute
The Steering Committee at COP 24 in Katowice, Poland.
Contact and join the RINGO Listserv
If you are interested in participating in the RINGO constituency, you may contact the RINGO Focal Points. To receive communications from the RINGO constituency, please join our listserv. To join the listserv, e-mail LISTSERV@listserv.wustl.edu, and in the body of the email put “Subscribe RINGO_UNFCCC [Your name]”. You do not need an email subject (or the quotes or the brackets). Your request will then be forwarded for approval to be added to the list. This is an announcement only list that will be used to share announcements and information concerning the RINGOs. Subscribers will receive information but cannot send emails to the list.
Washington University in St. Louis also maintains a Young RINGO Listserv for faculty members of RINGO universities and institutions that participate in the UNFCCC negotiations. Learn more here.
List of RINGOs
View a full and updated list of RINGOs on the UNFCCC website here. Please select: “Constituency — Research and Independent”.
RINGO Blogs
For a list of blogs maintained by RINGO members and those with a working affiliation with RINGO members, click here.
Research and Independent Non-Governmental Organizations 