How is Rio Climate Action Week Gearing up for COP30?

Rio de Janeiro takes centre stage in 2025 as it hosts the inaugural Rio Climate Action Week (RCAW), an independent and collaborative initiative in support of the Brazilian COP30 Presidency and in partnership with London Climate Action Week.

Inspired by the pioneering model launched in London in 2019, RCAW joins a growing network of city-based climate action weeks across the world, including Auckland, Baku, Bangkok, Dublin, Prague, Shanghai and Sydney.

At a critical juncture for international climate policy, RCAW aims to amplify approaches to accelerating climate action, reflecting the Brazilian call for mutirão (collective effort).

This spirit of collaboration will be key as Brazil prepares to host the COP30 Climate Summit in Belém in November 2025, where expectations are high for strengthened global ambition and unity.

A platform for action

RCAW is designed to be a permanent, multi-annual event, closely aligned with the COP30 Presidency’s six-themed Action Agenda. 

As a decentralised and inclusive festival of climate events, RCAW will bring together governments, businesses, investors, civil society and cultural institutions to showcase solutions and share ideas for building resilience and advancing sustainability.

The programme will include physical hubs across the city, hosting debates, workshops and exhibitions that highlight the intersection of climate action with innovation, sustainable economic development, arts and culture. 

Crucially, RCAW offers an open and low-barrier platform, encouraging participation from a wide spectrum of stakeholders, from local community organisations to global institutions.

“With Brazil already at the center of global attention as the host of COP30, RCAW underscores the region’s relevance in shaping solutions with international impact,” writes Natalia Oliveira, Regional Lead — LatAm, Government Affairs, Policy & Advocacy, Renewables, Energy Transition at Global Renewables Alliance (GRA).

The link to COP30

The programme for RCAW 2025 is designed around the COP30 agenda, aiming to tackle six key areas:

Transitioning Energy, Industry and Transport

This involves shifting away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources, promoting sustainable industrial practices and transitioning to cleaner transportation systems. 

“Energy poverty is a challenge that demands action! During Rio Climate Action Week (RCAW), we will debate this topic and show some solutions that have already been developed and that deserve to be replicated!” says Roberta Cox, COP30 Director at GRA and Brazil Policy Director at Global Wind Energy Council.

Stewarding forests, oceans and biodiversity 

This focuses on protecting and restoring ecosystems, combating deforestation and conserving marine biodiversity.

Transforming agriculture and food systems

This aims to promote sustainable agriculture practices, reduce food waste and ensure food security in the face of climate change.

Building resilience for cities, infrastructure and water 

This involves developing climate-resilient infrastructure, managing water resources effectively and building resilient urban environments.

Fostering human and social development

This focuses on ensuring a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon future, addressing the social and economic impacts of climate change and promoting human well-being. 

Unleashing enablers and accelerators

This includes mobilising finance, promoting technological innovation and building capacity for climate action.

RCAW’s climate objectives

The inaugural RCAW will focus on four key themes designed to support Brazil’s leadership role and global climate ambition:

Supporting Brazil and global climate ambition

In a prominent year for Brazilian diplomacy as host of COP30 and other key international summits, RCAW is set to highlight the importance of multilateralism and international cooperation when it comes to tackling climate challenges and wider complex, intersecting trade and geopolitical challenges facing nations.

Financing inclusive and resilient climate transition

RCAW aims to address the climate finance gap, mobilising domestic, regional and international institutions and thought leaders for innovative and practical new solutions. 

The initiative states: "The gap between national climate plans and investment is vast and growing."

It is estimated that US$8tn a year is needed to finance the climate transition globally, rising to US$10tn a year after 2030, according to RCAW.

“Together with the Climate High-Level Champions, we are leading the RCAW Thematic Hub on Risk, Resilience & Insurance, bringing the insurance perspective to the centre of the climate agenda,” writes Andoni Hernández Bengoa,  Executive Chairman Brazil & LATAM Regional Counsel at Howden, on LinkedIn.

“We are here not only to talk about solutions — but to deliver them.”

Delivering a net zero, resilient Rio and Brazil
RCAW is aiming to support city leadership to deliver a net zero, resilient Rio De Janeiro and Brazil by helping accelerate efforts towards a just and inclusive climate transition.  

RCAW i set to help develop synergies between public, private and voluntary sector organisations in order to encourage collaboration and build a ‘Climate Cluster’ of Rio’s dynamic climate and sustainability leaders.

Mobilising whole-of-society climate action

The initiative wants to create a new city-wide platform, connecting with other global climate action weeks, to engage across sectors and mobilise “whole of society” climate action vital to support deep decarbonisation and resilience. 

An aim for RCAW is to expand the range of organisations and institutions engaged in the climate policy, debate and action, including through partnership with cities across Brazil, through the international diaspora of Brazilians globally and with other global cities.

Building on Brazil’s legacy

From the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, which laid the foundations of global sustainability architecture, to COP30 in 2025, Brazil has played a defining role in shaping climate diplomacy. 

RCAW builds on this legacy, serving as a space for healthy, solutions-driven debate while rejecting any platform that undermines the Paris Agreement or global commitments.

In 2025, Rio Climate Action Week will not only prepare the ground for COP30 but will also demonstrate the power of cities and communities to lead on climate action. 

As part of a global mutirão, RCAW will help position Brazil at the heart of efforts to drive collective, ambitious and just solutions for planetary wellbeing.