5 climate conferences to know about

If you’re like us, you’re probably looking for ways to stay updated with the latest climate news and breakthroughs. Global climate conferences are where it all happens, so we’ve rounded up 5 must-watch events this autumn.

The best part? For most of these events, you can tune in from home and get your dose of climate action virtually —no jet-setting required. Be sure to keep an eye out for us as we’ll be in attendance at many of them, bringing our innovative climate solutions to the world stage.

Conservation Optimism Summit

After hosting two successful summits previously, the Conservation Optimism Summit is returning to Oxford, UK, from September 16-19, 2024.

This event brings together people from diverse backgrounds who share a passion for global conservation. The summit aims to address some of the greatest conservation challenges of our time by fostering hope, new skills, community, and well-being.

With speakers from fields like the arts, academia, business, and health, the summit offers innovative workshops, well-being sessions, and talks, featuring art, music, film, and fresh approaches.

What stands out is the summit’s focus on global conservation through the lens of hope, success, and inspiration. Join the summit either in person in Oxford or online from anywhere in the world.

Climate Week NYC

Climate Week NYC is one the largest and influential climate events of its kind, and runs across New York City both in person and online. It returns this year from September 22-29, 2024.

Climate Week NYC is a key event that gathers not only the top business and political leaders but also communities, artists, and activists, who are uniting together for this year’s theme: “It’s Time.”

The conference unites business leaders, policymakers, governments and representatives from the climate sector, along with people of all ages, backgrounds, and locations, to drive forward climate action and celebrate the change already taking place.

A significant part of this event is the huge media coverage and attention it gets, making it a powerful platform for spotlighting critical climate issues.

You can stream Climate Week NYC for free on their Hub.

Cool Earth is a Blue Earth Ecosystem Partner and we’re appearing at their climate focused conference.

Blue Earth Summit

We might be a little biased on this one since we are on a few panels for this summit discussing our solutions to protecting rainforests!

The Blue Earth Summit is a 3-day impact event running across the 16th – 18th October 2024 in London. Inspired by the great outdoors, it’s a summit designed to find solutions that regenerate the natural world.

It’s bringing together over 7,000 innovators, investors, corporations, politicians, adventurers, academics, and campaigners from around the world- all dedicated to delivering positive change for people and the planet.

This is an in-person event that includes keynote speeches, panel discussions and workshops, focusing on topics like conservation, responsible business practices, and community engagement. But keep an eye on their Youtube and across our socials for updates live from the event.

Biodiversity COP16

Biodiversity COP16 is the 16th meeting for countries involved in the Convention on Biological Diversity – a 1992 international agreement on how we should protect the planet’s resources.

Taking place between October 21st – November 1st 2024 in Cali, Colombia, global leaders will discuss and decide on how to protect biodiversity and use natural resources more sustainably. The Biodiversity COPs have been gradually increasing attention as organisations, governments and global policy makers are finally realising that without protecting biodiversity there is no future for the planet.

It will be interesting to see what progress is made at this year’s conference, and how the decisions from it will go on to affect the decisions made on combating and adapting to climate change.

COP29 Climate Conference

And here’s the big one: COP29 is happening from November 11th to 22nd, 2024, this time in Baku, Azerbaijan.

At COP29, world leaders, negotiators, scientists, and activists will meet to review how we’re doing on climate goals, set new targets, and figure out how to keep the Paris Agreement on track. The conference is key for coordinating global efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate impacts, and secure the financial and technical support needed for climate action.

As a climate charity, we are skeptical of the impact of COP. Yet, these spaces serve as a way to rally and vocalise Indigenous peoples’ fights, their concerns and their hopes.

We want to see highlighted the crucial role of including Indigenous peoples and local communities in global climate policy decisions and the need to channel climate finance directly to those living in rainforests. By collaborating with similar organisations in attendance, we can amplify our message and increase the likelihood of reaching policymakers and funders.