Seahorse’s Top 5 Summer Environmental Events: Paving the Way to COP30
By Rosheena Sheehan, Account Executive
While COP30 still feels far away, this summer’s key environmental events are already shaping the global climate conversation. From ocean protection to climate finance, these moments are essential for building the momentum and public pressure needed to ensure COP30 delivers where previous summits have fallen short.
To understand where global priorities are shifting, and where major commitments might be made ahead of COP30, Seahorse is tracking five of the most impactful environmental events this summer:
United Nations Ocean Conference
Date: 9th-13th June
Location: Nice, France
Register commitment here.
Co-hosted by the Governments of Costa Rica and France, the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) is a crucial opportunity for countries to show leadership on ocean protection ahead of COP. Coastal communities disproportionately feel the impacts of climate change and destructive activity at sea, and are looking to countries to use the moment to ratify the High Seas Treaty and make real progress towards achieving the global 30x30 target.
Just after World Ocean Day on 8 June, the five-day conference will bring together governments, UN agencies, financial institutions, NGOs, civil society organisations, Indigenous communities, academic institutions, and the private sector to share best practices, identify solutions, and shape a new vision for ocean governance.
As Attenborough’s new film Ocean hits Disney+ ahead of the talks, showcasing the lasting impacts of continued overfishing and bottom trawling across our global oceans, the sector is watching closely, hopeful that Governments will take meaningful action to deliver protection that really means protection.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change SB 62
Date: 16th-26th June
Location: World Conference Center Bonn, Germany
Register for the meeting here.
Organised by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the 62nd session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB 62) serves as a preparatory meeting for the upcoming COP30.
Focused on technical and policy discussions around climate change, including adaptation, mitigation, finance, and transparency, SB 62 will bring together government delegates from UNFCCC member states, intergovernmental organisations, NGOs, and media representatives.
As a key milestone between COP29 and COP30, SB62 will build on the work initiated at COP29 across several initiatives, with a primary focus on the Gender Action Plan, aiming to recommend a decision for consideration and adoption at COP30. This is a key development in advancing women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in climate action and promoting gender-responsive climate policies.
London Climate Action Week
Date: 22nd-30th June
Location: London, United Kingdom
Find the event timetable and various sign-ups here.
Now in its sixth year, London Climate Action Week (LCAW) has evolved into a global platform for driving both city-level and international climate solutions. Originally launched by E3G in partnership with the Mayor of London to bring together the city’s climate professionals and communities, LCAW has grown significantly in scale and influence, attracting global participation and attention.
With events from ‘Navigating ESG & Climate Headwinds’ for the financial sector to regenerative futures and ‘shaping design for a resilient planet’, this year’s LCAW will place a special emphasis on sustainable finance, the circular economy and ocean conservation.
This weeklong series of environmental events serves as a platform to galvanise momentum and build the necessary cooperation, politics and diplomacy for achieving ambitious climate targets.
Climate Week NYC
Date: 21st-28th September
Location: New York City, U.S.A
Get in touch for speaker opportunities here or sponsorship enquiries here.
The Climate Group’s annual event brings together over 900 events and activities across New York City. The event takes place every year in partnership with the United Nations General Assembly and is run in coordination with the United Nations and the City of New York.
Climate Week NYC has consistently made headlines, with the 2024 edition featuring major announcements such as commitments to triple nuclear investment and accelerate decarbonisation in the aviation sector. Since its inception in 2009, the event has brought together global leaders from across sectors to elevate the climate dialogue.
Past attendees have included high-profile figures such as actress and climate activist Jane Fonda and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, underscoring the event’s broad influence and reach.
IUCN World Conservation Congress
Date: 9th-15th October
Location: ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, UAE
Register for the event here.
Held once every four years, the IUCN World Conservation Congress (IUCN WCC) is a landmark event that brings together nature conservation experts, leaders, and decision-makers from across the globe. The Congress helps shape global priorities for nature and conservation through a dynamic programme of interactive thematic sessions, speaker presentations, and hands-on training workshops.
With a focus on powering transformative conservation, this year’s Congress will explore how climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and global health crises are being intensified by growing political and socio-economic instability.
Get in contact with Jennifer Humphries, Account Director, at jhumphries@seahorseenvironmental.co.uk, if you're thinking about a presence at these events and how Seahorse can help.