The COP, or Conference of the Parties, is the largest and most important climate meeting in the world. Organized by the United Nations (UN), the event reaches its 30th edition in 2025 and will take place in Brazil, in the city of Belém, Pará. Below, find out everything you need to know about the COP.
What is COP - United Nations Climate Change Conference? Â
Since 1995, global leaders have gathered annually to discuss and negotiate the direction and progress of countries and society in addressing the climate crisis at the Conference of the Parties, known as COP. The event is held under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) and, in 2025, will reach its 30th edition, taking place in Brazil, in the city of Belém, Pará state.
The meetings are organized by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN body responsible for global discussions on climate warming. At these conferences, participants discuss action plans to tackle climate change.
How did COP originate?
The origins of COP trace back to several years before the first official convention. It all started in Rio de Janeiro, in 1992, during Rio-92, an event of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. That year, delegations from 175 countries began discussions on plans to combat the impacts of greenhouse gases and to promote a more sustainable global economy.
It was in Rio-92 conference that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was established, an international treaty for climate cooperation that became the foundation of the COPs by instituting the limitation of average global temperature increases. From that point, the climate conference took shape and held its first edition in 1995.
What are the key milestones of the COPs?
Below, find the most important moments from the climate meetings and the decisions impacting the forestry sector.
1997: COP3 – Kyoto, Japan Â
The landmark of the meeting was the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol, the first global agreement to set binding goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, specifically directed at developed countries. It took eight years for the countries involved to ratify the agreement, which entered into force in 2005 and established specific goals for each participating country.
2015: COP21 – Paris, France
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the COP, the meeting in the French capital established a historic milestone: the Paris Agreement. The commitment set the goal of holding the increase in the global average temperature to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. The countries also agreed to pursue efforts to limit the global average temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.  Just before the conference, several nations submitted their first Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are the official climate action goals.
2021: COP26 – Glasgow, United Kingdom Â
This edition established the Glasgow Pact, which consolidated the understanding from previous years that a 2ºC limit is insufficient and that it is necessary to pursue the goal of limiting global average temperature increase  to 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels. Furthermore, the meeting approved the establishment of a global carbon market, setting rules for the trading of carbon credits.
2022: COP27 - Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
The meeting in Egypt brought to light discussions about the need to support countries that are vulnerable to climate impacts and therefore suffer from natural disasters. To this end, a loss and damage fund was established with the aim of advancing climate justice. Moreover, the first discussions arose regarding how planted forest projects can generate carbon credits.
2023: COP28 Dubai – United Arab Emirates Â
The Dubai meeting carried out the first global stocktake of the Paris Agreement and made it clear that current efforts remain insufficient to achieve the established climate goals. Another relevant point is that countries have begun to enter into bilateral cooperation agreements in the carbon market.
2024: COP29 – Baku, Azerbaijan Â
COP29 made progress in discussions on climate finance and determined that developed countries should take the lead in providing at least US$300 billion by 2035, enabling developing countries to implement measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. For the forestry sector, progress was marked by the approval of general rules for carbon removals through planted forests.
Who can participate in the COP?
The main objective of the COP is to bring together the, known as "Parties," which are basically the 196 countries that have joined the Convention. The Parties are represented by heads of state and other government representatives, forming the delegations of the countries. These people advocate for climate agendas, are present on negotiation agendas, and have voting power over COP decisions. These groups have access to the Blue Zone.
In addition to formal delegations, there are also observers. These people are allowed to watch the negotiations—an arrangement that enhances transparency throughout the process—but they do not have voting rights. Observers may include members of NGOs, community groups, academics, industry representatives, and Indigenous leaders. Becoming a COP observer requires completing the admission process managed by the UNFCCC—there is no option to simply buy a ticket to the COP. These groups are also present in the Blue Zone.
The number of credentials granted to States and observer institutions is determined by the UNFCCC and depends on the capacity of the host city. For example, at COP 26 in Glasgow in 2021, the number of credentials was highly restricted, whereas at COP 28 in Dubai, attendance reached a record high.
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How are COP conferences organized?
COPs draw thousands of participants each year, but they not always gather in the same areas. The event is organized into dedicated spaces for the various groups present. The main locations are:
Blue Zone
The area where official negotiations between participating countries take place. This space is organized by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and access is restricted to those with credentials issued by official delegations (technical teams from countries and government-appointed representatives), heads of state, observer institutions (including NGOs, universities, and industry associations), and accredited journalists.
The Blue Zone includes several negotiation rooms, plenary halls for events, panel areas, and small offices designated for each country. In addition, there are pavilions for countries and other stakeholders, such as the Legal Amazon Consortium, the Standards Pavilion, and pavilions for NGOs like WWF, among others.
In the Blue Zone, the UNFCCC sets an official agenda that includes negotiation topics, special events, and panels. This agenda is regularly updated on the organization's website, even during the weeks of the COP, since many items are dynamic and discussions can arise spontaneously.
As part of its institutional agenda, the COP designates thematic days to focus on specific topics.
Representatives from the private sector and civil society can access the Blue Zone with credentials provided by observer organizations or national governments. For example, the Ecofuturo Institute is accredited as an observer organization with access to the Blue Zone, and the °µÍøAV delegation has traditionally entered the area using credentials provided by Ecofuturo, the federal government, and industry associations.
Green Zone
An open space to the public and accessible to everyone. In this area, civil society, governmental institutions, global leaders, private companies, and other organizations can engage in dialogue, participate in events, and explore thematic pavilions. The purpose of this area is to expand the conversation, offer access to information, and reflect on the discussions held in the Blue Zone. °µÍøAV is involved in several events and meetings that take place in the Green Zone.
The existing pavilions at Blue and Green Zone have their specific agendas.
Side Events
Activities held alongside the official COP agenda, such as lectures, panel discussions, and dinners, but outside the main conference spaces. °µÍøAV also participates in these side events.
What is discussed during the COPs?
Overall, the central focus of the COPs is the current state of global warming, the impacts of climate change on the planet, and which measures need to be taken and are being taken to address the climate crisis. It also assesses whether commitments and agreements are being honored, such as the Paris Agreement and the global goal of tripling renewable energy capacity.
Given the complexity of the discussions, which involve the diverse interests of nearly 200 countries, each conference tends to have its own focus or set of priorities during the negotiations. At the same time, however, multiple issues are addressed concurrently, including emission reductions, climate adaptation, climate finance, clean technologies, environmental preservation and conservation, biodiversity, water security, climate justice, and others.
There are many goals, commitments and actions that need to be effectively implemented to achieve the desired outcomes. Given the diversity of topics and agendas, the COP presidency grouped all the demands into 30 key objectives ().
How does the private sector participate in the COP?
Companies typically attend events in the Blue Zone (with credentials), the Green Zone, or side events. They showcase progress in their production processes and sustainability practices, seek dialogue with various groups, advocate for sector-specific causes, influence key policy discussions, participate in negotiations, and work to strengthen their reputation. Organizations can hold bilateral meetings and present reports and proposals to foster debate on the impacts of climate change across different sectors of society.
Since COP covers a range of topics—such as climate adaptation, just transition, and carbon markets—each company focuses on the issues most relevant to its business or sector, jointly with associations, while also having the opportunity to engage with representatives from diverse sectors, adding dynamism to the agenda.
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SB COP: the Brazilian private sector taking center stage at COP30
Inspired by the B20, the official business dialogue forum with G20 leaders, the Sustainable Business COP (SB COP) initiative was created to bring together business leaders from Brazil and other regions around the world. Conceived by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), SB COP aims to amplify the voice of businesses in international climate negotiations, especially during COP30, by establishing a permanent channel to present recommendations, projects, and concrete solutions for decarbonization and the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Through SB COP, Brazilian companies have the opportunity to influence discussions, share best practices, collaborate to make public policies and international commitments more ambitious and realistic, and position the private sector as a strategic partner to governments and other stakeholders in the pursuit of practical solutions to climate challenges.
In addition to the pulp and paper industry, sectors such as energy, chemicals, agribusiness, and finance are also represented at SB COP, broadening the impact and the diversity of solutions proposed by Brazil’s private sector.
How will COP30 be organized in Brazil?
Scheduled for November 10 to 21, 2025, the conference will be held in Belém, the capital of Pará, Brazil. It is expected that 60,000 people will attend the event, including 7,000 from UN teams and delegations of the signatory countries.
This year, as an exception, the high-level meeting, limited to heads of state, will be held a few days before the official start of the COP, due to security and logistical concerns.
The Blue Zone and Green Zone pavilions will be located in the City Park, in Belém, and will house hubs and thematic pavilions dedicated to topics such as climate finance, innovation, biodiversity, and clean technology.
Some institutions will be located in Belém, occupying venues spread throughout the city, each with their own parallel programming. Examples include Cubo Itaú, TED, Casa Brasil, CASE, and Embrapa's Agrizone space, all hosting a variety of events. That is, during the two weeks of the COP, events will be taking place all across the city.
In parallel with the COP, the UNFCCC Â holds other events and interim meetings, such as sessions of technical and scientific subsidiary bodies, as well as regional climate weeks.
Events related to the Climate agenda will not be limited to COP and the city of Belém. Cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo already host a variety of events and activities related to the topic.
What are the expectations for COP30?
As part of the official agenda, a preparatory meeting is held every year in Bonn, Germany, before the main conference, serving as a barometer for the COP. Â At this meeting, the delegations focus on technical negotiations, striving to advance the discussions as much as possible in order to reach a satisfactory outcome during the conference.
In this year's edition, the work carried out in Bonn was viewed positively given the priority agenda for organizing COP30. The priority topics of the Brazilian presidency include:
- Strengthening multilevel governance, ensuring that multilateralism and dialogue lead to concrete breakthroughs and consensus
- Defining the indicators for the global goal on climate adaptation
- Making progress in the just transition program
- Continuing to follow up on the outcomes of the 2023 Global Stocktake, which was a comprehensive assessment of the Paris Agreement
- Expanding discussions on climate finance, with the goal of increasing available resources — including the ambition to mobilize US$1.3 trillion for decarbonization and US$300 billion by 2035, to be transferred from developed to developing countries.
The topic of carbon credits and removals is not currently on the agenda to be discussed this year.
There is also an expectation that this COP will be more inclusive, with greater participation from traditional populations and civil society organizations. After three editions hosted in countries with authoritarian regimes, it is expected that the number of protests and demonstrations in public spaces will be significantly higher.
Furthermore, Brazil has a unique opportunity to demonstrate to the world not only the importance of the Amazon, but also that both the country and Latin America provide real and scalable solutions—particularly those related to the bioeconomy—that can contribute to the next stages of combating the climate crisis.
Conclusion Â
The decisions made in negotiation rooms resonate throughout society and can influence matters such as the use of fossil fuels, investment in renewable energy, and have effects ranging from product prices to the creation of new laws. Â Discussions can also influence consumer behavior, leading consumers to demand more from governments and companies by insisting that products demonstrate a commitment to environmental and climate responsibility.
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