Political leaders are not the only ones in attendance at the 21st annual meeting of the “Conference of the Parties” (COP 21), taking place Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 in Paris. The conference is expecting roughly 45,000 participants, including many representatives from big U.S. law firms. While many attendees are not participating in the actual debates, Greenberg Traurig’s James Bacchus is heavily involved, serving as an expert advisor to negotiators and a delegate for the International Chamber of Commerce. Bacchus points out the main difference in this year’s COP is the change in approach, rather than enforce “top-down” targets for emission reductions, countries are now being asked to make reduction “pledges.”