COP30 2025: What Are The Key Takeaways & Top Thought Leaders To Book

From the 10th to the 21st of November 2025, important discussions on the future of our planet took place at COP30, with many heads of state, campaigners and sustainability experts joining forces to discuss climate change.

From Prime Ministers to environmentalists, a collection of the world’s thought leaders travelled to Belém, Brazil, to take part. With officials from locations including Canada, India, South Korea, Switzerland, and more discussing climate change, COP30 has so far produced three major synthesis reports:

COP30 Reports:

• Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) Synthesis Report: First-ever synthesis report that shows standardised updates on how each country is tracking progress toward its climate goals. Countries are now systematically implementing the Paris Agreement and improving data transparency.
• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Synthesis Report: Provides an outline of each nation’s targets and measures for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions are declining globally, but not fast enough.
• National Adaptation Plans (NAP) Synthesis Report: Blueprints for how countries are preparing for and adapting to the impacts of climate change (e.g., floods, droughts, sea level rise). Adaptation is still underfunded and too slow, especially in developing and vulnerable countries.

Source: COP30

The event also saw many prominent brands act as UK Pavilion Official Partners, see below:

Such outcomes were agreed upon by prominent thought leaders, from heads of state to passionate climate change campaigners. Some of our speakers were also fortunate to attend!

Nigel Topping

“Achieving net-zero emissions will require transformation across the entire economy, insurance will be absolutely critical to enabling that transition and to building resilience to climate shocks.” – Nigel Topping

In 2020, Nigel Topping was selected by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as the COP26 High-Level Climate Action Champion. In this role, Nigel was responsible for bridging the gap between attendees of the summit, from national governments to businesses and investors. With over 18 years of experience working across the private sector, Nigel is also the CEO of We Mean Business and is passionate about accelerating sustainability.

Christiana Figueres

“Quite frankly, there is no answer to climate change without substantially, dramatically increasing the amount of renewable energy in the global energy system… We will move to a low-carbon world because nature will force us, or because policy will guide us. If we wait until nature forces us, the cost will be astronomical.” – Christiana Figueres

The former Executive Secretary of The UNFCCC, Christiana Figueres acted as a ‘Friend of COP’ – bringing her expertise to advise the UK Government and inspire action within her sector to increase the anticipation of COP26. A thought leader in the sector of climate change, Christiana has worked tirelessly to rebuild global ecosystems, negotiating processes and impacted sectors of sustainable development, energy and land use.

Lord Adair Turner

“The probability that we face global warming caused by fossil fuels is now so overwhelming that it is legitimate to doubt the motives of those who deny it.” – Lord Adair Turner

Lord Adair Turner is a leading authority on energy, working as the Chair of The Energy Transitions Commission. Also the Chairman of Chubb Europe, Adair has advised various UK officials on everything from economics to finance and climate change. Selected to act as a ‘Friend of COP’, Adair continued to advise the UK Government at COP26 and drummed up support and action within his sector.

Paul Polman

“We cannot choose between growth and sustainability – we must have both.” – Paul Polman

Another ‘Friend of COP’, Paul Polman is the co-founder of IMAGINE, an organisation that mobilises leaders across the globe to tackle global inequality and climate change. With previous experience on the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Panel, where he developed the Sustainable Development Goals, Paul was the perfect choice to raise awareness of climate change and continues to help deliver the 2030 development agenda.

Alice Charles

“The solutions for sustainable urban development need to be people-centric.” – Alice Charles

The Lead of Cities & Real Estate for the World Economic Forum, Alice Charles created key discussions at COP26. Joining The World Bank Group, Alice spoke in the Moving Cities to a Cleaner Future talk, raising awareness of how cities play a critical role in climate change and climate effects. With previous experience as the EU Presidency Environmental Officer, Alice is at the forefront of environment, climate change and urban development in the public and private sectors.

Book a Sustainability Speaker

COP26 has forced us all to take a look at the way we impact the planet, whether through our carbon footprint or our compliance with sustainable practices. There are many ways you can decelerate climate change, including booking a sustainability speaker.

Browse the variety of speakers available to hire and contact a booking agent today!