His Majesty, The King, His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales and Dr Doug Gurr © mirandaparry.com
The event was hosted by the Natural History Museum’s Director Dr Doug Gurr, the Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, Secretary of State for Energy Security & Net Zero Ed Miliband, and Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emma Reynolds.
Earlier this evening, His Majesty, The King and His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales attended the Countdown to COP30: mobilising action for climate and nature event in partnership with His Majesty’s Government and the Natural History Museum at the Museum’s iconic South Kensington building
The evening reception brought together UK changemakers tackling climate change and nature loss and ambassadors from across the globe including the Brazilian Ambassador to the UK, Antonio de Aguiar Patriota and Brazil’s Health Minister, Alexandre Padilha, to focus attention on and galvanise action for the planet ahead of the critical summit
The event was hosted by the Natural History Museum’s Director Dr Doug Gurr, the Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, Secretary of State for Energy Security & Net Zero Ed Miliband, and Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emma Reynolds
With six weeks to go until the world gathers in Belém, Brazil, to address global climate action, the Natural History Museum and UK Government hosted an event this evening (9 October 2025) bringing together UK changemakers who are leading on climate and nature action at home and internationally.
Representatives attended from the fields of finance, business, science, policy, advocacy and education. Ambassadors from across the globe attended, including the Brazilian Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Antonio de Aguiar Patriota and Brazil’s Health Minister, Alexandre Padilha as well as former UK Prime Minister Baroness Theresa May.
On the day of the Countdown to COP30 event at the Natural History Museum, the UK Government announced its International Climate Finance has helped over 137 million people adapt to climate change and has reduced or avoided 145 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, Secretary of State for Energy Security & Net Zero Ed Miliband and Secretary of State for Environment Emma Reynolds jointly addressed the event. They spoke about the need to accelerate action on the interlinked nature and climate crisis.
Countdown to COP30 event hosted by the Natural History Museum © mirandaparry.com
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “The incredible coalition assembled at this event speaks to the fact that in their workplaces, in their schools, in their communities, in their places of worship, people up and down Britain know that tackling the climate and nature crisis is the right thing to do for today’s generations and future generations.
“Today, in the face of global challenges, I see people and countries across the world that want to stand up for multilateralism – cooperation with others to protect the one planet we have.
“Britain will be working with those other countries at COP30 and our friends from Brazil to push for greater global action on issues from clean energy and finance to forests and adaptation. Together let’s carry Britain’s call for climate action and leadership to Belem and beyond it.”
The arrival of The King and The Prince of Wales at the Museum coincided with the announcement that The Prince of Wales will be attending COP30 in Brazil next month.
Natural History Museum Director Dr Doug Gurr said: “We need everyone in society to get on board to tackle the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change. The collective commitment to act for the planet was palpable tonight - from the support of His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the leadership of the UK Government, to the school students who are striving to transform their school grounds, making them a haven for wildlife.”
Secretary of State for Energy Security & Net Zero Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emma Reynolds and The Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy © mirandaparry.com
The event showcased some of the inspirational and innovative solutions to climate change and nature loss that have been developed in the UK. Attendees visited the Museum’s Fixing Our Broken Planet gallery and met some of the Museum’s 400 scientists who are all working to find solutions to the planetary emergency. Exclusive images, captured in Brazil, from this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition were on display and some of the awarded photographers were among the guests.
There were also special displays and interactive activities by influential environmental NGOs, The Woodland Trust and the World Wildlife Fund. Leading public-facing, science-driven institutions Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the Zoological Society of London (who together with the Natural History Museum make up the UK Biodiversity Alliance) highlighted their impact and expertise in biodiversity loss research.
Government funded projects were showcased: the National Education Nature Park – a trailblazing free education and science research programme commissioned and funded by the Department for Education, led by the NHM working with the RHS, and the UKRI-funded Amazon+10 Initiative which is supporting research and technological development in Brazilion Legal Amazonia.
The British Council’s UK/Brazil Season was represented as well as the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the UK Government’s statutory body for nature conservation, while the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology showcased their research on Amazonia wildfires and pollinator monitoring.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
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About The Natural History Museum, London
The Natural History Museum is a world-leading scientific research centre and one of the world’s most visited museums. Our mission is to create advocates for the planet – people who act for nature.
Our 400 scientists are finding solutions to the planetary emergency - from reversing biodiversity loss to resourcing the green economy.
We are seeking an additional £150 million to transform our South Kensington building: placing our groundbreaking research at its heart, revitalising four existing galleries, opening two new magnificent galleries and delighting 1 million more visitors a year with the wonders of the natural world.