COP30 took place in the heart of the Amazon – a powerful reminder that nature must be at the centre of the global response to the climate crisis.
The summit focused on forests, finance, emissions reduction, and resilience, highlighting the urgency and opportunity to create truly collaborative solutions across the Rio Conventions — all working towards a sustainable planet for people and wildlife.
Nature can, and should, be understood as a vital tool in the task of combating climate change - not only in its capacity as a carbon store, but also as a powerful tool for climate adaptation and scaling resilience across environments to protect humans, their communities, and livelihoods.
Investing in nature today is investing in people tomorrow
Nature underpins every aspect of our lives – from the food we eat and the water we drink to the stability of our climate and the strength of our economies. As the world gathered for COP30 in the Amazon, we called for nature to be placed at the heart of global climate action.
By investing in healthy ecosystems today – for example, protecting forests, restoring coral reefs, and supporting the communities that depend on them – we can create a safer, fairer, and more resilient world for people and wildlife. Because when nature thrives, we all thrive.
We need to address the elephant in the room. We all depend on nature. Now is the time to start acting like it.
For too long, climate change and biodiversity have been treated as separate challenges. But they are two sides of the same accelerating crisis. A stable climate depends on healthy ecosystems, and thriving biodiversity requires action to tackle climate change.
Key ecosystems such as the Amazon and tropical coral reefs are showing signs of crossing irreversible tipping points, the risk growing with every fraction of a degree of warming. These ecosystems depend on urgent action to minimise overshoot above 1.5 °C.
Putting Nature at the Heart of Global Decision Making at COP30
At COP30, we championed the role of nature as a key part of the climate solution. We’re calling for bold, practical action that puts ecosystems and people at the heart of global climate efforts.
Nature must have a lasting place in global climate discussions. Establishing a dedicated space within the UNFCCC will help bring together decisions on climate, biodiversity, and land desertification, allowing countries to work more effectively and efficiently towards shared goals.
Healthy ecosystems are vital for a stable, resilient planet. As countries finalise the reporting framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation, nature-focused targets and indicators must be built into the framework, recognising that protecting nature is one of the best ways to protect ourselves.
The world has pledged to halt and reverse deforestation and ecosystem degradation by 2030, but there’s still no clear plan to deliver on this commitment. We must agree on ambitious, practical steps to make this goal a reality, ensuring that all nations can contribute fairly and effectively.
Forests are one of our greatest defences against climate change. The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) will reward countries that protect forests through long-term, results-based finance, with 20% of funds going to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Securing strong commitments from governments and businesses will be essential to its success.
Climate change is already reshaping ecosystems worldwide
The landmark Global Tipping Points Report, with contributions from ZSL experts, found that coral reefs are passing their tipping points, causing the widespread dieback. Coral reefs underpin food security for an estimated one billion people while also shielding coastal communities from hurricanes, yet rising ocean temperatures and increasingly frequent marine heatwaves are accelerating their decline. The report also found that widespread dieback of the Amazon rainforest due to climate change and deforestation could occur at just 1.5°C of warming.
Nature must move from the sidelines to the centre of climate governance – unlocking the full potential of Nature-based Solutions for climate, nature, and people.
Nature is the foundation of all business – together we can fix the cracks before they crumble
Forests provide the raw materials and resources that support economies worldwide. Tropical forests are vital for regulating rainfall, stabilising the climate, protecting food supplies, and safeguarding some of the world’s most threatened wildlife. Yet, scaling up finance for biodiversity remains an urgent challenge — the practical, proven ways of working with nature to build a more resilient future.
The Tropical Forest Forever Facility is one key outcome from COP30 that can help bridge this gap. Businesses and financial institutions also have another crucial role to play. They must integrate nature into their climate transition plans – phasing out activities and investments that drive deforestation and biodiversity loss, while directing at least 30% of climate-related investments toward nature-positive outcomes.
We’re already demonstrating what this looks like in practice
Through nature-positive agroforestry in Thailand, we’re helping farmers build sustainable livelihoods that restore degraded land, support wildlife, and make conservation a viable business model. While in Cameroon – one of Africa’s most biodiverse countries and third largest timber exporter – we’re working to build a biodiverse economy that supports people and forests, and strengthening timber traceability by contributing to building a reference library of widely traded wood species in the country. Globally, ZSL is helping to shape a sustainable soft commodity sector – spanning palm oil, natural rubber and tropical forestry – by engaging with companies and investors, supporting responsible land-use planning, enhancing local capacity, and ensuring that conservation is integrated into decision-making from the outset.
At COP30, experts from our Sustainable Business and Finance team on the ground meet with governments, investors, and corporate partners to strengthen these efforts. Together, we’re helping drive the global shift toward nature-positive economies — ensuring that the natural resources we all depend on can continue to thrive for generations to come.
Sustainable forestry – pre-COP event hosted with FSC UK
Ahead of COP30, ZSL and FSC UK brought together different perspectives from the world of forestry to discuss how business, finance, and policy can help scale up sustainable forest management and drive positive impacts for climate, nature, and communities.
Discussion explored how responsible sourcing, certification, and innovative financing mechanisms can scale nature-positive forestry, and how the private sector can support forest protection and restoration efforts worldwide.
ZSL at COP30
COP30 brough together world leaders, conservationists, and communities to find solutions to the climate crisis. But to succeed, climate action must go hand-in-hand with protecting nature.
From sustainable financing on a global level to uncovering the power that urban rewilding holds for protecting cities against climate change, ZSL works across the globe to understand the vital role that nature plays in tackling climate change, ensuring action benefits both people and nature.
Our combination of scientific research, conservation work, and zoo-based expertise gives us a unique voice in global climate discussions. We use evidence from our research at the Institute of Zoology and from our field projects around the world to influence policy and inspire change.
We see firsthand how climate change is affecting wildlife — including species we care for through vital breeding programmes at our London and Whipsnade Zoos. It’s not species in exotic countries, but our experts are also working to save seabirds impacted by climate change in Europe.
That’s why we’re calling for nature to be at the heart of every decision. From individual choice to investments, supply chains and international treaties, we want to drive change that moves our global economic framework to value nature properly.
ZSL Events at COP30
Climate Change & Biodiversity Loss: Leveraging COP30 outcomes in Belem for CBD COP17 in Yerevan
Recognising the interconnected challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss for ecosystems and a healthy planet, Armenia organises this event to consider the ways of leveraging COP30 outcomes in Belem towards a successful global review of implementing the KMGBF at CBD COP17 in Yerevan in 2026. Wed, 12 Nov 2025, 13:15-14:45, Side event room 9
From Silos to Synergies: Making integrated climate and nature action a reality
Representatives from the presidencies of the three Rio Conventions (UNFCCC, UNCBD, UNCCD), and civil society, will explore concrete pathways for advancing climate and nature synergies. The event will showcase the leadership of Rio Convention presidencies – past, present and future – in championing synergies and moving from ambition to action. Bringing together representatives from Brazil, Colombia, Mongolia, the UK and across civil society, the interactive session will explore how joined-up solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss can be achieved at the multilateral level – both within and beyond the negotiations – alongside how global commitments can be translated into national action. Co-chaired by ZSL and Natural History Museum and includes speakers such as Minister Mary Creagh – UK Minister for Nature, Ruth Davis - UK Special Representative for Nature, Bruno Abaurre, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Brazil and other representatives from Colombia and Mongolia. Tues, 18 Nov 2025, 9.15am (75 mins) UK Pavilion, Blue Zone
ZSL experts at COP30
Bethan Laughlin: ZSL Senior Policy Specialist
In person 10th to 22nd November
James Pilkington: ZSL Sustainable Finance Programme Manager
In person 14th to 20th November
Bridget Adams: ZSL Finance (Nature) Youth Fellow and ZSL Sustainable Finance Analyst
In person 11th to 21st November
Andrew Fowler: ZSL Regional Director, West and Central Africa
In person 16th to 21st November
Juliana Martins: PhD Candidate
In person 11th to 21st November
Arrah Emmanuel: ZSL Sustainable Finance Manager, Africa
Online 10th to 21st November
Georgina Chandler: ZSL Head of Policy and Campaigns
Online 10th to 21st November