By Prof. Marcus Nakagawa, D.Sc. – Coordinator of the Business Sustainability for Leaders program (IBS Americas)
From November 10 to 21, 2025, Belém do Pará, Brazil, will host COP30, the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference. More than 190 countries will come together to discuss courses of action in response to the current climate crisis and emergency, in a meeting that goes beyond politics, as its decisions will influence investments, regulations, and business strategies on a global scale. Topics such as green energy investments, carbon markets, clean transition, inclusion, and global inequality will be on the agenda, addressing the challenges of our present reality.
The symbolism of holding the conference in the heart of the Amazon reinforces the urgency of the issue. The future of tropical forests, fundamental to the planet’s climate balance, will be debated before the entire world. The on-site experience of delegates, business leaders, politicians, entrepreneurs, Indigenous peoples, activists, and environmental advocates will also shed light on social challenges and inequalities.
What’s at Stake for Companies and Executives
COP30 in Brazil goes far beyond diplomatic negotiations. Its outcomes will have direct impact on businesses, investors, and consumers.
One of the central topics will be climate finance, guided by the Baku–Belém Roadmap (an international plan defining how countries and investors will expand funding for the climate transition). The goal is to mobilize about USD 1.3 trillion per year by 2035 to support clean energy, environmental preservation, and climate adaptation initiatives (C2ES).
For business leaders, this agenda reinforces a critical message: sustainability is not a cost, it is a strategic responsibility and a condition for competitiveness, as well as an opportunity for new business, products, and services.
Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF): an innovative proposal
Among the highlighted initiatives is the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), proposed by the Brazilian government. The fund aims to raise USD 125 billion and use its returns to reward countries that preserve tropical forests, marking a significant step in the practical application of ecological economics.
An important differentiator is the provision that 20% of the resources will go to Indigenous peoples and local communities, key players in protecting the Amazon and other tropical biomes (Brazilian Ministry of Finance). The inclusion of these populations is essential to addressing inequality and responding to the climate emergency.
Experts, however, caution that the reference value may be insufficient and stress the importance of ensuring transparency and participatory governance in the use of funds (Global Forest Coalition, FERN).
The role of companies ahead of COP30
COP30 in Belém is expected to highlight trends that are already shaping leadership and corporate strategy worldwide, themes that we have long discussed in academia, consulting, lectures, and within organizations:
- Sustainability as Strategy – Companies aligned with climate commitments will be better prepared for risks and opportunities.
- Transparency as Value – Investors and consumers demand clarity on social and environmental impacts.
- Partnerships as Pathways – International funds, governments, and the private sector must collaborate to deliver scalable solutions.
- Leadership as Inspiration – It is up to leaders to engage teams and turn commitments into concrete action.
Developing Sustainable Leaders
Business schools also play a crucial role in this transformation. Training executives capable of translating international resolutions into actionable strategies is essential for the future of organizations.
At IBS Americas, the Business Sustainability for Leaders program, offered in partnership with the State University of New York, prepares executives from different countries to integrate corporate sustainability into strategic planning, with a global perspective and high-level networking.
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The COP30 in Brazil will be a milestone in global climate negotiations. But its true legacy will depend on the ability of companies, governments, and educational institutions to turn commitments into action. A new mindset is emerging within traditional business models. We are moving from “Business as Usual” to “Business for Positive Impact.”
For business leaders, the message is clear: In a world in transition, leading sustainably is not just an ethical choice; it is a market requirement and a condition for the future. And those who are not prepared will be left behind.
