Business leadership in action: Highlights from the COP30 Business Pavilion
We Mean Business Coalition
The Business Pavilion at COP30 in Belém was a catalyst for collaboration, bringing together the private sector, governments, and civil society to accelerate climate solutions and showcase the economic opportunities of the transition.
Hosted in collaboration with Conselho Empresarial Brasileiro para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável (CEBDS) and our partners, the pavilion became a dynamic space where business leadership on climate took center stage. Across 42 events, leaders from business, government, finance, and civil society came together to demonstrate that the transition to a sustainable economy is not just possible—it’s already happening.
Over two weeks, our sponsors and partners delivered events across clean energy, industrial transformation, nature and biodiversity, high-integrity carbon markets, transport decarbonization, supply chain resilience, and improved environmental data systems. These sessions sparked cross-sector dialogue that turns commitments into action.
Highlights from the pavilion:
NDCs in focus
Week one at the Business Pavilion began with a spotlight on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The Corporate Leaders Group kicked things off with an event exploring how integrated climate and nature targets can strengthen national plans while driving economic competitiveness.
This was followed by a session co-hosted with Unilever that made the case for clear, investible NDCs as essential catalysts for scaling technologies and solutions that deliver tangible benefits for economies and communities worldwide.
Inclusive leadership: women driving change
In a standing-room-only session, the Women Leading on Climate Network’s flagship event showcased how diverse women leaders of all ages and from all regions are shaping both the pace and direction of climate action. The energy in the room spoke to a collective drive for more inclusive and effective climate leadership.
Led by Catherine McKenna and María Mendiluce, the initiative brings together a global network of women to foster collaboration and elevate emerging leaders. The event set the tone for an ambitious and inclusive COP30 agenda.
Climate action delivers
Tuesday saw the pavilion packed once again for America Is All In’s session, which highlighted the tangible benefits that cities, states, and businesses are delivering through pragmatic climate action. Gavin Newsom, Governor of California, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor of New Mexico, climate policy expert Nate Hultman, and climate and energy editor Tim McDonnell highlighted real-world wins: new jobs, record-breaking renewable investments, and projects transforming communities. The takeaway was clear—climate action fuels economic opportunity and strengthens communities.
Financing forest protection and regeneration
Our forest finance session, co-hosted with Race to Belém, examined how private investment can accelerate the shift toward land use systems that are deforestation- and conversion-free, actively regenerating nature rather than depleting it. With COP30 hosted in the heart of the Amazon, reminders of the urgency and opportunity of this work were all around us.
The electric era: powering a competitive, secure future
The electrification era is here—driving the clean energy transition and reshaping how we power economies, cut emissions, and deliver reliable, affordable energy to communities worldwide.
Our flagship session on clean electrification demonstrated the pathway to affordable, competitive, and secure energy, showing how business action supported by clear government signals can unlock faster progress at scale.
Small businesses, big impact
As week two began, the SME Climate Hub spotlighted small and medium enterprises, highlighting both their vulnerability to climate impacts and their enormous potential to drive innovation, resilience, and economic transformation when supported by the right policies and finance. Representing 90% of all businesses, SMEs are the backbone of economies worldwide, and their engagement is essential to achieving a just transition.
Looking ahead
As we leave COP30, one thing is abundantly clear: business is innovating, business is implementing, and momentum is building. The technologies exist. The business case is proven. The economic opportunities are real. Now governments must set the course with ambitious policies that match the scale of business ambition and climate urgency.
With thanks to our Business Pavilion sponsors and event contributors for their invaluable support: Boston Consulting Group, America Is All In, Iberdrola, National Grid, Itaú, Acciona, Siemens, Unilever, Sunrise Project, Natura, LinkedIn, KfW.
And to our supporting partners: Conservation International, Mission Possible Partnership, Race to Belém, CLC Finland.
And finally, to all of our staff at COP30 and those supporting remotely.