Delivering climate objectives means getting large amounts of finance to the people and projects that need it. Operationalising global finance through effective mechanisms has been a major challenge of the last five years, so urgent action is needed on a global level.

Ahead of the COP30 climate summit taking place in Brazil in November, the IES is focused on the issues that will shape the agenda. A priority for the summit must be facilitating finance getting to the right projects in the right ways.

This panel discussion and roundtable will reflect on the big financial challenges around climate action, including priorities for funding and how to deliver climate policy in practice.

The event is free to attend and open to all.

Format and speakers

So that we have a productive discussion, we will begin with short presentations from a handful of expert speakers, before opening up the discussion into a 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.

• Brigette Reid is an internationally recognised leader in Sustainable Finance, with a career spanning environmental consultancy and investment banking before co-founding Frontierra – a geospatial consultancy helping financial institutions address climate, nature, and deforestation risks. With a background in Environmental Science, she bridges the complexities of finance and environmental systems. She has been appointed as a Green Finance expert to BEIS’ UK PACT programme and is a trustee of the IES.
• Sarah Brownlie is Development Director of Rebuilding Nature, Programme Director at Wilder Carbon, and featured on the ENDS Power List 2025: "I'm driven by the belief that we need to integrate nature and climate resilience into our economic systems to build a more sustainable future. My work focuses on creating scalable, investment-ready solutions for nature recovery through my roles at Kent Wildlife Trust, Wilder Carbon, and Rebuilding Nature. By collaborating with stakeholders across different sectors, I aim to develop approaches that not only protect and restore nature but also demonstrate economic and social value."
• Robbie Epsom is a sustainability leader with 17+ years of experience helping organisations embed ESG strategy and drive systemic positive change. Formerly EMEA Head of Sustainability at CBRE Investment Management, he led award-winning ESG initiatives and serves on multiple international ESG boards and committees. He is a Chartered Environmentalist and Fellow of ICRS and IES.
• Further speakers to be announced over the coming weeks.

About ROAD to COP30

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.

Before COP30, the outcomes of these discussions will be brought together in a position piece, which will used to brief the IES delegates attending COP30.

To find out more about the work of the IES in climate change, learn about our Climate Action Community or consider joining the IES.