Energy, Biodiversity & Social Development: What is COP30?
COP30 is the 30th United Nations Conference of the Parties which sees world leaders and experts propose measures to fight climate change.
COP is made up of 198 participating countries, making it one of the largest multilateral bodies in the United Nations system.
The 2025 conference will include discussions on climate finance, the socio-economic impacts of climate change and the compatibility of emission reduction targets with climate science.
November 2025 sees COP30 take place in Belém, Brazil.
The host country holds logistical, diplomatic and environmental responsibilities around the event including a high standard of infrastructure.
The COP30 Presidency says Belém will adopt sustainable practices including offsetting carbon emissions, using renewable energy in event facilities and promoting a circular economy with a focus on recycling and reusing materials.
The history of COP
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) launched the Conference of the Parties (COP) in 1995, which is the body responsible for decision-making on climate change commitments.
The UNFCCC was launched with the aim of negotiating an agreement to limit climate change.
It encourages developed countries to lead efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide resources in developing countries.
COP is an annual global meeting where world leaders, scientists and organisations gather to discuss actions to tackle climate change.
What is the Paris Agreement?
COP30 will continue discussions around the Paris Agreement which was signed at COP21 in 2015.
This is a legally binding international treaty on climate change which was adopted by 195 parties.
Its goal is to hold the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.
The IPCC says that greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2025 at the latest and decline 43% by 2030 to limit global warming to this level.
The UNFCCC is tracking progress of the Paris Agreement through an Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF).
Under the ETF, countries report transparently on actions taken and progress in climate change mitigation and support provided or received.
Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, more countries and regions are establishing carbon neutrality targets, especially in the power and transport sectors.
Brazilâs preparation for COP30
Brazil hosted the inaugural Rio Climate Action Week (RCAW) in August 2025.
The event took place in support of the COP30 Presidency and helped prepare the country for Novemberâs climate summit.
RCAWâs agenda was based on COP30âs, focusing on energy, agriculture and social development among other topics.
This initiative helped the country set its goals towards climate action ahead of COP30.
Key objectives at COP30
COP30 will focus on monitoring progress since COP29 and accelerating future action.
It involves 30 key objectives covering areas including energy, biodiversity, agriculture and social development, with the overarching goal of limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5°C.
AndrĂ© Correa Do Lago, COP30 President Designate, says: âNow is the moment for action, when crisis is met with opportunity.
“Now is the time we begin to decisively change by choice, together.”
What comes after COP30?
With just five years until 2030 and 25 years to 2050, the deadlines for climate action are getting closer.
The conference will also look ahead to COP31, due to take place in 2026.
The location for COP31 has not yet been decided, with bids from Australia and Turkey still on the table.
COP31 will look at changes since COP30 and will focus on progress towards 2030 emissions targets with just four years to go.