The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) is present at the 30th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), held November 10-21, 2025 in Belém, Pará, Brazil.

Held annually, COP is the world’s only multilateral decision-making forum on issues regarding climate change. It brings together key leaders and representatives from the 198 Parties, as well as intergovernmental bodies, scientists and academics, civil society, the private sector, media, and others to negotiate and develop global, collective, and inclusive ways forward in navigating the climate crisis.

Informally considered a “Nature COP” due to its venue at the heart of the Amazon, COP30 has also been dubbed the “Implementation COP”, with the Brazilian presidency highlighting the implementation of climate agreements as a central tenet of this year’s Conference.

ICSC is the co-convenor of the Independent Global Stocktake Southeast Asia (iGST SEA) Hub, a coordination hub member of the Global Shield Against Climate Risks, and supports the Vulnerable 20 (V20) Group of Finance Ministers under the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF).

As countries pivot toward cleaner and more sustainable energy systems, data science has emerged as a powerful catalyst of the energy transition. This panel aims to explore the nexus of data science and the energy transition by bringing together experts from civil society, government, and the industry. It will highlight the applications of data science, discuss challenges in data access and integration, and success stories of collaboration and impact.

This session will showcase co-produced early warning systems for hydrometeorological extremes allowing improved anticipatory action in Africa, demonstrating how access to climate finance flows can catalyze climate resilience through investments in anticipatory action systems and climate risk insurance to improve disaster risk management policy frameworks for resilience and early action.

Participating Organizations: IGAD Climate Prediction & Applications Centre (ICPAC); Munich Climate Insurance Initiative (MCII); Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT); African Centre Meteorological Application for Development (ACMAD); University of East Anglia; Institute for Climate Sustainability Cities (ICSC); NORCAP – Part of Norwegian Refugee Council

This roundtable discussion highlights the urgency for governments to move the Global Energy Storage and Grid Pledge from aspiration to action by embedding measurable storage targets in national plans, mobilizing finance,  investment and other supporting enablers, and fostering cross-country collaboration to ensure that every nation—especially in the Global South—can lead in this transformation.

Participating Organizations: NEXT Group; Global Renewables Alliance; Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment – South Korea; Asia Clean Energy Coalition (ACEC); Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC); Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA); Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI); Global Solar Council (GSC)

The ASEAN+3 region (ASEAN countries plus China, Japan, and South Korea) is at a pivotal juncture in the global clean energy transition. Despite the region’s potential, fragmented policies, infrastructure gaps, and unequal levels of economic and technological development among countries continue to slow down integration. This panel aims to explore pathways to strengthen regional cooperation among ASEAN+3 member countries in the clean energy supply chains.

Participating Organizations: Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC); Department of Energy – Philippines; Climate Vulnerable Forum – Vulnerable 20 Group; Agora Energiewende; Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR); Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC); Center for Energy, Ecology and Development (CEED)

Southeast Asia is a region rich in renewable energy, but today it continues to be a global bastion for fossil fuels. While ASEAN nations are signatories to the Paris Agreement and some to the Global Methane Pledge, these commitments are undermined by the widespread expansion of fossil fuel projects, especially fossil gas. Hosted by the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development, this panel discussion explores the challenges and opportunities in ambitiously transitioning to renewable energy in the region.

Participating Organizations: Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED); Friends of the Earth Japan; Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC); Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC); Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP); Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC)