The sustainability landscape is evolving fast and 2025 has already proved to be a pivotal year. So far, we’ve seen the US pull out of the Paris Agreement (again), countries submitting new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), $200 billion committed to protecting biodiversity at COP16, major revisions to the EU’s sustainability reporting and now global trade disputes.
From multilateral policy discussions to new reporting frameworks, several high-impact moments have shaped (and will continue to shape) how businesses, governments, and communities respond to environmental and social challenges.
Understanding these milestones is essential for anyone working in sustainability communications, strategic communications, or simply trying to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to communicating complex sustainability topics.
Here are five of the most important sustainability policy moments this year and why.
1. UN Oceans Conference – Nice, France (9-13 June 2025)
Oceans cover 70% of our planet and they’re in serious trouble. The upcoming UN Ocean Conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, will tackle everything from plastic pollution and deep-sea mining to the economics of protecting marine ecosystems.
Keep an eye on the “Nice Ocean Action Plan” a new international declaration with concrete steps and voluntary commitments to boost ocean health. With growing focus on the blue economy and coastal resilience, this is more than just a marine issue, it’s about climate, biodiversity, and global food security.
2. Plastics Treaty Negotiations – Geneva, Switzerland (5-14 August 2025)
With global plastic recycling rates stuck at under 10 per cent, it’s clear we can’t recycle our way out of the problem. The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (known as INC-5.2) is taking place this year to develop an international legally binding target on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.
The last round of talks in Korea stalled when oil-producing countries refused to budge on production limits. But momentum is building around upstream solutions such as production caps, bans on certain types of plastic, and accountability across the value chain. For industries like FMCG, retail, packaging, and logistics, this is a space to watch closely.
3. UN General Assembly and 5 Year Countdown to the SDGs – New York, USA (September 2025)
September 2025 marks five years to go before the 2030 deadline for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Expect a surge in narrative around urgency, accountability, and progress (or lack thereof). Tied closely with Climate Week NYC (21-28 September), this moment offers a powerful platform for businesses to show how they’re aligning with global goals or rethinking their approach. Sustainability communicators should prepare for increased scrutiny, but also opportunity to lead with purpose.
4. COP30 – Belém, Brazil (10-21 November 2025)
Ten years since the Paris Agreement and for the first time ever a COP in the heart of the Amazon. Symbolically and strategically, COP30 matters.
This one’s expected to focus heavily on nature-based solutions, Indigenous leadership, and climate finance. Enhanced NDCs are due, and the pressure will be on countries and companies to show real progress toward net zero.
After two years of COPs hosted in oil-rich nations, all eyes are on Brazil to set a new tone. For communicators, this is a moment that demands authenticity, clarity, and meaningful alignment with climate goals. This year’s COP agenda is set to focus on enhancing climate targets, increasing climate finance, empowering Indigenous leadership, tackling deforestation, and strengthening global cooperation to accelerate progress toward the 1.5°C goal.
5. CSRD and the EU Omnibus Directive Come Into Force
While technically initiated earlier, the full implications of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the EU Omnibus Directive are landing in 2025, as many large companies begin to report under the new rules. This marks a major evolution in communicating complex sustainability topics where consistency, traceability, and audit-ready data become central to corporate narrative. This is where strategic communications meet compliance and where clarity and accuracy are essential.
From accountability frameworks to climate diplomacy, this year’s key sustainability moments highlight a shared truth: the bar is rising. Whether you’re in policy, reporting, or sustainability communications, staying informed isn’t optional — it’s essential.
As we move through 2025, staying adaptable is key. The challenge for communicators will be not just tracking these developments, but translating them into clear, compelling, and actionable stories, ones that resonate with audiences, elevate transparency, and ultimately drive progress.
More updates are inevitable. And if 2025 has shown us anything so far, it’s that sustainability should be at the core of business strategy, rather than treating it as a compliance or a communication requirement. What’s at stake is nothing less than the credibility and impact of our collective efforts.
Planning on stepping up your advocacy and communications around key sustainability policy moments this year? Talk to us about cutting through the complexity, engaging the right people and elevating the voices of those most affected info@forster.co.uk