Belém, Brazil, the location for COP30 climate talks (photo credit: Tarcisio Schnaider/iStock).

CTrees is heading to Belém, Brazil, for COP30 climate talks, November 10-21, 2025. With the COP30 Presidency focusing attention on tropical forests and sustainable development, CTrees experts will be discussing the role of science and technology innovation in efforts to reduce deforestation, restore landscapes, and scale finance for nature.

Sassan Saatchi, CTrees’ CEO and chief scientist, will speak at events throughout the week, and Raymond Song, carbon markets and policy lead, will also participate in events.

Interested in meeting? Please email info@ctrees.org to set up a conversation.

Events hosted by CTrees at COP30 will include:

Scaling Jurisdictional Climate Action: Integrating Nature-Based Emission Reductions and Removals

Thursday, November 13, 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. | Rede Andrade Hangar Hotel

This panel will discuss integrating jurisdictional REDD+ programs with forest restoration to boost ecosystem and economic resilience to climate change. As COP30 advances models like the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, jurisdictional REDD+, and landscape restoration, panelists will explore how innovation in science, technology, and economic foresight can drive sustainable, scalable climate action in the tropics and Global South. RSVP >

Speakers:

  • Luiz Aragão, senior scientist and head of earth observation and geoinformatics division, INPE

  • Jamey Mulligan, head of carbon neutralization science & strategy, Amazon Sustainability

  • Carlos Nobre, senior researcher, University of São Paulo

  • Sassan Saatchi, CEO and chief scientist, CTrees

  • Marli Teresinha dos Santos, Director of Environmental Management Instruments, Tocantins

  • Raymond Song, carbon markets and policy lead, CTrees (moderator)


    • Introducing ORCHID: Scaling Policy and Investment with the First Global Inventory of Carbon and Biodiversity in Tropical Forests

    Saturday, November 15, 12:15 - 1:30 p.m. | COP30 ICC and IETA Business Pavilion, Blue Zone

    Join CTrees at the ICC and IETA Business Pavilion for a session introducing ORCHID, a $100 million, five-year science initiative to revolutionize how we measure, value, and protect tropical forests. Endorsed by leading conservation NGOs and scientific institutions, ORCHID will deliver the world’s most comprehensive tropical forest inventory by 2030, providing detailed carbon and biodiversity data for 1.5 billion hectares of forest in the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia. RSVP >

    Panelists and ORCHID Coalition members include:

  • Ane Alencar, director of science, IPAM; coordinator, Cerrado and fire initiatives, MapBiomas

  • Paulo Artaxo, professor, University of São Paulo

  • Lydie-Stella Koutika, director of research, Centre for Plantations Research, Republic of Congo; co-chair, Science Panel for the Congo Basin

  • Sassan Saatchi, CEO and chief scientist, CTrees (presenter and moderator)

  • Lee White, special envoy, Science Panel for the Congo Basin; honorary professor, University of Stirling


    • CTrees speaking events at COP30 will include:

    Safeguarding Climate Action: Reforming and Strengthening Carbon Markets and Accelerating CO₂ Removal – Deep Dive

    Tuesday, November 11, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Planetary Science Pavilion, Blue Zone

    Sassan Saatchi will speak alongside scientists at a session of the Planetary Science Pavilion, a flagship initiative mandated by the COP30 Presidency and co-led by Prof. Johan Rockström, PIK, and Prof. Carlos Nobre, University of São Paulo. The Pavilion aims to elevate the role of science in climate negotiations, strengthen the science–policy interface, and showcase actionable pathways for climate solutions. Details >

    Wildfire Action Accelerator Pledge - Launch at COP30

    Thursday, November 13, 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | Rede Andrade Hangar Hotel

    Sassan Saatchi will speak at the official launch of the Wildfire Action Accelerator Pledge. The accelerator, led by Environmental Defense Fund and civil society partners, calls for a global shift toward prevention, resilience, and coordinated action-supporting other global initiatives for integrated fire management and resilience. RSVP >

    The Science Behind Nature: Evidence, Durability and Integrity in Carbon Markets

    Friday, November 14, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. | Nature Hub Pavilion, Blue Zone

    Sassan Saatchi will speak alongside leading scientists on how scientific research is strengthening confidence in the effectiveness and integrity of nature-based solutions within carbon markets. The event is hosted by Nature4Climate as part of Carbon Markets for Nature Day at the Nature Hub Pavilion. Learn more >

    Earth Observation Tools and Sustainable Management of Gabon's Natural Resources: Current Situation, Challenges and Prospects

    Friday, November 14, 2:00 p.m. | Pavillon Gabon

    In this side event, Sassan Saatchi will join policy and science leaders from Gabon for a discussion highlighting how the Gabonese Space Agency (AGEOS) has engaged with international partners, such as CTrees, to improve the country's forest monitoring systems, guide sustainable land use management, and expand capacity for climate finance.