The International Bar Association (IBA) - the global voice of the legal profession - continues to champion the role of lawyers and legal institutions in advancing the global climate agenda on the international stage.
This year, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) is taking place in Belem, Brazil, from 10-21 November 2025. This is a significant COP, marking ten years since the adoption of the Paris Agreement , and a new era of climate ambition as countries submit Nationally Determined Contributions that set their targets for climate mitigation for the next decade. COP30 also takes place in the wake of landmark advisory opinions delivered by international courts this year, which clarify the obligations of parties to align with the 1.5 degree temperature goal of the Paris Agreement.
As an official observer organisation to the UNFCCC, this year - as always - the IBA will be on the ground in Brazil representing the legal profession at the conference, and in key events alongside the COP30 discussions. These include:
- 7-8 November: Pre-COP30 Global Summit: Ahead of COP30, the IBA supported a pre-COP meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sessions featured discussions on the role of lawyers and legal associations in the energy transition, climate litigation and much more. Learn more here .
- 14 November 2025 (online): Climate Law and Governance Day 2025: Held annually alongside the UNFCCC COP by the Climate Law and Governance Initiative
