Climate Policy Center

MIT Events and Speaking Engagements at COP30

Note that these events take place during the full two weeks of the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, running November 10th-November 21st. We invite you to scroll and view the complete list, which is in chronological order. 

Launch of the COP30 Food Systems Transformation Science and Philanthropy Advisory Group (FST-SPAG) Portfolio of Investable Solutions

Launched in March 2025 in Brazil to support the COP30 Presidency, the COP30 Food Systems Transformation Science and Philanthropy Advisory Group (FST-SPAG) is a global effort to unlock private capital and advance rigorous scientific evidence in support of key COP30 food systems goals. The portfolio of investable solutions represents the collective work of members to identify and elevate science-backed solutions with the potential to transform food systems at scale. This event will showcase scalable, evidence-based innovations that advance food systems transformation in line with COP30’s Food and Agriculture Axis.

From Climate Data to Systemic Change: AI-Powered Multi-City Collaboration

Discover how cities are using AI, data, and systemic portfolio design to accelerate climate action. This session will showcase CHAMP Brazil’s 50-city implementation, the open-source CityCatalyst platform, and a transformative cities vision from MIT linking urban innovation to Amazonian resilience.

Imaginary Atlas, Amazonia 

A collaboration with City Science, the Federal University of Pará and the Emílio Goeldi Museum, this immersive exhibition reimagines urban futures where cities grow in harmony with the forest. 

Meeting of the Mayors with City Science/MIT-Brazil

We’re inviting mayors and city leaders to join a new network of professionals dedicated to using advanced modeling and simulation tools to better understand and shape urban futures. In this session, MIT Professor of the Practice Kent Larson will share recent research and present new opportunities to advance responsive, human-centered urban development.

Making a Big Bet on Climate Change Adaptation with Women Smallholder Farmers

This event draws attention to the urgent adaptation challenges and opportunities facing climate vulnerable communities, particularly women smallholder farmers, whose leadership and resilience are central to sustaining food systems under climate stress. BRAC seeks to highlight locally-led adaptation that strengthens food systems and drives economic activity; approaches that have been guided by evidence, climate data, and community insight; and women leadership in building climate resilience in rural communities.

  • Date and Location: November 12th at 12 p.m. in the Tanzania Pavilion, Blue Zone
  • MIT Faculty/Staff: Andre Zollinger (J-PAL)

UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee Report on Building Energy Efficiency release event

MIT is a global leader in technology development, but what does it take to implement new technologies in the real world? Led by the MIT Climate Policy Center's Drew Story, we have taken a more active role in contributing to this type of policy formation. In partnership with GlobalABC and moderated by MCPC Executive Director Bethany Patten, the event will feature a new UNFCCC TEC policy brief that delineates policies and actions needed to deploy climate technologies in buildings, including case studies of successful deployment. The release comes alongside the Solar Impulse Foundation’s catalogue of ready-to-go climate technologies.

Advancing Global Climate Policy

Credit: Tim Correira

Brazil's aspiration to announce an Open Coalition for Carbon Market Integration has been informed by the Global Climate Policy Project (GCPP)’s flagship report on climate coalitions. GCPP Faculty Lead Catherine Wolfram (MIT Sloan) and Director Arathi Rao (Salata Institute), were invited to participate in an event that the Brazilian government is organizing on carbon markets during COP30 Finance Days. The GCPP will also convene a closed-door session on the margins of COP30 in Belém to shape its forward-looking work program.

City Science for Climate Action: Insights from International Leaders

The City Science Network is an international community advancing research and innovation to create more livable, equitable, and resilient cities. The event brings together global urban decision-makers to explore how cities can lead climate action and regenerative transformation. 

Scaling Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) Through Evidence and Practice

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT and The Nature Conservancy will convene a panel with government officials, development practitioners, and research institutions to explore the state of evidence of PES schemes. Participants will examine key barriers deterring broader and fairer participation while reviewing emerging evidence on how to design more scalable and inclusive PES policies drawing on lessons from around the world. 

Urban Mitigation and Adaptation: Academic Partnerships with Implementing Agencies for Climate Solutions (Official MIT Side Event)

Kent Larson from the MIT City Science Center and Jeffrey Schlegelmilch from Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP) will showcase innovative partnerships between universities and non-academic actors that are accelerating climate action. This event invites academics, decision makers, and collaborators to rethink how research can drive real-world impact.

Urban Development Design Exhibit  

From MIT's City Infrastructure Equity Lab (CIEL), this ongoing exhibit will demonstrate the realities of Amazonian river cities by exploring how urban development can be recentered around rivers—integrating them into spatial, ecological, and infrastructural systems.

Innovation and Investigation as a Driver of Change

As part of the side event “a Day at COP30,” the City Science Lab at Gipuzkoa will lead a workshop focused on exploring governance spaces for climate action, reflecting on new models of collaboration and decision-making that integrate research, innovation, and local knowledge.

Connecting Academia and K-12 Education for Climate Action

With insights from  MIT Open Learning pK-12, this event will explore how collaboration between academic institutions and K–12 educators can drive the creation of innovative climate curriculums, and foster networks.

Leveraging the Private Sector to Make Markets Work for Farmers Who Face Increased Climate Risk

At the Food and Agriculture Pavilion, the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT will present evidence-backed interventions from J-PAL and CEGA’s research portfolio to help farmers tap into markets to strengthen their resilience to economic and climate shocks.

Bridging Research and Scale: Evidence-Backed Agricultural Solutions

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT is hosting a panel discussion bringing together leaders from multilateral development banks, the private sector, philanthropy, and research institutions to explore what it takes to scale scientific innovations for food and agriculture. 

  • Date and Location: November 19th at the Planetary Science Pavilion
  • MIT Faculty/Staff: Leonie Rauls (J-PAL)