Fusion at United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP30
As the international climate community convened in Belém, Brazil for the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), the Fusion Industry Association was on the ground, representing the global fusion industry. FIA Director of External Affairs, Caroline Anderson, joined programming throughout the first week of COP30 to highlight the rapid progress toward commercialization and discuss fusion’s role in the world’s long-term clean energy strategy.
Throughout the week, Caroline participated in fusion programming across the COP30 campus. She opened with an overview of the global fusion industry and the commercial timelines that are shaping the pace of deployment, and then joined the IAEA’s panel, “Fusion Energy as a Clean Energy Solution,” moderated by Laban Coblentz, Head of ITER Communications. Fellow panelists included Mikhail Chudakov, IAEA Deputy Director General, Rebecca Tremain, UK Director of the Clean Air Task Force, and Olov Hemström, Head of Strategic Projects of Business Sweden – leaders who underscored the growing international consensus that fusion must be part of the global energy portfolio. Together, they emphasized the importance of international cooperation, regulatory clarity, and industry-government alignment to bring fusion to market as quickly as possible.
Building on that momentum, Caroline also spoke at a panel hosted at the Pavilion of Finland: “Is Fusion the Game Changer We’ve Been Waiting For?” Moderated by Mårten Löfberg, Novatron Fusion Group, Caroline was joined by Peter Roos, CEO of Novatron Fusion Group, Lea Rankinen, Head of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs of St1 Nordic, and Rebecca Tremain at the Clean Air Task Force. The conversation explored fusion’s potential to bridge the gap between climate ambition and reality. The panel tackled the surge of private-sector investment, recent national strategies and regulatory progress across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, and the fast-intensifying global race to deployment.
The message from Belém was clear: the world is searching for a scalable, reliable, and emissions-free energy source that can meet global demand – and fusion is emerging as a credible answer. With more than $10.5 billion in investment driving the industry forward and new public-private partnerships accelerating progress, fusion is shifting from research to a rapidly growing industrial sector.
COP30 underscored that climate goals will require a true energy breakthrough. With sustained support, smart policy, and continued innovation, fusion is positioning itself to deliver the clean, safe, and abundant energy needed.
