COP30
The University of Reading is an official Observer of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP) process, having participated in almost a decade of the global climate conference and negotiating platform. This status was obtained and maintained by the Walker Institute and underpins our direct research in support of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which we are heavily involved in (particularly WGI on The Physical Science – with most lead authors of any single institution in the world) at UoR.
We will be present at COP30 this year in Belem, Brazil. You can follow our activities during COP30 as well as read updates on what is happening around the world leading up to the UNFCCC conference in November 2025.
COP Climate Action Studio
We, in the Walker Academy, will be thrilled to welcome our new cohort of COPCAS 2025 to our COP Climate Action Studio programme which will be hosted live again this year! During the UNFCCC conference students will engaged remotely with COP30, watching sessions, conducting interviews, and discussing the issues they encounter. They will also be encouraged to relate COP30 to their research topics and translate and communicate COP30 developments to different audiences. They will be engaged with social media, write blogs and produced videos for the Walker Institute communication platforms and other media outlets. Make sure you look out for blogs and other outputs from COPCAS that might help you make sense of COP30 developments posted on the Walker Institute’s website.
COP30 Agenda Themes
The COP30 Action Agenda will be structured around six axes that reflect the breadth and depth of action required to scale and speed up efforts to meet the collective commitments we made under the Paris Agreement and previous COPs:
1. Transitioning Energy, Industry, and Transport
2. Stewarding Forests, Oceans, and Biodiversity
3. Transforming Agriculture and Food Systems
4. Building Resilience for Cities, Infrastructure, and Water
5. Fostering Human and Social Development
6. Cross-cutting enablers and accelerators including financing, technology & capacity building
COP30 Thematic Days
- November 10-11: will highlight the themes of Adaptation, Cities, Infrastructure, Water, Waste, Local Governments, Bioeconomy, Circular Economy, Science, Technology, and Artificial Intelligence, laying the groundwork for climate readiness and resilience across all systems, sectors, communities, and regions.
- November 12–13: Health, Jobs, Education, Culture, Justice and human rights, Information integrity, and Workers. These days also introduce the Global Ethical Stocktake, reinforcing equity and moral responsibility in climate governance.
- November 14–15 zoom in on systems transformation across Energy, Industry, Transport, Trade, Finance, Carbon markets, and Non-CO₂ gases, supporting the global push to triple renewable energy, double energy efficiency, and transition away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly, and equitable manner.
- November 17–18 elevate both planetary and community stewardship — centering on Forests, Oceans, and Biodiversity, while spotlighting Indigenous peoples, Local and traditional communities, Children and Youth, and Small and medium entrepreneurs, showcasing inclusive, grounded, and nature-aligned solutions.
- November 19-20: will address food, agriculture, and equity at their roots, covering Agriculture, Food Systems and Food Security, Fisheries, and Family Farming. They will also emphasize debates related to Women, Gender, Afro-descendant, and Tourism.
Register to Attend COP 30
The University of Reading is granted with Official Observer Status to COP 30. A limited number of observer badges will be made available for virtual observer participation.
We invite researchers, academics, professional services staff, and students from the University of Reading whose work intersects with climate change, sustainability, development, or social justice to join COP30 virtually.
This is a unique opportunity to engage with global conversations and initiatives shaping the future of our planet.
Deadline: 30 September 2025: Virtual Attendance Application
Useful Updates and Information on COP30
Bonn Climate Change Conference, June 2025
Climate diplomats from around the world gathered in Bonn, Germany this June to discuss global efforts to cut emissions and the outcomes of the first GST. You can read the summary report from the IISD Earth Negotiation Bulleting.
COP30 Global Ethical Stocktake (GES)
The Global Ethical Stocktake (GES), a series of regional dialogues and global discussions that aim to integrate ethical considerations, justice, and equity into climate action, complementing the technical Global Stocktake (GST)is a key element in the lead-up to COP30, with the goal of shaping a fairer and safer future for all.
COP30 Presidency Action Agenda Letter
The COP30 President-Designate and Ambassador André Aranha Corrêa do Lago, current secretary of Climate, Energy and Environment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent a letter announcing the COP30 Presidency Action Agenda.