ÄIO Heads to COP30

From Estonia to Brazil, from Science to Sustainability

In just a few weeks, the world will gather in Belém, Brazil, for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP30. With over 190 countries, thousands of delegates, and voices from governments, NGOs, indigenous communities, researchers, and innovators, COP has become the largest and most influential forum on the planet for climate action.

Nemailla Bonturi, Phd, CEO and co-founder of ÄIO attending COP30

What is COP?

Short for “Conference of the Parties,” COP was established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992. Since the first meeting in Berlin in 1995, COP has convened annually to assess global progress in limiting greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate change, and agreeing on binding international commitments. From the Paris Agreement in 2015 (COP21) to Glasgow’s push for net-zero targets (COP26), these gatherings shape the policies and paths nations take toward a sustainable future.

Why is COP30 so important?

COP30 will be held in Belém, Brazil, in the heart of the Amazon – a region that represents both the urgency of the climate crisis and the power of natural ecosystems. The conference will focus on implementing the Global Stocktake, a critical review of how well countries are delivering on their climate pledges. For the first time in COP history, the event will take place in the Amazon, sending a powerful signal that protecting biodiversity and supporting regenerative, circular models are not side issues – they are at the core of climate action.

Why is ÄIO going?

ÄIO is proud to be part of the Estonian business delegation to COP30. We are a biotech company based in Tallinn, Estonia, with deep roots in Brazil, and a global mission. Our technology upcycles agricultural, forestry, and food industry side-streams into microbial oils and fats through fermentation. These ingredients serve as sustainable alternatives to palm oil, coconut oil, and animal fats in cosmetics, food, and household products.

In other words: we turn waste into value, reduce reliance on deforestation-linked supply chains, and offer a scalable path to future-proof ingredients for brands worldwide.

We believe that climate-smart biotechnology is not a niche solution, it is a central pillar in decarbonising food and materials systems. Our participation in COP30 is not just symbolic. It is strategic.

Main fields where sustainably made ÄIO fats and oils are used

Who represents ÄIO?

Representing us in Brazil is Nemailla Bonturi, ÄIO’s co-founder and CEO. Originally from Brazil, Nemailla is a scientist, PhD holder, and one of the few female founders in deep-tech fermentation globally. She has spent the last eight years in Estonia building ÄIO from the lab bench up, combining technical excellence with a vision for climate-positive innovation.

With her roots in Brazil and her company’s base in Estonia, Nemailla brings a bridge between continents, systems, and solutions. Her participation at COP30 reinforces ÄIO’s belief that climate leadership must be inclusive, science-based, and locally relevant yet globally scalable.

ÄIO is actively looking to:

• Partner with companies interested in testing our next-gen fats and oils
• Collaborate with brands ready to reduce their carbon footprint
• Connect with investors ahead of our Seed A investment round in Q3 2026

If you’re attending COP30 and care about circular bioeconomy, novel food systems, or just want to meet one of the world’s most inspiring science-led entrepreneurs, get in touch. We’d love to connect.

Let’s meet in Belém!