EDF at COP30: Schedule of events

This TED Countdown House event features EDF President Fred Krupp and journalist Akshat Rathi, author of the book, Climate Capitalism, in conversation with Countdown’s founder Lindsay Levin. Can a new mindset of building tomorrow’s economy faster and more affordably cut through and win around the world?

• Fred Krupp, President, Environmental Defense Fund
• Akshat Rathi, Author, Climate Capitalism
• Lindsay Levin, Founder, TED Countdown

Organized by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and International Rice Research Institute, this session will explore underutilized technical and financial measures for reducing methane emissions from rice systems, while highlighting their cobenefits for productivity, resilience and farmer livelihoods. It will bring together scientists, policymakers, development partners and farmers’ representatives to discuss scalable solutions for low-emission rice cultivation.

• Jennifer Chow, Senior Director, Climate-Resilient Food Systems, Environmental Defense Fund
• Martina Otto, Head of Secretariat, Climate and Clean Air Coalition
• Kenta Matsumoto, Section Chief of the International Strategy Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan
• Bjoern Ole Sander, Country Representative - Thailand and Senior Scientist for Climate Change, International Rice Research Institute

Climate change is already reshaping markets and business models. Companies and governments are under pressure to adopt adaptation strategies that reduce risk and create new opportunities. Technology is central to this shift, from advanced climate data and AI-driven risk modeling to resilient infrastructure and agri-tech innovation. Equally important are the policy frameworks, public-private partnerships and procurement practices to drive demand for adaptation solutions. This session will explore the unique roles of businesses, investors and policymakers in accelerating the climate resilience transition.

• Angela Churie Kallhauge, Executive Vice President, Impact, Environmental Defense Fund
• Mekala Krishnan, Partner, McKinsey Global Institute
• Sophia Leonora Mendelsohn, Chief Sustainability and Commercial Officer, SAP
• Vera Pinto Pereira, Executive Board Member, EDP

EDF and government partners will launch the Wildfire Action Accelerator Pledge during COP30 in Belém, Brazil, marking a milestone in global efforts to strengthen wildfire resilience across tropical countries. This high-level event will bring together forest nations, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), donors and multilateral partners to present a unified commitment to scaling solutions that address wildfires as a systemic challenge linked to climate, biodiversity and development.

• Fred Krupp, President, Environmental Defense Fund
• Gustavo Sánchez Valle, President, Red Mexicana de Organizaciones Campesinas Forestales
• More speakers to be confirmed

We are kicking off a global effort to identify and elevate solutions for the agrifood sector and climate action. This reception marks the start of a shared journey toward the 2028 Global Stocktake, uniting leaders and innovators to accelerate progress in agricultural development and methane mitigation. Together, we’ll strengthen our community, spark new partnerships and advance a more sustainable, resilient future for people and the planet.

Megafires are increasing due to climate change and other factors. This workshop, part of TED Countdown House, discusses strategies including Indigenous wisdom, advanced science and new policy approaches needed to design wildfire-resilient communities and forests.

• Mark Moroge, Vice President, Forests, Environmental Defense Fund
• Francisca Arara, Arara Indigenous Leader, Brazil
• Amy Barnes, Global Head of Energy and Power, Marsh
• Daniela Limongi, Vice Minister of Environment and Energy, Ecuador

Youth represent a vital force in advancing sustainable and climate-resilient aquatic food systems. Despite their increasing engagement, many United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change stakeholders remain unaware of the role of young fisheries and aquaculture actors in climate resilience. This event will center around an intergenerational dialogue to introduce the FAO Youth Constituency on Fisheries and Aquaculture, understand opportunities and challenges at the nexus of climate and aquatic food systems, and feature youth voices and initiatives around these issues. The session highlights youth roles in climate-resilient aquatic food systems and explores collaboration opportunities, including with climate youth groups.

• Karly Kelso, Acting Senior Director, Global Ocean Strategies, Environmental Defense Fund

Join us at this official COP30 side event spotlighting community-led forest economies as real solutions for protecting forests and advancing equitable livelihoods. Centered on shifting power from extractive systems to community agency, the session brings together Indigenous and women leaders, scientists and policy partners from the Amazon, Congo Basin and Southeast Asia. We’ll reflect on key COP outcomes, such as the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, Bioeconomy Challenge and Land Tenure Pledge, and explore how to align policy, finance, culture and standards to scale community-driven action. Expect powerful stories, data and policy insights shaping forest futures beyond 2026. Translation will be available in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French.