The IBA at UNFCCC COP30: Advancing the role of the legal profession in responding to the climate crisis – International Bar Association

Report on the International Bar Association’s Engagement at UNFCCC COP30 in Support of the Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: COP30 as a Critical Juncture for Global Climate Action

The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be held in Belem, Brazil, from 10–21 November 2025. This conference represents a pivotal moment for global climate efforts, marking the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement. Its primary focus will be on establishing a new era of climate ambition, directly supporting the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action). A key agenda item involves the submission of new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which outline national targets for climate mitigation for the subsequent decade. The conference also follows the delivery of landmark advisory opinions by international courts, which clarify state obligations to align with the 1.5-degree temperature goal, reinforcing the framework of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by strengthening international law on climate change.

The IBA’s Strategic Role in Advancing Climate Justice and Policy

As an official observer organisation to the UNFCCC, the International Bar Association (IBA) is strategically positioned to advance the global climate agenda by leveraging the expertise of the legal profession. The IBA’s participation underscores the critical role of lawyers and robust legal institutions in translating international climate commitments into actionable national policies. This work is fundamental to achieving SDG 13 by creating effective governance structures and ensuring accountability. Furthermore, by promoting the rule of law in environmental matters, the IBA directly contributes to building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels, a core target of SDG 16.

Schedule of Key Engagements and Contributions to the SDGs

The IBA will participate in and support several key events before, during, and after COP30, each designed to advance specific aspects of the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Pre-COP30 Global Summit (7–8 November, Rio de Janeiro)

   • This preparatory meeting will focus on the role of legal professionals in the energy transition and climate litigation.
   • SDG Linkages: The summit directly addresses SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by exploring legal frameworks for a just transition, SDG 13 (Climate Action) through discussions on litigation as a tool for enforcement, and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by enhancing the capacity of the legal community to engage in climate justice.

2. Climate Law and Governance Day 2025 (14 November, Online)

   • This virtual symposium, held in partnership with the Climate Law and Governance Initiative, will convene global experts to discuss legal and governance innovations for climate ambition. The IBA will host a roundtable on the corporate and legal implications of recent international advisory opinions on climate change.
   • SDG Linkages: This event promotes SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering collaboration among academic institutions, law firms, and civil society. It also strengthens SDG 16 by examining how international legal developments can shape national laws and corporate governance to accelerate SDG 13.

3. UNFCCC COP30 Official Side Event (20 November, Belem)

   • Titled ‘Practitioners of law advancing climate mitigation & adaptation through pro bono & beyond’, this official event will examine how legal practitioners can support the implementation of climate commitments.
   • SDG Linkages: The discussion on pro bono services and strategic litigation to support climate-affected communities highlights a commitment to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16. The overall focus on implementing government and corporate commitments is central to achieving SDG 13.

4. Reflections on COP30 Outcomes Webinar (1 December, Online)

   • This post-conference webinar will analyze the outcomes of COP30 and other significant developments in international environmental law, assessing their implications for the legal profession.
   • SDG Linkages: By disseminating knowledge and planning future actions, this event supports the continuous improvement of institutional capacity required by SDG 16 and maintains momentum for multi-stakeholder collaboration under SDG 17 to drive progress on SDG 13 into 2026 and beyond.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The entire article is centered on climate change, referencing the UNFCCC COP30, the Paris Agreement, climate mitigation, and adaptation. It discusses the global effort to address the climate crisis, which is the core focus of SDG 13.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article emphasizes the role of legal institutions (International Bar Association, international courts), the rule of law, and access to justice in the context of climate change. It highlights climate litigation, advisory opinions from courts, and the importance of legal frameworks and governance, all of which are central to SDG 16.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article details extensive collaboration between various entities. The International Bar Association (IBA) is working with the UNFCCC, the Climate Law and Governance Initiative, other bar associations, academic institutions, and law firms to advance the climate agenda. This multi-stakeholder approach is the essence of SDG 17.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article explicitly mentions that the Pre-COP30 Global Summit featured “discussions on the role of lawyers and legal associations in the energy transition.” This directly links the legal profession’s work to the goals of transitioning to sustainable energy systems, a key component of SDG 7.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The article directly references this by stating that COP30 marks “a new era of climate ambition as countries submit Nationally Determined Contributions that set their targets for climate mitigation for the next decade.” These NDCs are the primary instruments for integrating climate measures into national planning.
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning. The IBA’s activities are focused on this target. The article mentions the “IBA Bar Issues Commission has developed a Climate Change Working Group to champion climate legal education and capacity building with bars around the globe” and events designed to explore “the role of bar associations in equipping lawyers to advise clients effectively.”

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The article highlights the importance of the rule of law through its discussion of “landmark advisory opinions delivered by international courts” and the role of “climate litigation and strategic litigation in promoting accountability.” It also touches on access to justice by mentioning the “challenges facing lawyers representing climate-affected communities.”
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The IBA, as the “global voice of the legal profession,” acts as an effective institution promoting accountability. Its role as an “official observer organisation to the UNFCCC” and its efforts to convene discussions on how legal practitioners can “support the implementation of government and corporate climate commitments” contribute to building institutional effectiveness and transparency.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships. The article is a showcase of this target in action. The IBA is collaborating with a wide range of partners, including the UNFCCC, the “Climate Law and Governance Initiative and global partners,” “other bar associations,” “academic institutions,” and “law firms” to share knowledge and advance the climate agenda.
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The events described, such as the “UNFCCC COP30 official side event” where the IBA (civil society) collaborates with other bar associations and participates in a UN-led process (public), are perfect examples of the partnerships this target aims to promote.

4. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.a: Enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The article mentions that the “Pre-COP30 Global Summit” included “discussions on the role of lawyers and legal associations in the energy transition.” This implies that the legal community is actively working on creating the legal and governance frameworks necessary to facilitate investment and cooperation in the clean energy sector.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 13 (Climate Action):

   • Implied Indicator for Target 13.2: The submission of “Nationally Determined Contributions” (NDCs) by countries, as mentioned in the article, is a key indicator used to track the integration of climate policies into national planning.
   • Implied Indicator for Target 13.3: The number and scope of capacity-building initiatives. The article points to several measurable activities: the “Pre-COP30 Global Summit,” the “Climate Law and Governance Day 2025” symposium, the official COP30 side event, and the post-COP30 webinar. The existence of the “IBA Climate Change Working Group” is another indicator of institutional capacity building.

2. For SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):

   • Implied Indicator for Target 16.3: The number and impact of legal actions and judicial decisions related to climate change. The article explicitly refers to “landmark advisory opinions delivered by international courts” and trends in “climate litigation” as significant developments, which can be tracked as indicators of the rule of law in action.

3. For SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):

   • Implied Indicator for Target 17.16/17.17: The number of multi-stakeholder partnerships and joint events. The article provides concrete examples that can be counted as indicators: the IBA’s partnership with the Climate Law and Governance Initiative for a symposium, and its collaboration with “other bar associations” for an official UNFCCC side event.

4. For SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):

   • Implied Indicator for Target 7.a: The development of legal and policy frameworks supporting the energy transition. While not a quantitative metric in the article, the fact that “discussions on the role of lawyers… in the energy transition” are taking place at a pre-COP summit indicates progress in developing the necessary governance structures, which is a qualitative indicator.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ibanet.org