Joseph Lewis
18 August 2025

ROAD to COP30: Online climate event series

Offshore wind farm in turbulent weather with text: "ROAD to COP30 online discussion event series: Reimagining systems, Operationalising finance, Adapting to 1.5 plus degrees, Delivering solutions"

In early to mid November 2025, COP30 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change will be held in Belém, Brazil. This will be a pivotal summit: it falls at a critical point in the climate treaty process and an urgent moment in the fight for climate action.

Between now and COP30, the IES will be holding four online discussion events. The four discussion events will each tackle a different theme, covering some of the most urgent priorities for COP30:

  • Reimagining systems
  • Operationalising finance
  • Adapting to 1.5+ degrees
  • Delivering solutions

These events will be free to attend and open to everyone, starting with a short panel discussion followed by an open 'roundtable' format. The format will allow everyone to contribute their perspectives, but will also give you a chance to hear from leading professionals if you would prefer to take a back seat in the discussion.

Ahead of COP30, the outcomes of these discussions will be brought together in a position piece, which will contribute to the way we brief our IES delegates at COP30 itself. This event series is based on our successful STAGES on the road to COP26 project, which led to the creation of the IES's Manifesto for Transformative Change.

    Reimagining systems 

    Climate action requires transformative change away from the systems of consumption and production that embed climate pressures. This panel discussion and roundtable will consider the core social and economic systems that we need to reimagine as we work towards a world with thriving people, a healthy economy, and a flourishing environment. 

    Operationalising finance 

    Delivering climate objectives means getting large amounts of finance to the people and projects that need it. Operationalising global finance through mechanisms such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures has been a major challenge of the last five years, so must be a priority for discussions around COP30. This panel discussion will look at practical steps and how we can facilitate finance getting to the right projects in the right ways. 

    Adapting to 1.5 plus degrees 

    Despite a significant increase in focus at recent COPs, climate adaptation remains underfunded and under-recognised. With the prospect of a world beyond 1.5 degrees looking increasingly likely, how can we adapt to the challenges posed by flooding, droughts, food insecurity, and energy resilience? This panel discussion will look at some of the big challenges and how COP30 can make meaningful progress on adaptation. 

    Delivering solutions 

    To meet the scale of the challenge posed by climate change, the focus of COPs must rapidly move from discussion to delivery. We know what we need to do, and a strong public mandate for ambitious solutions has continued to grow. This panel discussion will look at how we can move from aspiration to action, using the pivotal opportunity of COP30 to achieve our climate goals in practice. 

    What next?

    Each discussion event will open for sign-ups over the coming weeks. 

    Image credit: © Dieter via AdobeStock