COP30, taking place in Belém, Brazil from 10 to 21 November 2025, arrives at a critical moment for the global climate agenda. The world has already warmed by 1.4C compared to pre-industrial levels, with 2024 marking the hottest year on record. Ecosystems are showing signs of strain, from coral reef dieback to accelerating glacier retreat, while biodiversity is collapsing at unprecedented rates.
Despite decades of negotiations, national commitments remain insufficient. Fossil fuel production continues to rise, emissions reductions lag behind targets, and the pathways needed to stay below 1.5C are increasingly out of reach.
At the same time, there is a leadership gap in global climate governance. While some governments are stepping forward to guide international efforts, businesses and investors are playing a growing role, financing innovation, advancing clean energy and supporting resilience measures.
This guide provides a detailed overview of COP30, focusing on four interconnected pillars: nature, clean energy, adaptation and resilience, and transport and the built environment. Each section examines progress to date, policy developments, financing mechanisms, and practical opportunities for corporate action.
This report has been produced as part of edie’s Countdown to COP series of content, providing our readers with up-to-date information on how the conference is shaping up. Throughout the two weeks in November, edie will be running daily round-ups, podcasts, deep dives and an end-of-event summary report of all the key developments at COP30. To access all edie COP30 content – tailored exclusively for Members – click here.