COP30 takes place from 10th November 2025 – 21st November 2025 in Belém, Brazil. As with the COPs that have gone before it COP30 aims include continued mobilisation of the Paris Agreement’s key tenets as well as a focus on six critical ‘Action Agenda Axes’ including areas such as Stewarding Forests, Oceans, and Biodiversity and Building Resilience for Cities, Infrastructure, and Water.
We know that high-level negotiations, ratified international agreements, and bold protests are par for course at COP. But in the blog below we’ll be looking at those lesser known moments – with a slant towards nature – that you’ll want to keep your eyes and ears open for as the countdown to the world’s foremost climate conference begins.
1. Activation Groups at COP30
COP30 is hoping to drive forward the aforementioned Action Agenda with the help of 30 dedicated ‘Action Groups’ composed of representatives from business, civil society organisations, investors, and more all working together on one of 30 dedicated climate objectives. When it comes to nature-focused groups they include AG6: efforts to conserve, protect, and restore nature and ecosystems with solutions for climate, biodiversity and desertification, AG7: efforts to preserve and restore coastal ecosystems and AG8: Land Restoration and Sustainable Agriculture. The full list can be viewed here.
André Aranha Correa do Lago, President Designate of COP30 has called for this COP to ‘be the moment we inaugurate a new era when collective action becomes our most enduring climate solution’. And the Activation Groups it seems are an integral part of realising this vision, using the four-step process identified below.
- Coordinate initiatives launched at previous COPs around common Key Objectives;
- Measure the results generated by these initiatives and present them transparently within the Climate Convention channels and at COP;
- Demonstrate that many solutions already exist for the climate, the economy, and people, providing real-world cases for the creation of a “Granary of Solutions”;
- Jointly scale existing solutions, with concrete plans to accelerate implementation by 2028, the end of the current Global Stocktake (GST-1) period.
2. TED Countdown House at COP30
TED often has a presence at COP, but for the latest iteration they are ramping things up with a dedicated physical space: The CountDown House at Belem’s iconic Casa Mia venue that’s designed to ‘bring together innovators, business leaders, scientists, activists and Indigenous knowledge keepers to reimagine what’s possible’. The full line up is yet to be published but a look back at COP26 livestream Countdown should give a flavour of what’s to come. Here the focus was around five key themes: A Pathway Opens, Reducing, Protecting, Transforming and One Planet with big names including Christiana Figueres – an internationally recognised leader in climate change – grassroots campaigner Rosamund Kissi-Debrah – and Mexican climate activist Xiye Bastida.
3. Art for Climate: COP30
The People’s Palace Projects and Julie’s Bicycle will bring us ‘Art for Climate’ in the lead up to COP30. Here three Brazilian Artists Collectives (see main image) from three biomes will bring us three original works responding to the climate emergency put on public display in their home territories. With backgrounds that touch on everything from connections to forests to the relationship between nature and urbanity and LGBTQIA+ protagonism in art and resistance actions, we can expect visuals that strike an emotive chord.
Culture is essential in shaping climate action, as it raises awareness and restores knowledge that teaches us how to live in harmony with the Earth. In this context, art stands out by transforming environmental urgency into images, sounds, and narratives that move people and inspire change. By bringing culture and art together, we strengthen ancestral memory, foster social engagement, and open pathways towards more sustainable futures.”
— Olinda Tupinambá, a Tupinambá and Pataxó Hãhãhãe journalist, documentary and filmmaker from Bahia, Brazil
4. The Belém Desk: Climate with Nature Newsroom at COP30
The Institute for Climate and Society (iCS) and Nature4Climate, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and the United Nations Environmental Programme have come together to give nature its own newsroom at COP30. Now closed for applications this unique programme offers Brazil-based and worldwide journalists ‘deep editorial support, exclusive access to briefings and high-level spokespeople, and a collaborative platform to amplify diverse voices during the UNFCCC COP30 in Belém’. This will include field visits to Amazon-based projects and territories (with limited availability).
5. Marcele Oliveira: COP30 Youth Climate Champion
As a university student Marcele Oliveira noticed a distinct lack of trees and greenery around her neighbourhood while on route to campus. Identifying what she deemed as “environmental racism” she started a campaign to create the Parque Realengo Susana Naspolini on the site of a former Army munitions factory. The park was officially opened in June 2024, as it seems was Oliveira’s pathway to a prominent seat at the COP30 table, beating 153 other hopefuls to the COP30 Youth Climate Champion role. Marcele’s climate credentials include being the Executive Director of PerifaLAB – a Brazilian collective and RioOnWatch partner organisation that advocates for climate justice and community empowerment in favelas – co-founder of the Climate Is for Change Coalition and a member of the team of Young Climate Negotiators of the Municipal Secretariat for Environment and Climate in Rio de Janeiro. She says:
I believe the image of a Black woman in Brasil has a significant impact, but it’s not just about me. It’s about building something collectively with the diversity of our biomes, a qualified team, the COP30 presidency, and anyone interested in the concept of a climate task force.
The COP is a process. It’s neither the final result nor the finish line. It’s an important protocol that allows countries to discuss climate change. However, negotiations require pressure and people—a task force is truly necessary for this topic to be addressed with the seriousness it deserves in our lives. This will allow us to combat climate disinformation and promote environmental education, especially in underserved areas.
COP30 resources to try
Keen to learn more about COP30? Why not try one of the resources below:
COP30 podcast: Listen to COP30: Can Brazil deliver a global breakthrough? from Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast
COP30 webinar: Registering for the UNESCO webinar series on greening communities on the road to COP30
COP30 newsletter: Sign up to Carbon Brief’s Daily Briefing – with a COP focused briefing released closer to the time
COP30 infographic: John Lang’s COP infographic was last updated for COP26, but still gives a really strong overview of COP’s history
