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 and global partners, this virtual one-day symposium convenes experts from around the globe to discuss legal and governance innovation for climate ambition. The IBA, along with bar associations, academic institutions, law firms and leading organisations, will convene an expert roundtable exploring the consequences of recent international advisory opinions on climate change for corporations and legal practitioners. Join us to explore how these developments may influence national laws, corporate climate governance and litigation, and the role of bar associations in equipping lawyers to advise clients effectively. More information and registration are available here.
• 20 November 2024: UNFCCC COP30 official side event 'Practitioners of law advancing climate mitigation & adaptation through pro bono & beyond'. On the ground at COP30, the IBA, in collaboration with other bar associations, will convene an official side examining how law firms, legal associations and practitioners can support the implementation of government and corporate climate commitments. Discussion topics will include the role of pro bono and strategic litigation in promoting accountability, the challenges facing lawyers representing climate-affected communities, and more. Attendance is open to registered UNFCCC COP30 participants (in-person/online). A recording of the session will be made available on the IBA website after the event.
• 1 December 2025 (online): Reflections on COP30 outcomes: Register here to join the Environmental, Health and Safety Law Committee, with the support of the Maritime and Transport Law Committee and the Legal Policy & Research Unit, for a post-COP30 webinar to reflect on the outcomes of the conference and other critical developments in international environmental law in 2025, and explore their implications for lawyers and what to expect in 2026.

For further information email: lpru@int-bar.org.

ENDS

Contact: IBApressoffice@int-bar.org

Notes

1. Related material: 

   • Access recordings from the IBA’s past engagements at UNFCCC COP and Climate Law & Governance Day on the IBA website here.

   • IBA committees have convened a range of recent webinars on subjects including the implications of the International Court of Justice and Inter-American Court of Human Rights advisory opinions on climate change for corporations across jurisdictions, key trends in climate litigation, and more. Access recordings of these sessions here.

   • Access the IBA Climate Registry here for a range of climate initiatives and declarations by bar associations and law societies worldwide.

   • The IBA Bar Issues Commission has developed a Climate Change Working Group to champion climate legal education and capacity building with bars around the globe.

2. The International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, is the foremost organisation for international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. Established in 1947, shortly after the creation of the United Nations, with the aim of protecting and promoting the rule of law globally, it was born out of the conviction that an organisation made up of the world's bar associations could contribute to global stability and peace through the administration of justice.
3. Find the IBA on social media here:
   • x.com/IBAnews
   • x.com/IBAevents
   • x.com/IBAHagueOffice
   • https://bsky.app/profile/ibanews.bsky.social
   • www.facebook.com/internationalbarassociation
   • www.linkedin.com/company/international-bar-association

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