Everything you need to know about this year’s crucial climate conference, from where it’s happening to why it matters.

The world’s attention will soon be turning to COP30, taking place in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025. From climate finance and nature protection to loss and damage, COP30 is set to be a pivotal moment in the global climate calendar. Here’s why COP30 matters.

In November 2025, world leaders will meet in Belém, Brazil for COP30 – the 30th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference. But this year’s summit will mark a critical halfway point to 2030, when countries are expected to meet their climate pledges under the Paris Agreement.

The question is: are we on track?

All signs suggest we’re not. Global emissions continue to rise. Climate impacts are escalating. According to the UN’s latest Emissions Gap Report, the world is heading for up to 2.9°C of warming by the end of the century – far above the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target.

For many, COP30 feels like a now-or-never moment; a chance to course-correct and take the bold action needed to rein in global warming. With the Amazon under threat and Brazil positioning itself as a global climate leader, the location adds pressure and symbolism.

Here’s a quick summary: what is COP30 and why does it matter?

  • COP stands for Conference of the Parties, a global climate summit held every year by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). World leaders, scientists, activists, businesses and civil society groups all attend to negotiate how to tackle the climate crisis.
  • This year’s summit is the 30th edition, hence COP30, and it’s particularly significant because 2025 is the deadline for countries to submit their updated national climate plans (known as NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
  • COP30, the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference, will take place in Belém, Brazil, from 10–21 November 2025.
  • Key themes expected to feature prominently: climate finance, nature-based solutions, Indigenous leadership, and concrete action on loss and damage. With the Global Stocktake results from COP28 showing insufficient progress, COP30 may introduce new mechanisms to track and enforce countries’ commitments. Transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes will all be hot topics.

Belém sits on the edge of the Amazon rainforest, one of the world’s most vital ecosystems. The Amazon stores billions of tonnes of carbon and is home to thousands of Indigenous communities and species. Yet it continues to face widespread deforestation, often driven by agriculture, illegal mining, and climate change itself.

By hosting COP30 in the Amazon region, Brazil is inviting the world to confront the climate crisis in a place where its impacts – and solutions – are most visible.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has promised to restore Brazil’s environmental leadership and halt Amazon deforestation by 2030. COP30 will be a test of whether that leadership can inspire international momentum.

Why should businesses and the public care?

What’s discussed and decided at COP30 will affect government policies and shape markets, supply chains, public pressure and investor expectations.

Whether you’re in energy, finance, agriculture, technology or media, the transition to a greener economy is already under way. Understanding what’s being negotiated at COP30 gives you a head start.

Plus, public demand for action is growing, especially among younger generations who will inherit the outcomes of today’s decisions.

What you can do next

  • Stay informed – Follow updates from COP30 on trusted sites like the UNFCCC and Climate Home News.
  • Talk about it. The more people understand what’s at stake, the stronger the push for action.
  • Engage with businesses and local policymakers. Change doesn’t only happen at the top.