Earth Day and global policy

In 2025, Earth Day will be particularly significant as it leads up to some key policy meetings affecting wildlife, including COP30—the 30th UN Climate Change Conference—taking place in Belém, Brazil, this November. This year’s COP is set to be the largest-ever climate COP focused on nature, and particularly forests, given the conference is firmly rooted in the heart of the Amazon.

At COP30, world leaders will come together to discuss and evaluate global climate commitments and push for stronger action. While Earth Day might be grounded in grassroots activism, it builds momentum for major policy discussions at COP30, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in tackling climate change.

Also this year, the UN Oceans Conference (held every three years) will be taking place in Nice, France, in June 2025. Ahead of the conference, IFAW is campaigning for the High Seas Treaty, which would create protected areas in parts of the ocean beyond national jurisdiction, to be ratified by at least 60 countries.

In addition, the IUCN World Conservation Congress (held every four years) will occur in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in October 2025.