Event Dates:13 - 21 Nov, 2025 • 10:00
In person

Brazil

UKGBC at COP30: Driving Climate Action across the Built Environment

Learn about the events, activities, and conversations UKGBC is engaging with during pre-COP in São Paulo and COP30 in Belém, Brazil, and explore how you can get involved.
Climate Change Adaptation Climate Change Mitigation Retrofit Resilient Buildings Event
In person
Past event

This November, the global climate community will gather in Belém, Brazil, for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP30.

UKGBC will be on the ground in both São Paulo and Belém, engaging with partners, businesses, and governments to champion the built environment’s role in delivering a just and sustainable transition.

Our Focus for COP30

As climate action moves from pledges to implementation, the built environment remains central to achieving global climate goals. UKGBC’s Chief Executive, Simon McWhirter, is bringing UKGBC’s insights to the international stage and connecting the UK’s leadership on sustainable buildings with the global movement for change.

At COP30, UKGBC will focus on

Accelerating the transition to net zero and climate-resilient buildings.
Showcasing how the built environment can deliver climate resilience and social impact.
Driving collaboration across business, finance, and policy to turn ambition into action.

Pre-COP30 Engagements in São Paulo (6-8 November)

Throughout the week, UKGBC will contribute to global climate dialogue and showcasing leadership in the built environment.

  • Participating in the Innovation Zone, hosted by Climate Action, where UKGBC is proud to serve as an Institutional Partner.
  • Collaborating with GBC Brasil to support the Greenbuilding Brasil 2025 conference, amplifying sustainable building practices across Latin America.
  • 6 November: PANEL: New Financial Criteria and Products and the Construction Industry (14:10-15:00)
    1. Moderator: Diogo Castro – partner at Noustrum Partners
    2. Simon McWhirter – CEO of UKGBC
    3. Luis Alejandro – Head of Green Finance Market, IDB Invest
  • Engaging with key stakeholders at the Sustainable Innovation Forum and Climate Implementation Summit to drive forward impactful climate solutions.
  • 7 November: Roundtable: The Positive Case for Energy Transition: Prosperity, Innovation, and Resilience in a Decarbonising World (9:30, Climate Action Innovation Zone, Itatiaia Meeting Room)
  • Joining Built by Nature’s COP30 event, highlighting collaborative efforts and real-world innovations in the built environment.

COP30 Week 1 in Belém (9-14 November)

Simon will head north to Belém for COP30 itself, where UKGBC holds a Blue Zone pass and will be active in key sessions and ministerial roundtables.

Engagements include:

  • 11 November: Ministerial roundtable for the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate.
  • 12 November: Ministerial roundtable on Urbanisation, engaging with global leaders on sustainable city development.
  • 12 November: PANEL: Indoor Air – The Climate, Health and Energy Nexus (18:00, Australia Pavilion, Blue Zone, COP30)
    • Come along to hear about global action on indoor air quality – the latest hot topic sitting at the heart of climate resilience. Leaders across government industry and advocacy will offer expert insights on why buildings that prioritise healthy indoor air standards offer superior climate resilience, pandemic preparedness, and energy efficiency safeguarding the health and economic wellbeing of populations. Fresh from launching the Global Pledge for Healthy Indoor Air at United Nations headquarters, Dr Bronwyn King AO will facilitate an engaging series of speeches and debate followed by refreshments.
      1. Dr. Jérôme Weinbach – Deputy Director for European and International Affairs, Government of France
      2. Simon McWhirter – CEO, UK Green Building Council
      3. Dr. Jane Lomax-Smith – Lord Mayor of Adelaide
      4. Roxana Dela Fiamor – Global Policy Lead, US Green Building Council
      5. Facilitator: Dr. Bronwyn King, University of Melbourne
  • 13 November: PANEL: Addressing healthcare’s triple challenge: aging, climate change and air quality
     (16:00-16:45, Buildings and Cooling Pavilion)
    1. Keynote Speaker: Mary Dickinson – Director of regenerative design, Perkins & Will
    2. Adam Mactavish – Group Sustainability Director, Currie & Brown
    3. Hala Omar – Sustainability Manager, Dar Cairo
    4. Liz Beardsley – Senior Policy Counsel, US Green Building Council
    5. Simon McWhirter – CEO, UK Green Building Council
    6. Jule Kjestrup – Head of Policy and Thought Leadership, Velux
  • Throughout Week 1: supporting events hosted by WorldGBC and GlobalABC.

Further session details will be shared as the programme develops.

Looking Ahead

In the weeks before COP30, we’ll share more on specific sessions, themes, and ways to engage with UKGBC during the conference.

Follow us on our channels for updates from Brazil, and join us as we help accelerate the transformation towards a sustainable, resilient and equitable built environment.

Event details

Open to

All are welcome.

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