PML at the UN Climate Change Meeting COP30

Monday 10 November 2025 - Friday 21 November 2025

Location: Belém, Brazil

PML’s ocean, cryosphere and climate experts will be playing active parts in the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), in Belém, Brazil from 10- 21 November 2025. With global temperatures hitting record highs, and extreme weather events affecting people around the globe, COP30 will bring together leaders from governments, business and civil society to advance concrete solutions to the defining issue of our time. This COP30 is particularly important as it marks a critical halfway point to 2030, when countries are expected to meet their climate pledges under the Paris Agreement. With this year, 2025, the deadline for countries to submit their updated national climate plans, known as NDCs under the Paris Agreement. PML experts have attended each COP since 2009 and over the years their work and that of the wider ocean community has seen Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) recognising the importance of protecting the ocean and its ecosystems in the Convention and Paris Agreement. To increase the visibility of the ocean at the COPs and to make ocean events more accessible the team was a co-founder of the 1st Virtual Ocean Pavilion at COP26 and a founding partner of the 1st Virtual Ocean Pavilion at COP27. At COP30 PML experts will continue to play active roles highlighting the enormous role the ocean plays in sustaining life on Earth, the consequences of a high CO₂ world for the ocean and society and options for action. You can find more information about the planned events and activities on this page soon, and in the meantime why not visit the UN Ocean Decade-endorsed COP30 Virtual Ocean Pavilion.

PML at COP30 – Event Schedule

Date & Time	Event	Where
Monday, 3 November 10:30–12:00 BRT (GMT-3)	The COP30 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Preview Event – Leveraging the Ocean-Climate-Biodiversity Nexus in Accelerating the Ocean Implementation Era	Online Details & on-demand viewing
COP30 will mark the completion of the first full cycle of the Paris Agreement. Implementation must now be the priority — from Blue NDCs and finance to the Ocean Dialogues and adaptation targets, ocean-climate action must move from talk to implementation, with transparency, accountability, and equity at its core. This event features speakers representing government, intergovernmental, and civil society organizations who will be speaking on what’s to come for the ocean community at COP30 and will provide a preview of the COP30 Virtual Ocean Pavilion and of ocean events at COP30 more generally. Organised by the Global Ocean Forum & Plymouth Marine Laboratory. Who from PML: Professor Matt Frost (moderator), Thecla Keizer (co-organizer and co-founder of the Virtual Ocean Pavilion)
Monday, 10 November 13:00 – 14:45 BRT (GMT-3)	COP30 Virtual Ocean Pavilion High Level Opening Event on “Leveraging the Ocean as the Greatest Ally in Combatting Climate Change”	Online Details & on-demand viewing
COP30 is being held in the Amazon, a region that serves as a global carbon sink. But ocean ecosystems – from mangroves to the deep sea – are equally vital to our climate future and integral to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. Protecting, sustainably managing, and financing ocean and coastal ecosystems are essential to limit warming to 1.5°C, safeguard biodiversity, support communities, and build climate resilience. The COP30 Presidency urges Parties and non-Party stakeholders to focus on the UNFCCC’s ultimate objective, the Paris Agreement’s long-term resilience goal, the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) to make COP30 the COP of adaptation. Session speakers will be sharing their insights and perspectives on elevating adaptation as well as mitigation through ocean-based solutions in alignment with the Presidency’s three priorities: (i) strengthening multilateralism; (ii) connecting the climate regime to people’s daily lives; and (iii) accelerating climate implementation Who from PML: Thecla Keizer (co-organiser; the lead organization is the Global Ocean Forum, Dr Miriam Balgos)
Tuesday, 11 November 12:00–13:00 BRT (GMT-3)	Blue Carbon Collaboration: Sharing Japan’s Coastal Solutions with Asia and Beyond	Ocean Pavilion, Blue Zone, COP30 Event details
Explores macroalgal ecosystems as fast-cycling coastal carbon engines and nature-led climate repair options. Organised by the Ocean Policy Research Institute, Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI SPF), Japan. Who from PML: Professor Ana Queirós (invited speaker)
Wednesday, 12 November 17:00–18:15 BRT (GMT-3)	Navigating Arctic Ocean Protection: Current Status and Future Directions	Cryosphere Pavilion, Blue Zone, COP30 Join the livestream here >>
The Arctic Ocean is under increasing pressure from climate change, with sea ice loss, ocean acidification, warming and freshening occurring more rapidly in the Arctic compared to the rest of the global ocean. This event considers what is needed to protect this vulnerable ecosystem. We bring together a range of voices to discuss what roles different players have and how best to move science forward in order to allow Indigenous and local communities to adapt to changing conditions. Whilst also raising critical considerations for mitigation and future sustainable use of the Arctic Ocean. Institutions: Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Moore Foundation Arctic Programme, Inuit Circumpolar Council, AMAP, 90 North Foundation and GEOMAR. Who from PML: Professor Helen Findlay (lead)
Thursday, 13 November 13:30–15:00 BRT (GMT-3)	2025 ocean dialogue outcomes: Key considerations for COP30 and strengthening ocean action	Special event room – Tapajos, Area C Click here for more information and the report on the dialogue Those registered for COP30 can follow the event through the COP30 platform
A special event of UNFCCC, convened by the co-facilitators of the ocean and climate change dialogue, to discuss the outcomes of the mandated 2025 ocean dialogue, with Parties and observers, and how the special event discussions can inform COP30 outcomes. PML contributed to the Ocean & Climate Change Dialogue when this took place in June 2025 with PML’s Professor Matt Frost a Breakout Group Facilitator
Thursday, 13 November 15:00–16:00 BRT (GMT-3)	Integrating Cryosphere Science into Nature-Based Climate Strategies to Enhance Ocean Resilience	Ocean Pavilion Event details
Accelerating loss of ice, glaciers, snow, and permafrost is raising seas, disrupting circulation, deepening acidification, and fueling extremes. In our session we are trying to trace these ocean impacts and convert evidence into COP30 policy pathways—adaptation and the GGA, Article 6, and Loss & Damage—braiding insights from the Arctic, Himalaya, and South America to spark cross-regional action. Who from PML: Professor Helen Findlay (invited speaker)
Friday, 14 November 12:00–13:30 BRT (GMT-3)	Report on Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action: 2024-2025	COP30 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Event details
This virtual event will focus on disseminating the findings of this biennial progress report, especially the priority recommendations highlighted in the Executive Summary. The 2024-2025 ROCA Report provides a summary of major developments in ocean and climate policy and action since the UNFCCC COP28 in Dubai, following the themes established in the prior reports, such as the central role of ocean in climate; ocean-based adaptation and mitigation; blue economy; marine areas beyond national jurisdiction and will be presented and distributed at the UNFCCC COP30 in Belém, Brazil. For more information about the reports please visit Reports – Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative Panelists will speak on priority recommendations emanating from the report as highlighted in the Executive Summary for Decisionmakers, which are aligned with the COP30 Presidency priorities. Speaking in the event will be PML Honorary Fellow Torsten Thiele who was a co-author on the report in addition to PML’s Professor Helen Findlay, Professor Ana Queiros and Professor Matt Frost
Thursday, 15 November 18:30 BRT (GMT-3)	Press event on the 2025 State of the Cryosphere Report report’s release	Cryosphere Pavilion, Blue Zone, COP30 Livestream and view on demand PML’s news article Report; coordinated by the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI)
Reviewed and supported by over 50 leading cryosphere scientists, including PML’s Professor Helen Findlay, this is the latest report in the State of the Cryosphere series, which takes the pulse of the cryosphere on an annual basis. The cryosphere is the name given to Earth’s snow and ice regions and ranges from ice sheets, glaciers, snow and permafrost to sea ice and the polar oceans – which are acidifying far more rapidly than warmer waters. The report describes how a combination of melting polar ice sheets, vanishing glaciers, and thawing permafrost will have rapid, irreversible, and disastrous impacts worldwide. Who from PML: Professor Helen Findlay, Scientific Reviewer on the report
17 November 13:30–14:30	Ocean Acidification and Alkalinity Enhancement: Global Case Studies on Impacts and Local Opportunities	Ocean Pavilion Event details
This session will present the latest science on acidification impacts alongside global case studies which illuminate both the impacts of acidification and the potential role of OAE in supporting adaptation strategies for vulnerable coastal communities. This session aims to provide Parties, researchers, and ocean advocates with diverse scientific perspectives, an understanding of the safeguards needed, with the invitation to explore additional collaboration on this issue across geographies. Who from PML: Professor Matt Frost (invited speaker)
18 November	High-Level Event at COP30 on Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management for a Healthy Ocean	Thematic Room, Axis 2 – Blue Zone
A Special Envoy for the Ocean at COP30, Fundação Oceano Azul, Marrakech Partnership and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Brazil dedicated event that will provide an opportunity to discuss ocean-based solutions under the Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management (SOPM) umbrella that support the Ocean Breakthroughs. Who from PML: Professor Matt Frost (invited roundtable panelist)
19 November 09:00–10:00 BRT (GMT-3)	Addressing Global Ocean Challenges in a Dynamic Landscape: Science, Solutions and Diplomacy	Ocean Pavilion Event details
Addressing global Ocean challenges in a dynamic landscape: Science, Solutions and Diplomacy. Global cooperation is vital to ocean understanding and today’s challenges such as climate change, overexploitation and geopolitical shifts reinforce the urgency of this need. Yet, achieving meaningful cooperation is increasingly complex. This session explores evolving collaboration across sectors, shares best practices, and identifies strategies to overcome barriers. It highlights global initiatives and promotes ocean justice, equity, and science diplomacy to address pressing ocean challenges. Who from PML: Professor Matt Frost (moderator) and Thecla Keizer (co-organizer) Organized by PML with partners the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, American Geophysical Union, Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF), and the World Association of Marine Stations (WAMS).
19 November 11:30–13:00 BRT (GMT-3)	Strengthening capacities to enable beneficial interplay among climate, nature, and human systems	Side Event Room 1, Blue Zone, COP30 Join online (COP30 accreditation required)
This panel discussion will explore the opportunities and challenges of innovative conservation and sustainable use efforts that: 1) Address climate change and biodiversity loss through enhanced capacity building and harmonized governance frameworks. 2) Strengthen the contribution of ocean ecosystems to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Information on proven practices and valuable insights derived from recent and ongoing innovative efforts that aim to strengthen the contribution of ocean ecosystems to climate change mitigation and adaptation will be shared. Who from PML: Professor Matt Frost (moderator)
19 November 16:45–18:15 BRT (GMT-3)	How to be SMART in Meeting Ocean-Climate-Societal Challenges in a Changing Landscape	Side Event Room 7, Blue Zone, COP30 Join online (COP30 accreditation required)
Addresses adaptation, governance, and finance in the context of planetary boundaries and climate-smart science. Co-organized with Delta Electronics Foundation, Fondation BNP Paribas, International Coral Reef Society, POGO. Who from PML: Professor Ana Queirós (speaker), Professor Matt Frost (moderator), Thecla Keizer (co-organizer)
20 November 10:30–11:30 BRT (GMT-3)	Understand, Deliver, Reshape: Charting a Path to a Thriving Ocean	Ocean Pavilion Event details
Marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement and outlines policy recommendations from the Ocean & Climate Platform network, of which PML is a member organization. Who from PML: Professor Matt Frost (invited speaker)

Exhibition Booths

Date	Description	Location
17 – 20 November	Exhibition stand focusing on “Why the Ocean Matters in Climate Negotiations”. Sharing the latest developments in climate challenges, impacts & options towards sustainable ocean development — connecting science, industry, policy & society on ocean action in the UNFCCC processes and strengthening NDCs.	Booth 47, Blue Zone, COP30 exhibition booth details
In collaboration with: Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean Society (POGO), and the Global Ocean Forum.
03–21 November	Plymouth Marine Laboratory virtual exhibition booth as part of the free-to-register COP30 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Pavilion offers a great selection of live and on-demand events, a live lesson, roundtable discussions, youth-led interviews with ocean-climate experts, key messages, a Treasure Trove of ocean-related information, art and other media, as well as a searchable overview with around 150 COP30 ocean events, and more!	Online