MECS at COP30: Championing electric cooking as part of our commitment to achieving universal energy access

In the run up to the 30th UN Climate Conference (COP30), taking place from 10-21 November 2025 in Belém, Brazil, we are excited to announce that Professor Ed Brown, the Research Director of the UKAid funded Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) Program, will be speaking at various events at the conference, including a high-level event entitled “Accelerating Clean Cooking through Renewable Energy – Cooking for a Decarbonised Future” as part of the Brazilian government’s main programme.

As in previous COPs, MECS will continue to champion electric cooking as part of our commitment to achieving universal access to energy. This year also presents a crucial opportunity for MECS to highlight the importance and urgency of accelerating the transition from traditional fuels to clean, electric cooking, particularly within institutional settings and schools across the global south.

Ahead of his trip to attend COP30, Professor Ed Brown reflected on the significance of this gathering in advancing international climate efforts:

I don’t think that I’ve ever felt this under-prepared for a COP (this is my 4th time attending). The programme of events is still only just emerging, and I would imagine that everyone is aware of the controversies surrounding the cost of accommodation and the impacts of event preparations within the local area. Nevertheless, I also don’t think that there has ever been a more important COP. The whole COP process is clearly imperfect, but we can only maintain the momentum towards decisive action on climate within the context of international discussion and action and this is all we have. In a context where global geopolitics is emboldening climate scepticism and misinformation, we have to make this work.

We would like to share the list of events where Professor Ed Brown will be speaking at COP30, please note that we will update the list as we receive more up-to-date information on the events, so please keep checking this page!