Client: various projects

Projects: Strategic communication consulting, event production, moderation, audiovisual content, and institutional coverage of various organisations at COPs

Strategic communication and audiovisual production at Climate Summits (COP – Conferences of the Parties)

At 10 Billion Solutions, we believe that climate action is only possible if it is communicated effectively, strategically and empathetically. That is why we have been covering and supporting all UN Climate Change Conferences, or COPs, for the past five years. Since 2020, when we launched 10 Billion Solutions, we have led communications activities at COP26 in Glasgow (United Kingdom), COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt), COP28 in Dubai (UAE) and COP29 in Baku (Azerbaijan), and we are already preparing for the next one: COP30 in Belém, Brazil.

Before, during and after the COPs, we provide communication services to partners from international organisations and coalitions, companies and civil society to amplify their voices and generate real impact from within the world’s most important climate negotiations.

Challenges when working within the COPs

The Conferences of the Parties (COP) are highly complex and demanding events. They take place in multilateral contexts where political negotiations, parallel events, press conferences, institutional launches and civil society actions all occur simultaneously. The agendas are dense, the pavilions are constantly on the move and the public’s attention is fragmented. 

In this environment, the main challenge for any communication strategy is to gain relevance without losing focus, knowing how to adapt to the unexpected, reacting quickly and maintaining consistency in messages. 

Identifying the right communication opportunities (both within the official process and in informal spaces) requires experience, strategic vision and a deep understanding of the dynamics of COPs. It is not just a matter of reporting what is happening, but of translating it into clear, accessible messages that have an impact on key audiences, both inside and outside the physical space of the conference. 

In addition, one has to compete with hundreds of other voices, organisations and actors who are also seeking to position their agendas. That is why maximising every second of attention, choosing the right formats and knowing when to intervene is as crucial as having good content.

Comprehensive solutions for communicating climate action

We have been providing comprehensive communication services for five years, combining strategy, execution and creativity for our clients. Our approach has focused on several key pillars:

1. Strategic communication advice: messages that position and endure
2. Moderation of high-level events
3.  Event production and moderation of side events
4. Generation of high-quality audiovisual content
5. Development of our own communication and information materials and collaborations

Strategic communication advice: messages that position and endure

Before the hustle and bustle of the COP, we work with our partners to understand and align their vision and objectives with the best narratives and communication opportunities. Because communicating in these spaces is not just a matter of coverage: it is a matter of strategic focus.

Our advice begins months before the event. We help our clients understand what the COP is in terms of communication and what challenges and opportunities these unique events present. We help them define their narrative, identify priority messages and build a communication plan to guide their actions inside and outside the COP.

At COP28 in Dubai, for example, we accompanied the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) in a strategic advisory process.

Our strategic advice helps organisations generate visibility and impact in an environment as saturated as the Climate Summits. Our experience allows us to identify communication opportunities within the official process, adapt to the pace of negotiations and amplify the voices that need to be heard.

Moderation of high-level events

Conceptualisation and moderation of live events with global leaders in high-visibility contexts.

Moderating at a COP is not simply about giving people the floor. It is about building a narrative in real time, connecting critical points on the global climate agenda and maintaining the attention and respect of demanding international audiences.

In addition to facilitating dialogue, we take care to set the right tone, inclusivity and balance between voices, with a special focus on gender representation, geographical diversity and intergenerational perspectives.

For us, moderating is facilitating change and in spaces such as COPs, every word counts.

See this other case study.

Event production and moderation of side events

We have designed, produced and moderated side events, round tables, interviews and panels in the official rooms of parallel events at the United Nations and in pavilions of delegations from regions and countries such as the European Union, Union for the Mediterranean, France and Spain; and in sectoral and thematic pavilions such as the Buildings and Cooling Pavilion, among others. Some examples:

• Our own events and those of our partners in the Spanish Pavilion, and others, on various topics
• Organisation and support for partner events such as Global Mobility Call, promoting sustainable mobility as a key vector: see event.

Generation of high-quality audiovisual content

At each COP, we have produced high-quality audiovisual material: photography, video and multimedia content adapted to corporate channels, social media, the press and institutional presentations. Some notable examples

• Since 2021, we have provided comprehensive video and photography support to the Buildings and Cooling Pavilion, and in 2024 we also provided services to the GCCA’s Concrete Pavilion.
• Since 2021, we have been supporting the events of the Global Centre on Adaptation by producing photo and video reports, including highlight videos and interviews.
• We produced high-quality audiovisual content for Iberdrola at COP28 in Dubai: see case study.

Video Highlights from the COP29 Buildings & Cooling Pavilion produced by 10 Billion Solutions:

Development of our own communication and information materials and collaborations

Mariana Castaño Cano, founder of 10 Billion Solutions, has extensive experience in COPs, having been part of the UNFCCC at COP20 in Lima (Peru), COP21 in Paris (France), COP22 in Marrakech (Morocco), COP23 in Bonn (Germany), COP24 in Katowice (Poland) and COP25 in Madrid (Spain).

In addition to working for our clients and partners, at 10 Billion Solutions we write our own articles and editorials, which we distribute through our channels, such as the news section of our website.

Mariana has also collaborated with the media to report on the latest developments on the ground. She has been interviewed by various international media outlets, including Radio France Internationale (minute 10:38), Radio Nacional de España, RTVE and Radio COPE, sharing key insights on the negotiations.

We also collaborate with organisations such as Comunidad por el Clima, sharing knowledge and synergies around the negotiations and their outcomes.

These actions have enabled us to position strategic messages and translate the complexity of the negotiations for a wide audience.

Key results of our participation in the COPs

COP30 in Brazil: purposeful communication from the heart of the Amazon

The upcoming UN Climate Change Conference in Belém (COP30) will mark a key moment to rethink our relationship with nature, people, territories and the economy. 10 Billion Solutions will support COP30 with renewed commitment to contribute to the best possible outcome, collaborate and put our tools at the service of those working for a more just and sustainable future.

Communicating climate action is not just about telling people what is happening, but about amplifying the voices that drive change.