Our COP30 programme of activities

COY20 Opening Ceremony

09.00–17.00 | Federal University of Pará (UFPA)

Official opening of COY (Conference of Youth). The conference is run in various forms by YOUNGO – the official children and youth constituency of UNFCCC. COY20 will bring together children and young people from across the globe to build capacity, strengthen advocacy, and co-create the Global Youth Statement, the collective input of youth to the UNFCCC process. The British Council will contribute to the event.

Partner: YOUNGO (the British Council is a COY Silver Sponsor)

Climate Skills – Seeds for Transition (Youth and Future Pathways – Building Inclusive Transitions)

16.00–17.00 | Federal University of Pará (UFPA)

This interactive session from the British Council will explore how young people are envisioning and shaping possible futures in the context of climate change, highlighting the importance of inclusion, innovation, and skills development. Includes research insights from Climate Skills; Next generation Brazil as well as amplification of YOUNGO’s Global Youth Statement.

Partner: YOUNGO (the British Council is a COY Silver Sponsor)

Amplifying the Global Youth Statement: Fireside Chat & Open Dialogue (COY20 Closing Ceremony)

17.05–18.00 | Federal University of Pará (UFPA)

This fireside chat will serve as a dynamic space to explore children and youth policy engagement at COP30 and beyond. The discussion will highlight insights from this year’s Global Youth Statement – the largest children and youth volunteer-led consultation process under the UNFCCC, representing the collective voice of over 30,000 children and young people from more than 100 countries.

The session will take the form of an informal yet impactful conversation around the key demands of the Global Youth Statement, reflecting on how child and youth voices are shaping the climate negotiations and how children and young people can meaningfully influence climate policymaking processes. Panelists will explore opportunities for engagement within the UNFCCC and other climate advocacy platforms, while the audience will have the chance to pose questions and share reflections in an open Q&A segment.

Speakers: Marcele Oliveira (PYCC COP30), Leyla Hasanova (PYCC COP29), Monomita Nag-Chowdhury, Director of Climate Change Programmes, British Council, and representatives from the Global Youth Statement Thematic Working Group

Partner: YOUNGO (the British Council is a COY Silver Sponsor)

Opening Ceremony of the Children and Youth Pavilion

09.00–09.45 | Blue Zone, Children and Youth Pavilion

The Children and Youth Pavilion is a dedicated space within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP) that aims to provide a platform for young people to engage in climate change discussions and actions. The British Council will be participating in the ceremony.

Partner: Children and Youth Pavilion

Uniting Climate Education Research, Policy and Practice

15.00–17.00 | Extreme Hangout, Parque da Residencia

• Part one: Research, Policy & Practice – schools focus
• Part two: International Science Partnerships & Impact – higher education focus

These two sessions showcase global climate education initiatives, research and practice. They will highlight the intersection of policy, practice, and student / youth engagement as well as promoting international collaboration through education, science and culture. Panelists include the British Council; Cambridge University Press and Assessment, SOS UK, Blue Schools Network, Amazonia 10+ early-career researchers and scientists from Scotland Beyond Net Zero. The session will feature research from UCL and content form the British Council and University of Exeter.

Keynotes: Cabinet Secretary – Climate, Scottish Government and FASPESA Director

Creative Climate Action: Stories of Sustainable Practices and Inclusive Approaches

11.00–12.00 | Blue Zone, Climate Live and Entertainment + Culture Pavilion

This event will bring together artists, cultural leaders, and environmental changemakers to share local and global stories of change for creative climate action. This session aims to raise awareness of diverse contexts and approaches to address the climate emergency through arts, culture and cultural heritage. It will provide evidence of impact and change, building a more sustainable and inclusive ecosystem for creative climate action to flourish.

Partners: Climate Heritage Network, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Centre for Reworlding, British Council, MET Office and University of Exeter

 

Climate Education Showcase- Uniting Education, Culture and Science through Creative Projects and Resources

11.15–11.45 | Blue Zone, UK Pavilion

Inspiring Learning - Schools across the Ocean: a showcase of the UK (University of Exeter)/Brazil (Blue Schools Network) partnership as part of the British Council Schools Connect Programme. Creative Climate resources: including interactive student card game on climate education.

Partner: UK Pavilion

 

Creative Climate Action: Inspiring Sustainable Practices and Inclusive Approaches

13.00–14.00 | Extreme Hangout, Parque da Residencia

This event will bring together artists, technologists and environmental changemakers to share examples of good practice and offer practical learning of how creative collaboration can help to drive meaningful climate actions.

Partners: ZU-UK supported by Unlimited, MET Office, University of Exeter, Se Rasgum Festival and Composta Belem

COP30 Ministerial Round table (British Council to attend by invitation)

15.30–18.30 | Blue Zone, Special Event Room 1

Hosted by the Ministry of Education of Brazil and co-organised by UNESCO and other partners. The roundtable will focus on reaffirming the key role of education in addressing climate change and mobilizing commitment, notably by sharing the work of the Greening Education Partnership and showcasing good practice examples and solutions from different countries, including through curriculum and assessments to enhance climate literacy.

Partners: The Ministry of Education of Brazil, UNESCO

UK and Brazil Collaboration

13.00–13.30 | Blue Zone, UK Pavilion

Artistic and Cultural responses to addressing climate change: examples from the Cultura Circular festivals, UK-Brazil Season of Culture, and We Are the Possible poetry anthology.

Partner: UK Pavilion

 

Show and Tell: Creative Educational Resources to Bring Climate Education to Life for Young People

14.25–14.40 | Blue Zone, Children and Youth Pavilion

This session showcases a creative climate cards educational resource developed by the British Council and the University of Exeter to connect climate science, culture and learning in a fun and interactive way. The cards will be incorporated as part of content for the Brazil Blue Schools Network Partnership. It’s designed to engage young people and educators through play, storytelling, and action. The session will be supported by a Youth Sustainability Champion from the Department for Education (UK) and a representative from Cambridge Zero.

Partner: Children and Youth Pavilion

Youth Negotiators Academy Debrief Session

18.00 | Blue Zone

On day one of the Children and Youth Thematic day, the British Council will join the Youth Negotiators Academy team for a debrief session focusing on the negotiation agenda and progress.

Partner: Youth Negotiators Academy

Panel Discussion and Youth-Led Project Presentations: Building a Resilient Future: Culture at the Centre of Climate Action

• Session led by the YOUNGO Arts, Culture, and Heritage Working Group

12.00–13.00 | Blue Zone, Climate Live & Entertainment + Culture (E+C) Pavilion

This youth-led, high-level dialogue will bring together cultural leaders, policymakers, and youth representatives to explore how cultural heritage can drive resilience and adaptation within climate policy. The event will also feature the launch of the Cultural Heritage Youth Academy (CHYA), a new initiative designed to build youth capacity for integrating cultural heritage into climate adaptation strategies and policies. 

Partner: YOUNGO Arts, Culture, and Heritage Working Group

 

Panel Discussion: Advancing Climate Skills for an Inclusive Green Transition – Youth-Led Insights and Policy Recommendations

13.15–13.45 | Blue Zone, UK Pavilion

Youth-Led Insights and Policy Recommendations – UK and Brazil Partnership focus from the Global Climate Skills Programme.

Partner: UK Pavilion

 

Climate Skills and Youth Voice – Youth and Future Pathways – Building Inclusive Transitions

16.10–16.55 | Blue Zone, Children & Youth Pavilion

This session will explore how young people are envisioning and shaping possible futures in the context of climate change, highlighting the importance of inclusion, innovation, and skills development. It will explore how climate change directly impacts youth, the opportunities and challenges they face and how initiatives focused on green and digital skills can strengthen their capacity to lead transformative actions in their communities. Panelists: representatives from the British Council’s Climate Skills Programme, Youth Negotiators Academy and Care about Climate.

Partner: Children & Youth Pavilion

Panel Discussion: Culture at the Heart of Climate Policy and Action – a Collective Effort ('Mutirao')

15.00–16.30 | Blue Zone, Side Event Room 4

The session aims to build on the outcomes of COP30 and the initiatives of various key stakeholders and networks, to find common ground and points of convergence for future collaboration ahead of COP31.

Partners: International National Trust Organination (INTO), ICOM and EUNIC

Gaia exhibit

10–21 November | COP Blue Zone, Central Square

Gaia is presented as part of the UK/Brazil Season of Culture 2025–26, a cultural programme jointly delivered by the British Council and the Instituto Guimarães Rosa that celebrates the collaboration between Brazil and the UK through the arts and invites a reflection on a shared commitment to environmental awareness. The artwork is by UK artist Luke Jerram. Measuring seven metres in diameter, Gaia features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface. The artwork provides the opportunity to see our planet on this scale, floating in three-dimensions.

Partner: Instituto Guimarães Rosa

 

Online Course: Learning for Sustainable Futures Live at COP30

10–23 November | Online

This two-week online course provides ‘live’ insights into the challenges being discussed at COP30, as well as responses to the conference themes from children and young people, community groups and ministerial bodies, both nationally and internationally. Registration link. 

Partners: University of Edinburgh, Learning for Sustainability Scotland

 

Visual and Digital Showcase: Rivers of Hope Arts Project (visual) and British Council Climate Change Strategy (digital, day TBC)

10–21 November | COP Blue Zone, UK Pavilion

River of Hope is an arts-based learning project that uses environmental themes and creative arts practice to help young people express their concerns about the climate crisis. The project is led by Thames Festival Trust, in partnership with the British Council in France and Norfolk & Norwich Festival in England.

Partner: UK Pavilion

 

Exhibition: Cultural and Educational Responses to Address Climate Change

17–21 November | Blue Zone, Exhibit Booth 38

Showcasing effective and impactful artistic, cultural and educational responses and solutions through projects and partnerships to address climate change, featuring content from INTO and the British Council.

Partner: International National Trust Organisation: (INTO)

Festival Outros Nativos

15–16 November, 17.00–22.00 | Teatro Gasometro

Festival Outros Nativos is a music festival from the Amazon for the Amazon. It is a space for meeting, training and discoveries – where art, identity and sustainability go together. This year, the festival is part of the Residency Park (Secult-PA) programme, in partnership with the Extreme Hangout and Regenera Project projects, sponsored by the British Council and the Aldir Blanc National Policy (PNAB). Festival Outros Nativos has been awarded a grant by the British Council to take part in the Cultura Circular programme, including training on climate and sustainability and collaboration with UK artists.This music festival was selected to receive support via Cultura Circular, the British Council’s programme to promote sustainability in the festivals sector.

Partner: Festival Outros Nativos

Festival Outros Nativos

Climate Youth Negotiator Programme training

6–8 November | Centro Universitário do Estado do Pará CESUPA

In-person training for 100+ young negotiators, delivered in collaboration with key partners. The Youth Negotiators Academy (YNA), launched in 2022, empowers the next generation of environmental negotiators by providing skills, knowledge, networks, and resources to drive transformative change in decision-making processes. It also seeks to address systemic inequalities in young people’s representation and leadership within multilateral and environmental treaty negotiations, with a particular focus on the Three Rio Conventions. The British Council will be meeting YNA Negotiators to discuss research insights from Climate Skills and Next Generation Brazil research including exploring collaboration opportunities with Brazil YNA negotiators. COP collaboration also includes YNA participation in the British Council panels, as well as British Council participation in YNA’s debrief session.

Partner: Climate Youth Negotiator Programme (the British Council is a strategic and funding partner)

 

Schools Climate COP Simulation

Sunday 9 November | Federal University of Pará (UFPA)

Part of the British Council’s Schools Connect programme, the Climate COP Simulation is a role-playing game premised on a fictitious international climate summit. A facilitator plays the role of a UN leader, while each participant plays the role of a delegate representing a specific nation, negotiating bloc, or, in some cases, an interest group. Four COP Simulations are also scheduled to take place in the UK during October and November.

Partner: The Blue Schools Network

 

Reception to celebrate official co-operation agreements

Sunday 16 November | Porto Ver-o-Rio

Reception to celebrate official co-operation agreements and the launch of PoN Instituto with the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment (MMA), Colombian Ministry of the Environment, Pará State Department of Education (SEDUC-PA), Fundação Amazônia Sustentável (FAS), WWF Colombia, EUNIC, British Council and Goethe-Institute.

Partners EUNIC, Goethe-Institute and Danish Cultural Institute

 

Youth Negotiators Networking Event

Sunday 16 November | Galeria Benedito Nunes

A celebration will be held for YNA partners and youth negotiators.

Partner: Climate Youth Negotiator Programme (the British Council is a strategic and funding partner)

Cosmoperceptions of the Forest Exhibition 10 November, 19.00 | Gallery Benedito Nunes. The starting point for the project is existing initiatives in Indigenous and traditional territories in South America and Europe, that work to regenerate relationships between many species, human and non-human, based on the ways of life of Forest Peoples. Organised by: Goethe Institut

Friendly Screens Film Festival: PoN Videogame Activation 10 November | Cinema Libero Luxardo. Organised by: Friendly Screens Film Festival

Debate on Ancestral and Current Technologies for Sustainable Urban Futures 11 November, 16.00 | Federal University of Para (UFPA). Exploring global perspectives and fostering collaboration on climate adaptation. Organised by: UFPA, the Heinrich Böll Foundation and Goethe Institut.

Decolonising Climate Policy and Advancing Climate Justice 11 November 16.00–17.00 | COP Blue Zone, Culture + Entertainment Pavilion. This event underscores the importance of grounding global climate discussions in the realities and expertise of local Amazonian communities. It will highlight local leadership as key to addressing environmental and social inequalities while aligning with global efforts to advance climate justice.

Youth Orchestra Performance: World Premiere of the Musical Work 'BIOFONIA' 11 November 20.00 | Fundação Amazônica de Música, Belém. BIOFONIA – a musical portrait of the Amazon and Atlantic Forests, for symphony orchestra and percussion, by composer Mathias Madsen Munch. Organised by: Danish Cultural Institute

Rompa Com a Balela – Arte, Deficiência e Clima 13 November, 08.30–13.00 | Museu das Amazônias (MAZ). Organised by: ZU‑UK and Unlimited UK, with support from MAZ

Workshop: Cultural Heritage and Adaptation to Climate Change 13 November, 12.30–14.30 | COP30 Blue Zone, Axis 5 Thematic Room. Organised by: COP30 Presidency, Ministry of Culture, Brazil 

Symposium: Human–Non-Human Relations with Nature 13 November, 16.00–18.00 | Institute of Legal Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA). Drawing on Indigenous, Quilombola, Brazilian, German, Colombian and Indian perspectives, the event will foster plural visions of ecological coexistence. Organised by: Goethe Institute, UFPA and the Heinrich Böll Foundation

Film Series: Forest Histories 14 November, 10.00 | COP Blue Zone, Culture + Entertainment Pavilion. Created with Indigenous artists from Brazil and Finland and researcher Freg Stokes, the films explore forest stewardship and resistance over five centuries. Organised by: Goethe Institut

Friendly Screens Film Festival: Animated Climate Engagement Session 14 November, 11.00–12.00 | Friendly Screens Film Festival. Screening of award-winning documentary 'Voices of the Mangrove' and four animated short films created by young people from Brazil and Denmark. Organised by: Danish Cultural Institute

From Ambition to Intergenerational climate collaboration - Celebrating the Universal NDC Youth Clause 14 November, 14.30-15.30 | COP Blue Zone, Norway Pavilion. Organised by: Care about Climate, MI25ION and We are family Foundation 

EarthSonic: Flow: An Interdisciplinary Cross-Cultural Collaboration Telling Stories of Water, Gender and Health 14 November, 15.00–16.00 | COP Blue Zone, UNFCCC Stage. Six international female artists will perform a powerful musical flow of rap, hip hop and spoken word inspired by Amazonian water sounds, followed by a panel discussion on how culture and climate come together to deliver impact. Organised by: Wellcome Trust

How Culture Can Drive Implementation of The Belém Health Action Plan and Culture for Climate and Health 14 November, 15.00–16.00 | COP Blue Zone, Culture + Entertainment Pavilion. Fireside chat bringing together leaders across climate, health and culture to discuss how culture and health can collaborate closer to deliver climate action and adaptation. Organised by: Wellcome Trust

Youth on Action Agenda 17 November, 21.00 | COP30 Blue Zone, Special Event Room 3 Organised by: COP30 Presidency

We Make Tomorrow - Beats for the Planet: Feat - A Hip Hop Battle, a Parade by Rainhas Das Matas 17 November, 19.00–21.00 | Gate 2, UFPA Organised by: COP30 Presidency, Earth Alliance, Ayika, PYCCC COP30, We Make tomorrow, Greenpeace Brazil and Climate to Change Coalition