COP30 Launches the First Planetary Science Pavilion, Placing Science at the Center of Climate Decision-Making

Mandated by the COP Presidency, the new space sets a historic milestone by integrating science directly into the global decision-making process

Located in the Blue Zone of COP30, the Planetary Science Pavilion marks an unprecedented advancement in the history of UN Climate Conferences. Mandated by the COP30 Presidency, the space is the first official pavilion fully dedicated to science, reinforcing the conference’s commitment to making this the “COP of Truth,” guided by evidence and integrity.

Co-chaired by Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and Carlos Nobre, renowned Brazilian scientist, Planetary Guardian and Co-Chair of the Scientific Panel for the Amazon, the pavilion hosts High-Level Panels, meetings between negotiators and scientists, press briefings, and the launches of key reports such as the Global Carbon Budget 2025 and 10 New Insights in Climate Science.

“Science must guide our path toward a habitable planet. COP30 will be the COP of truth, where evidence, integrity, and cooperation shape every decision we make for humanity’s future,” said Ana Toni, CEO of COP30.

Science as a Direct Bridge to Negotiations

Functioning as a “science command center” at COP30, the Pavilion aims to create a continuous bridge between research and negotiation by providing real-time data, analyses, briefings, and a ‘Science Hotline’ to inform strategic decisions throughout the two weeks of the conference.

The program brings together global experts and institutions such as Future Earth, the Earth League, the International Science Council, INPA, USP, UFPA, Stanford University, the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, Planetary Guardians, and the Scientific Panel for the Amazon.

Carlos Nobre highlighted the relevance of this unprecedented model for decision-making in Belém: “The Amazon is the heart of the planet’s climate system. What happens here will determine whether humanity can restore balance or trigger an irreversible shift.”

Amazon Day and the Debate on the 1.5°C Limit

This past Saturday featured activities focused on the Amazon biome. The program emphasized the forest’s role in global climate stability and deepened the debate on the 1.5°C limit, a critical threshold beyond which risks to ecosystems and societies rise sharply. Experts and Indigenous Peoples’ leaders presented analyses on mitigation, adaptation, and the social, economic, and environmental impacts of climate change in the region.

During the conference, the Planetary Health Check 2025 was also presented—an in-depth assessment of the state of the planet’s life-support systems. The diagnosis shows that seven of the nine planetary boundaries have already been crossed and translates this outlook into practical recommendations to guide policymaking at COP30. The document provides negotiators with a clear understanding of risks and the actions required to bring the planet back into a safe and just operating space.

The pavilion—an immersive 150 m² environment featuring real-time data visualizations, interactive experiences, and content that integrates contemporary science with traditional knowledge—was designed to facilitate dialogue and make science immediately accessible to decision-makers. The goal is to enable delegations and negotiators to understand, in an integrated way, the state of the planet and the pathways for its recovery.

For more information, visit:https://planetarysciencepavilion.org/