This month, Audubon experts will travel to the heart of the Amazon rainforest—not to study birds in the wild (at least not this time), but to demonstrate how Audubon’s science, conservation work, strategic partnerships and policy innovations can help solve the climate crisis.
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This month, Audubon experts will travel to the heart of the Amazon rainforest—not to study birds in the wild (at least not this time), but to demonstrate how Audubon’s science, conservation work, strategic partnerships and policy innovations can help solve the climate crisis.
COP30, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, opens November 10 in Belém, Brazil. For two weeks, this city on the banks of the Amazon River will host representatives from more than 190 countries, along with Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, international bodies, and conservation leaders from around the world. Together, they’ll work to advance solutions that halt and reverse global climate change—and strengthen our collective ability to adapt to its inevitable impacts.
Climate change is one of the greatest threats facing bird populations across the hemisphere. The decisions made in Belém will help determine our ability to protect both the birds and the planet we love for generations to come.
Why Birds Matter at a Climate Summit
Birds are powerful indicators of ecosystem health and climate impacts. When bird populations thrive, they signal that forests, grasslands, wetlands, and other habitats are healthy. When they struggle, they show us where natural systems—and people—are under stress.
That’s why Audubon’s science-based approach to conservation resonates in global climate discussions. Protecting the habitats birds depend on also safeguards the natural systems that store carbon, provide clean water, and help communities adapt to a changing climate.
The Power of Collective Action
One key theme likely to emerge from COP30 is the continued importance of working together across borders to confront the climate crisis.
This year has tested the international system: negotiations have been challenging, and some countries have stepped back from certain agreements to focus on domestic priorities.
Yet nearly all nations will gather in Belém to renew their commitment to collective action on one of the most urgent challenges facing life on Earth. They will negotiate new decisions, advance conservation programs, and announce initiatives to reduce emissions and build resilience.
By the end of two weeks, the world should be reminded that international cooperation remains essential—and that climate diplomacy can still deliver results.
Forests, Finance, and Flying Forward
With Brazil as host and the Amazon as backdrop, COP30 will spotlight forests, nature-based solutions, climate adaptation, and Indigenous leadership in conservation. A historic gathering of Indigenous leaders in Belém will highlight the intrinsic connection between healthy ecosystems, thriving communities, and a stable climate.
Expected highlights include:
