COP31 will bring together delegates from nearly 200 countries. Here’s a brief overview of events that scientists from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) will be speaking at (note all events are in the local timezone – UTC+3). Listings will be updated and added.
Tuesday 10 November
09:30 – 17:30 | “Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Paris-aligned Mitigation Pathways”: launch of the Science Panel for the Global Energy Transition (SP-GET) policy brief
Location: America All In Pavilion
Launch of the SP-GET policy brief "Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Paris-aligned Mitigation Pathways".
Speakers: Ryna Cui (University of Maryland), Elmar Kriegler (PIK), Gilberto Jannuzzi (University of Campinas), Ritu Mathur (TERI)
16:30 – 17:30 | TAFF: National roadmaps for a resilient and competitive future
Location: German Pavilion
As international momentum around TAFF continues to grow, there is increasing demand for practical exchange on how national roadmaps can support and align with domestic priorities, including energy security, economic resilience, sustainable development, and long-term competitiveness. The event aims to facilitate peer learning, identify common challenges, and explore opportunities, support needs, and avenues for international cooperation.
Speaker: Elmar Kriegler (PIK)
16:00 – 17:30 | Governing International Carbon Dioxide Removal: Insights from and next steps for the State of CDR
Location: Global alliance of universities on climate pavilion
A 1.5 hour panel session with key voices in CDR from research, policy and governance discussing the need for CDR to achieve national and international climate targets.
Speakers: Injy Johnstone, Moderator (Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition), Niklas Hagelberg (UNEP), Oliver Geden (German Institute for International and Security Affairs, SWP), Carley Reynolds (PIK)
Wednesday 11 November
11:30 – 12:30 | How science informs the Enhanced Transparency Framework and the Global Stocktake: future transformation pathways in line with net-zero targets and the Paris Agreement
Location: Special event room 6
This event is will provide an insight in the state-of-the-art scientific research on future global and national transformation pathways and new insights into transformational climate strategies and policies focused on achieving net-zero emissions in line with the Paris Agreement — including perspectives on equity and climate finance — that could inform Parties how to better align their ambition and efforts, both individually and collectively.
Speakers: Detlef van Vuuren (PBL), Elmar Kriegler (PIK), Bentje Böer (ETH Zürich), Ruta Bubniene, Moderator (UNFCCC)
Thursday 12 November
9:30 – 11:00 | 14th Annual High-Level Meeting of Caring for Climate
Location: Area C2 of the Blue Zone, Special Room 2: Likya
Jointly convened by the United Nations Global Compact, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the High-Level Meeting will bring together approximately 40 C-suite business leaders and senior representatives from government, the United Nations, finance and civil society for a focused, closed-door discussion on credible corporate climate action and implementation. This year’s discussion will examine how companies can sustain climate ambition and translate it into credible implementation amid growing political, economic and energy-related pressures, and where collective action can address shared barriers. An important aspect is how the latest climate science can inform credible business action.
Speakers: Johan Rockström (PIK), Ani Dasgupta (World Resources Institute), Sanda Ojiambo (United Nations Global Compact), Onur, Genç (BBVA), Jim Andrew (PepsiCo), Ankit Todi (Mahindra Group), Yubo Zhai (NaaS Technology Inc.), Helena Viñes Fiestas (EU Platform on Sustainable Finance), Simon Stiell (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), Eric Usher (UNEP FI)
13:30 – 14.30 | 10 New Insights in Climate Science: evidence, risks, and solutions
Location: ASU Pavilion, Blue Zone
Presentation of the 10 insights. This event will be an overview of the whole report.
Speaker: Johan Rockström (PIK)
15:00 – 16:00 | CGC: Enhancing Earth System Foresight, Monitoring, Reporting and Rapid Response
Location: ASU Pavillion
This session will focus on the need for greater awareness of, and stronger policy linkages between, Earth system science, Earth system risks and global governance efforts. Panelists will discuss how a rapid response platform could be established to translate the latest scientific understanding of the state of the Earth system into timely, actionable signals and policy directions for decision-makers. The expected audience is civil society actors and policymakers who may be interested in global governance.
Speakers: Johan Rockström (PIK), Tulio Andrade (Brazilian COP30 Team), Jule Schakenberg (Director, World's Youth for Climate Justice), Adina Popescu, CEO of Aearth
Friday 13 November
14:00 – 15:00 | Climate Policy, Trade and Distribution
Location: Evidence for Climate Action (E4CA) Pavilion
This event will showcase effective climate policies. PIK scientist Louis Steyn will be presenting his paper “The heterogeneous effects of climate policy on households: Evidence from 88 countries”.
Speakers: Louis Steyn (PIK), Elbek Shomuratov (National Center for Climate Change, Uzbekistan), Adolfo Sarmiento (Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Uruguay)
15:30 – 16.30 | Top 10 Emerging Technologies for Planetary Health: Energy Edition (launch of the WEF- Frontiers Emerging Technologies for Planetary Health- Energy Edition)
Location: EXPO Center, Blue Zone. Special Event Room 5 (SPE 5)
Seven of the nine planetary boundaries have now been breached, making the transformation of energy systems, which underpin nearly every sector of the economy, critical to restoring planetary health. At the same time, a shifting geoeconomic landscape is placing growing pressure on energy security and affordability. From new batteries made with abundant materials to building-integrated solar cells, what are the most promising emerging technologies that can reduce environmental pressures while strengthening energy security and expanding access to affordable, reliable power? This session will officially launch a new World Economic Forum report, Top 10 Emerging Technology for Planetary Health: Energy Edition, in collaboration with Frontiers.
Speakers: Sebastian Buckup tbc (WEF), Johan Rockström (PIK), Ben Caldecott, (Oxford Sustainable Finance Group), Frederick Fenter (Frontiers Media), Evelyn Wang (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Saturday 14 November
10:00 – 11:30 | The Climate Diplomats of the Future / Earth4All
Location: TED Countdown House, Anadolu Park, Serik Caddesi, Konak Mahallesi, 07112 Antalya
Climate negotiations are conducted between governments, but ambitious outcomes depend on a wider constellation of new leadership, public trust and organised support. How can we connect these sources of power with negotiators seeking greater ambition? We want to look beyond the familiar roster of State and non-State actors to emerging thought leaders, social media personalities and cultural voices reaching new audiences, as well as mayors turning public mandates into action; Indigenous leaders, progressive businesses, workers, young organisers and citizen movements building change from the ground up. This is about reinforcing government negotiators’ efforts: by countering diplomatic push back on climate ambition and connecting democratic authority with new sources of influence, public leadership, imagination, and civic power.
Speakers: Sandrine Dixon Declève (Earth4All), Youssef Nasef (UNFCCC), Adelaide Chalier (Youth Climate Leader), Sophie Lambin, Johan Rockström (PIK), Sage Lenier (Youth Climate Leader), Hindou Oumrou Ibrahim (Association of Peul Women and Autochthonous Peoples of Chad), Tzeporah Berman (Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty), Sharan Burrow (ITUC), Atossa Soltana ( Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance), Kumi Nadoo (Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative), Rich Wilson (ISWE Foundation), Prasidi Singh (UNICEF India), Ingmar Rentzhof (We Don´t Have Time)
15:20 – 16:00 | 10 NICS
Location: Business Sweden Pavillion
This session would focus on the 10 insights and what they mean for Swedish business and industry, connecting the science to competitiveness, risk, investment, and the transition.
Speaker: Johan Rockström (PIK)
Monday 16 November
15:00 – 16:00 | United By the Ocean: Advancing Friends of Ocean Action Vision 2030 - through The Ocean Race
Location: Ocean Pavillion, Blue Zone
Explore how The Ocean Race leverages its unique global sporting platform to advance ocean literacy and foster public stewardship. By bridging elite sailing, ocean science, and multi-lingual ocean education, we showcase how offshore racing fleets serve as mobile observatories collecting critical ocean-climate data and carry important ocean messaging. In alignment with the Friends of Ocean Action (FOA) Vision for 2030 and the OP Declaration 2026, this session highlights the imperative to move ocean health from the margins of environmental policy into the center of economic resilience, food and energy security, and global stability. Attendees will hear from ocean communication experts, scientists, and advocates how to turn complex research into compelling narratives that connect diverse audiences with the ocean, inspiring meaningful, scalable climate action to close the gap between ambition and implementation by 2030.
Hosted by: Richard Brisius & Lucy Hunt
Speakers: Johan Rockström (PIK), Peter Thomson (UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean), Alfredo Giron (WEF)
Tuesday 17 November
11:00 – 12:00 | Ocean Visions Panel discussion: “Arctic Tipping Points and the Triple Planetary Crisis”
Location: Finland Pavilion, Blue Zone
Sharing the latest research on climate tipping points, with a focus on Arctic tipping points, and how changes in the Arctic and marine systems could affect global climate stability. Discussion of implications for climate and biodiversity policy, approaches for strengthening resilience and preparedness, and opportunities for global cooperation. Participants will be UNFCCC negotiators, government officials, Arctic stakeholders, marine scientists, biodiversity practitioners, Indigenous representatives, civil society organizations, funders, and climate policy experts interested in resilience, governance, and tipping point risks.
Speakers: Johan Rockström (PIK) et al.
16:45 – 18:15 | Overshoot, Climate Thresholds and Tipping Points: Managing High-Impact Risks
Location: Side event Room Hattuşa
This event will highlight the risk of destabilisation or shutdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which would have massive effects in the North Atlantic region and globally. It will also highlight how AMOC interlinks and connects to other crucial earth system tipping points including its polar twin the Antarctic Overturning Circulation (AOC), the slowdown of not only interacts with AMOC, but ocean currents globally. For Iceland, main organiser of the event, this is not only an environmental challenge. It is a matter of national security, resilience and preparedness. As with pandemics, financial crises or natural hazards, governments have a responsibility to assess emerging risks, prepare for plausible adverse scenarios and strengthen societal resilience before crises materialise.
Speakers: Iceland Minister Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson, Stefan Rahmstorf (PIK), Mike Meredith, Johan Rockström (PIK), Minister Rosbach (Greenland), Minister Sari (Finland)
Wednesday 18 November
15:30 – 16:30 | EU high-level event on Climate Resilience : “Towards a More Resilient World: the EU Framework in the Context of Global Climate Action”
Location: EU Pavilion, Blue Zone
The event will offer an opportunity to reflect on how the world can move beyond fragmented and reactive responses towards more systemic, anticipatory and coordinated approaches to climate resilience, preparedness and risk management.
Speakers: Johan Rockström (PIK) et al.
Thursday 19 November
13:15 – 14:45 | Prepared for Tipping? Adaptation and decision making under deep uncertainty
Location: Side Event Room 4 - AŞIK VEYSEL
Climate policies and adaptation planning often assume gradual and predictable change. But Earth system tipping points can cause non-linear, irreversible change. Our event brings together science, policy, finance and civil society to explore preparedness and decision-making under deep uncertainty.
Speakers: Niklas Boers (PIK), Elizabeth Sellwood (UNEP), Andrew Harper (UNHCR), Rosalind Cornforth (University of Reading), Mikko Ollikainen (Adaptation Fund), Abdou Ali (WMO), Florence Kuali Iautu (Vanuatu's National Advisory Board on Climate Change and DRR), Kuat Abeshev (ClimTip)
