UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) Belém

  • – , Belém, Brazil

The 30th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate   Change (UNFCCC) will convene from 10 to 21 November 2025. It will take place in Belém, Pará, Brazil.

Pre-COP30 Event 

The University of São Paulo (USP) will host the PRE-COP30 Event on November 6–7, 2025, at the University Campus in São Paulo.  The initiative precedes the Belém conference and aims to broaden the dialogue on the transformations required to build an environmentally balanced and socially just future.  Learn More & Register

IUCA COP30 Engagement

Wednesday 12 November

10.00 – 11.15 (GMT) (check your local timezone)

To mark Education Day at COP30, join this global online event

Register: The Journey to Net Zero: Insights and Learning from Universities Leading the Transition

Universities are uniquely positioned at the heart of the climate crisis response – shaping the next generation of leaders, driving emissions reduction on and beyond campus, and influencing regional and national net zero policy.

Co-Hosted by:  The Environmental Association of Colleges and Universities (EAUC) and the IUCA

Monday 17 November 

12:00 – 13:00 (BRT) – SMEs at Risk, SMEs as Solution – A High-Level COP30 Dialogue

Hosted by: SME Climate Hub in the Blue Zone COP30 Business Pavilion 

Member Activity at COP30 

Monday 10 November

University of Leeds (Pavilion Event – Venue TBC)

Earth Information Day – Updates on observations related to global climate change

15:00 – 18:00 (BRT) – Venue TBC

A presentation based on the Indicators of Global Climate Change initiative will be delivered by Professor Piers Forster during the opening plenary segment as part of the thematic area on: Updates on the state of the climate, Earth observations and related initiatives. This will share the latest data and information related to observed key indicators of global climate change and an indication of gaps in observation as well as where further development of observation systems is required.

University of Colorado Boulder & Partners (UNFCCC Exhibit)

Booth 13, 10-15 Nov

Public and private institutions of Colorado (USA) participate in local to global partnerships that increase and communicate knowledge and develop effective strategies to deal with the challenges of climate change, sustainability and the protection of communities and natural resources.

University of Exeter & Partners (UNFCCC Exhibit)

Booth 27, 10 – 15 Nov

AmazonFACE: showcasing the world’s largest open-air climate change experiment at the heart of the Amazon forest to inform climate policy. Free-Air CO2 Enrichment methods (FACE) test future resilience of carbon sinks and improve calculations of carbon budgets for keeping global warming well below 2°C.

Tuesday 11 November

University of Oxford & Partners (UNFCCC Side Event)

From Trade-offs to Synergies: Aligning Climate and Biodiversity Policies

13:15-14:45 (BRT) –  Side Event Room 3

This event brings together experts from across government, academia, and NGOs to explore synergies between climate and biodiversity agendas in NDCs, NBSAPs, and NAPs, highlighting the role of Brazil’s forests and how threats like wildfires may undermine joint solutions amid climate overshoot.

Speakers:  Representatives of government (Brazil & Colombia), academia (EMBRAPA, Univ. of Oxford and Lancaster) and civil society (Greenpeace, Instituto Igarapé, SOS Mata Atlântica, and WWF).

Presented by: University of Oxford, Greenpeace International, SOS Atlantic Forest Foundation, WWF

University of Helsinki & Partners (Finland Pavilion Event)

Shaping the future of climate change adaptation

17:00-18:00 (BRT) – Finland Pavilion

(In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland) 

This session will present the key messages from the Nordic Conference on Climate Change Adaptation 2025 (NOCCA), held in Finland. Key messages relate to transboundary climate risks in an interconnected world, enhance the understanding of limits to adaptation and ensuring adaptation for all through justice and novel approaches.

Wednesday 12 November

University of New South Wales (UNSW) & Partners (UNFCCC Side Event)

Resilient Transitions: Indigenous Wisdom and Inclusive Governance for Adaptation and Climate Justice

18:30-20:00 (BRT) – Side Event Room 3

This event weaves Indigenous leadership, artistic expression, and inclusive policy to explore just transitions through ancestral knowledge and community action. Voices from the Global South and North reveal pathways for adaptation, loss & damage, and resilience rooted in equity and cultural wisdom.

Speakers: First Nations leaders (COIAB, Australia, DRC), Ministry of environment Brazil, ENERGIES 2050, Earth Savers Movement, University of New South Wales, Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV), South-South Cooperation Council, The Climate Institute, ART’S PLANET, COP29 NGO Coalition, Climate Envoy of Kenya.

Presented by:  University of New South Wales (UNSW), Energies 2050, Earth Savers Movement (ESM)

University of Helsinki & Aalto University (Finland Pavilion Event)

Science Night: Drinks and Debate for Climate Change

18:00-20:00 (BRT) – Finland Pavilion, PVC63, Blue Zone

An interactive event designed to inspire critical thinking and foster cross-disciplinary dialogue on climate action. We invite researchers, businesses, policymakers, activists, and various communities attending COP to participate and engage in discussions about current research on climate change and sustainability transformation.

The first segment will focus on a series of debates, spanning topics such as carbon storage in forests and built environments, long-term greenhouse gas monitoring in cities, the environmental footprint of digital technologies, and the resilience of forest ecosystems under climate stress. Together, these perspectives highlight how science can guide both mitigation and adaptation.

In the second hour, participants are encouraged to mingle, network, and continue the conversation over drinks in a relaxed atmosphere.

Thursday 13 November

University of Colorado Boulder, University of California San Diego & Partners (UNFCCC Side Event)

Driving Climate Impact from the Ground Up

11:30-13:00 (BRT) – Side Event Room 3

Implementing New Forest Economies, Climate Finance, Indigenous Digital Sovereignty, and Climate Communications at the Subnational Level: perspectives from GCF Task Force Governors, Indigenous and Community leaders, and Partners on Building and Implementing New Forest Economies.

Speakers: Govs. Barbalho & Lima, BRZ; Gov. Gambini, PER; Gov.Ruiz, COL; Gov. Reategui, ECU; Gov.Aguilar, BOL; Ch.Randolph, California; Sec.Arara, GCFtf Global Cmte; Gov. Lezama, MEX; Gov. Noor, IND; Mr. Esach, CONFENIAE; F. Chimatani, ANECAP; M. Steen, DSE; J. Barbosa,CNS; M. Boykoff, CU; F. Munoz, PER

Presented by: University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder), University of California, Pronatura Sur, A C.

University of Leeds & Partners (UNFCCC Side Event)

Unlocking Food Systems Change Through Farmer-Led Research and Policy Innovation

15:00-16:30 (BRT) – Side Event Room 4

This session explores how farmer-led co-research and innovation, supported by scientists and governments, can reshape policies and institutions to unlock inclusive, climate-resilient food systems with better nutrition and more effective, higher quality financing.

Speakers: Netherlands representative, Brazil representative, AgriCord representative, SACAU representative, Clim-Eat representative, WUR representative, University of Leeds representative

Presented by: University of Leeds, Stichting Clim-Eat, AgriCord vzw, Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU), Vietnam, Wageningen University (WUR)

University of Helsinki & Aalto University (Finland Pavilion Event)

Learning to change the world: Reimagining education for Sustainability Transformation

11:00 – 12:00 (BRT) – Finland Pavilion

As climate change reshapes every dimension of our lives, higher education must evolve to keep up and equip students, professionals, and communities with the skills and mindsets needed for a rapidly changing world.

Meeting future challenges requires a fundamental transformation in how we educate, developing not only technical expertise but also systemic, social, and ethical competencies.

Higher education has a vital role in helping to navigate uncertainty and drive change across sectors. This session explores how higher education can embed climate competencies, foster cross-sector collaboration, and prepare future professionals to lead sustainability transitions.

How can we accelerate worldwide carbon capture and storage efforts?

15:00-16:00 (BRT) – Finland Pavilion

Friday 14 November

University of Leeds (Super Pollutant Solutions Pavilion Event)

Super-charging action on super pollutants: why action on non-CO2 emissions must benefit both people and planet

15:00 – 16:00 (BRT) – Super Pollutant Solutions Pavilion

This event will highlight the latest trends in key super pollutants; identify what these mean for key climate indicators; discuss how reducing super pollutant emissions can provide co-benefits for climate and society, supporting human health outcomes; and highlight the need for ambitious and integrated health, air quality and climate policies and action.

University of Melbourne & University of Oxford (Australian Pavilion Event)

Corporate net zero accountability: how do we get there?

15:00 – 16:00, Australian Pavilion

How can governments combat greenwashing and enhance high-integrity corporate/financial efforts? What tools can move beyond target-setting towards implementation? Emerging accountability mechanisms seek to turn climate commitments into net zero delivery. Building on insights from the Taskforce on Net Zero Policy’s second report, this panel discusses key policy/regulatory developments and trends. 

Speakers: Jacqueline Peel (moderator) – Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor; Kathleen Fitzpatrick Australian Laureate Fellow, University of Melbourne, Helena Viñes Fiestas – Commissioner of the Spanish Financial Markets Authority and Chair the EU Platform on Sustainable Finance; Co-chair of the Taskforce on Net Zero Policy, Nathan Fabian – Co-chair of the Taskforce on Net Zero Policy, and Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) Chief Responsible Investment Officer
Joana Setzer – Associate Professorial Research Fellow at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, London School of Economics (LSE), Kaya Axelsson- Head of Policy and Partnerships at Oxford Net Zero
Rana Ghoneim – Director of the Division of Energy and Climate Action, UN Industrial Development Organization

Presented by: The University of Melbourne

University of Helsinki (Finland Pavilion Event)

Building Climate Competence and Citizenship for the Future

12:00-13:00 (BRT) – Finland Pavilion

National University of Singapore (NUS) & Partners (Singapore Pavilion Event)

Making Healthcare Count: The Power of Life Cycle Assessment in Healthcare

10:00-11:15 – Singapore Pavilion

How can healthcare systems decarbonise without first knowing their footprint? This session explores how baselining and life cycle assessment (LCA) are reshaping how health systems measure and manage emissions. Featuring the global launch of a new healthcare LCA platform, we look at how clinicians and healthcare workers can uncover the emissions behind everyday product and clinical process, empowering them to make data-driven, low-carbon choices.

Speakers: Miss Manjit Kaur Sohal, Head of Strategy and Impact, NUS Centre for Sustainable Medicine, Mr Thomas Andrew, Head of Health System Analysis, Centre for Sustainable Medicine, National University of Singapore, Moderator: Miss Manjit Kaur Sohal, Head of Strategy and Impact, NUS Centre for Sustainable Medicine

Panellist(s): Miss Maria Blomenhofer, Project Manager and Advocacy, WECF Germany, Prof Nick Watts, Director, National University of Singapore – Centre for Sustainable Medicine, Sarin KC, Head of the Environmental Economics Unit, Heath Intervention and Technology Assessment Program Foundation (HITAP), Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, Mr William Liew, Deputy Director, Energy and Climate Policy, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment

Additional Links:

Member University Dedicated COP30 Pages

Explore 2025/2026’s 10 New Insights in Climate Science
Launched ahead of COP30, leading scientists from around the world, including within the IUCA network, review the most pressing findings in climate change-related research. Summarised into 10 concise insights, the result has always been a rich and valuable synthesis for policy and society at large.

Blue Zone Venue Map

Research & Independent NGOs (RINGO) at COP30

Science for Climate Action Pavilion

More COP30 Blue Zone Pavilions

Please also refer to the following main sources for COP30 information, which are continuously updated as information becomes available.

Outcomes

https://smeclimatehub.org/3-takeaways-from-belem-how-smes-are-at-risk-but-are-also-the-solution