Terms and Conditions of ClimateScience Olympiad 2024

1. These rules apply to the ClimateScience Olympiad 2024 and activities within it, together referred to as the "Olympiad" or “competition”.

2. The Olympiad is free to enter (no purchase required, unless otherwise stated).

3. You are providing your information to Climate Science Ltd. The information provided will be used in conjunction with our Privacy Policy and the terms on this page.

4. To be eligible to enter the Olympiad:

• (a) Entrants must be a real person.
• (b) At most 25 years old (proof of age to be provided upon request by Climate Science Ltd.)

5. ClimateScience employees, officers, agents or volunteers, or employee, officer or agent of any person or organisation involved in the running of the Olympiad, and their relatives up to the second degree can only take part in the Qualifier and Quarter finals, they are NOT eligible to take part in the Semi Finals or Finals.

6. The maximum number of entries to the Olympiad per person is 3 plus 1 for every valid participant you refer to the Olympiad, with a total maximum of 10. A participant counts as "referred" after they have completed the first round of the Olympiad at least once.

7. The maximum number of entries for the Olympiad shall be at our sole discretion.

8. Any Qualifier entries received before the opening (July 14, 2023) or after the closing of the competition registration (June 30, 2024) will be invalid and will not be entered into the competition. No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received or admitted.

9. We reserve the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of our control. Entrants will be notified of any changes to the competition as soon as possible by us.

10. Everything, including the venue, format, time, rewards, prizes, and other aspects of all stages of the competition may be subject to change without notice in case of unforeseen circumstances.

11. There is a prize pool provided by Climate Science Ltd. The first place will be awarded USD 3,000, the second place USD 2,500, the third place USD 2,000. Places 4 & 5 USD 1,500 and the 6 -10 places will be awarded USD 1000 each

12. In past years winning teams have been able to present at COP and we are confident that we will be able to arrange this opportunity again in 2024, but will only be able to confirm this closer to the date when the conference organisers have finalised their schedules. Hence, this remains unguaranteed until we announce otherwise.

13. Travel, accommodation and visa costs will be covered for the top 3 teams to attend COP29 should they be able to.

14. In the case that a top 3 winner is a minor in their home country the travel, accommodation and visa for a parent or guardian will also be covered.

15. If a top 3 winner is not able to attend COP 29 the equivalent dollar value WILL NOT be provided to the winner as compensation. The trip will simply be forfeited. Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of all of these terms and conditions.

16. Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of all of these terms and conditions.

17. If a competition entrant does not meet the eligibility requirements or is subject to any entry restrictions, that entrant shall not be entitled to be adjudged a winner, and will not be entitled to a prize in any circumstances.

18. The decisions of Climate Science Ltd. in respect of all matters to do with the competition will be final.

19. Essays written as part of the Semi-finals and Finals must be respectful and not discriminatory in terms of age, race, religion, nationality, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. As a global Olympiad we aim to uphold the aspirational guidelines developed by all countries as part of the UN Charters of Human Right, Rights of Refugees and the Rights of the Child; therefore Olympiad essays should reflect these guidelines.

20. The use of AI i.e. ChatGPT etc for research is permitted. Finaliast who use AI should understand its benefits and limitations.

21. The use of AI to write your proposal is NOT permitted and AI writing detections tools will be used to assess suspected essays. Where these tools detect a high degree of AI use the essay will be marked down accordingly.

22. Referencing in your essay is required because it provides depth and data to back up your proposals. Plagiarism is NOT acceptable and essays will be marked down accordingly, please reference appropriately.

23. The competition and these terms and conditions will be governed by English law and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England.

24. Events organised or conducted by partners, schools, communities or other third parties who collaborate with us should take place in a fair way, meaning that they should strictly follow all standardised guidelines provided by us to organisers. If you suspect a qualifier wasn't held appropriately, please let us know at olympiad@climatescience.org.

25. When a participant has a question about the process or content, organisers must respond solely based on providing documentation about the Olympiad format and must never help participants with answering problem statements.

26. Entrants agree to release, indemnify, and hold harmless Climate Science Ltd. and its trustees, officers, employees, and agents from and against any and all liabilities, damages, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with the Olympiad.

27. Any communication with anyone outside a participant's team (except to ask the organiser questions) is strictly prohibited during the Semi Finals and Finals.

28. In the event of suspected cheating, please contact olympiad@climatescience.org and we will investigate the case, then take action accordingly.

29. Climate Science Ltd or its partners may take photos or videos during the Olympiad and you agree to these media being used and reproduced in digital and/or print media for promotional and publicity purposes. The photographs, videos and/or testimonials may appear on our print and electronic promotional and marketing materials, including but not limited to our website, social media accounts, news articles about us or our work, promotional posters, booklet and brochures. You grant ClimateScience Ltd the rights to use such material until you request it to be removed.

30. If you are a minor in your jurisdiction, you must get the approval of your legal guardian before registering for the Olympiad. If we find this wasn't done, your entries will be deemed invalid.

31. Climate Science Ltd. may contact you via email to provide you with information about the Olympiad or to announce your results. Additional communications pertaining to the Olympiad or other opportunities may be sent to you in accordance with UK laws.

32. Winning teams shall split their prize equally between members. Climate Science Ltd will award equal shares and will require bank details for each team member to do so. Awards will be disbursed within 90 days of the provision of necessary information.

33. Judging and scoring decisions are final and indisputable in all rounds of the Olympiad.