Global Events

Using our science and public reach to engage with decision-makers around the world.

Overview of Hinze Hall with a crowd of people in the evening under Hope the blue whale

United Nations Conferences of the Parties (COPs)

We have an active presence at COPs for both climate change and biodiversity. 

UK Biodiversity Alliance

In partnership with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, we host joint events and spaces at COPs to raise the voice of nature in decision-making. This includes hosting a shared exhibition space at biodiversity COP16 and collaborating with the UK Government at climate COP28 and COP29, with an address from UK Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh.

We’re delighted to be hosting an event in the UK Pavilion at COP30 in Brazil, exploring synergies between climate and nature.

A wall with the image of a frog and text that reads "UK Biodiversity Alliance – Providing evidence to inform global action" and the logos of Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, the Zoological Society of London and the Natural History Museum. In front of the wall, a screen with a slide about the policy brief titled "Towards 30by30: Balancing nature and people".
Mary Creagh speaks to an audience as she stands with a screen behind her showing the picture of a bird and the text "UK Biodiversity Alliance – Providing evidence ti inform global action."

UK Minister for Nature Mary Creagh speaks at the event.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

We’ve collaborated with partners in several biodiversity and climate COP host countries to exhibit Wildlife Photographer of the Year images. These powerful photographs convey a sense of both urgency and hope among decision-makers and raise ambitions for policy change.

Four people sit in front of a wall with a big picture titled "A Woodland Carpet", from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. The picture is an overview of a canopy of trees, bracken and bluebells, in the south-east of Scotland. The text next to the picture indicates it was taken by Fortunato Gatto, from Italy.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year images on display in the UK Pavilion during the climate COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

People walk around a gallery looking at pictures from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year images on display at Museo La Tertulia in Cali, Colombia, during the biodiversity COP16.

COP26 in Glasgow: The Nature Bar at the New York Times Climate Hub

In 2021 we joined in a range of activities in Glasgow for climate COP26. Collaborating with Voice for Nature and the New York Times Climate Hub, the Nature Bar was a space for policymakers, environmentalists, scientists, journalists, storytellers and artists to speak on behalf of nature.

Jayda G., Phoebe Hanson, Adriana de Palma and Daphne Frias sit in front of the audience as they speak at the event.

From left to right: Jayda G., Phoebe Hanson, Adriana de Palma and Daphne Frias.

Nature photographer Chris Packham speaks in front of an audience with a projector screen behind him that reads "The Nature Bar"

Nature photographer Chris Packham speaks at the event.

British environmentalist David de Rothschild, Director of the Natural History Museum Doug Gurr and marine biologist Sylvia Earle stand in front of the audience.

British environmentalist David de Rothschild, Director of the Natural History Museum Doug Gurr and marine biologist Sylvia Earle.

COP15 in Montreal

In 2022, we collaborated with renowned ecological artist Thijs Biersteker to take a 5-metre-tall robotic plant to the heart of biodiversity COP15. The moving artwork called Econario provided a daily forecast of future biodiversity scenarios based on decisions taken during the conference. The plant either flourished and grew to its full height, signalling healthy biodiversity levels, or shrank and wilted, indicating negative impacts on biodiversity outcomes.

The robotic plant was fed datasets from the Biodiversity Intactness Index – an indicator developed by our scientists as a measure of how much of a region’s natural biodiversity still persists.

View of the artwork 'Econario'.

'Econario' 2022 by Thijs Biersteker in collaboration with the Natural History Museum, London. Image by the artist.

Our Research Leader Professor Andy Purvis and our Head of International Partnerships Camilla Tham pose in front of the COP 15 sign.

Andy Purvins speaks in front of a group of people who gather around him, as the artwork 'Econario' stands behind him.

Our Research Leader Professor Andy Purvis speaking to a group of people with the artist Thijs Biersteker (far left).

Events in South Kensington

In addition to our work at COPs, our activity at our site in South Kensington amplifies our call for action on the planetary emergency and widens the audience that can participate in this work.

¡Vamos a Colombia! On the Road to Cali

In 2024, we collaborated with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Colombian Embassy to put on ¡Vamos a Colombia! On the Road to Cali.

This event, held before biodiversity COP16, celebrated UK and Colombian scientific, cultural and political leadership on biodiversity. Featuring ministerial addresses from the UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Colombian Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Brazilian Ambassador to the UK, the event brought together more than 300 leaders across sectors.

Former UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed speaks at the event.

Overview of Hintze Hall as a crowd gathers under Hope the Blue Whale at the event.

Director of the Natural History Museum, Doug Gurr (far-right), with senior representatives from WWF-UK, the UK Government and the Colombian Government.

Countdown to COP30: Mobilising Action for Climate and Nature

In 2025, we partnered with the UK Government to host Countdown to COP30: Mobilising Action for Climate and Nature. Attended by His Majesty the King and HRH the Prince of Wales, the event brought together more than 300 UK and global changemakers – from schoolchildren and activists to business leaders and ambassadors – to raise ambitions on the road to climate COP30 in Brazil.

HRH the Prince of Wales claps as he talks to his father His Majesty the King during the event. © mirandaparry.com

Overview of Hintze Hall as a crowd gathers under Hope the Blue Whale at the event.

From right to left: Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh; Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband; Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds; Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy; and Minister for Climate, Katie White. © mirandaparry.com

The event featured a joint ministerial address from the Deputy Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. This was complemented by content from 12 organisations, ranging from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Zoological Society of London to WWF-UK and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. All of which highlighted the innovations and solutions offered by nature for the climate crisis and shared a universal message of hope.

Voices for Change: A Night of Climate Action

On 17 November 2025, we ran Voices for Change: A Night of Climate Action.

Timed to coincide with COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the event aimed to demystify COP for young people. It helped them feel informed, motivated and equipped to take action on the climate crisis, as well as connect them with ongoing issues, creative solutions and communities driving change. We brought together our scientists and PhD students with changemakers to deliver an evening of activities featuring a live link-up to COP30, lively discussions, performances, science stations, hands-on activities and tours. The event brought visitors together to share ideas, connect and take collective action on the climate crisis.

Samia Dumbuya sits in front of an audience at our Attenborough Studio.
UK Youth Delegate for COP29 Samia Dumbuya (right) speaks at the event.
A woman in traditional indian garments demonstrates dance moves surrounded by visitors.

Visitors exploring their relationship with nature through Indian dance.

Katie Collins speaks behind a table as a visitor looks through a microscope.

Our Senior Curator Katie Collins speaking at the science station.

Other global moments

London Climate Action Week

Our Director of Policy and Partnerships Emma Woods speaks to His Majesty the King in front of pictures from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

From 21 to 29 June 2025, we hosted and attended multiple events and activities across London as part of London Climate Action Week. This included showcasing a selection of Wildlife Photographer of the Year images at a DEFRA event, attended by His Majesty the King, foreign governments, Indigenous leaders, senior policymakers and leaders from business and finance. We also hosted an after-hours programme of free activities involving scientists, artists and community voices passionate about creating positive change in the climate emergency.

New York Climate Week

Three people pose in front of a sign that reads "Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures – First Status Report".
Four people pose in front of a screen with the words "Cecil" and "Arbonics".

From 21 to 28 September 2025, we attended New York Climate Week to explore opportunities to collaborate and engage with emerging communities working with nature, data and finance.

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