Donald Trump’s United States is ignoring COP30. They will not send “high-level representatives” to the annual UN climate mass that opens on November 10 in Belem, Brazil, the White House said this Saturday, November 1.
Donald Trump, who called climate change “the biggest scam in history” and mocked climate science from the UN General Assembly podium a few weeks ago, has no plans to attend.
The United States will also not send “high-level representatives to COP30,” a White House official said, explaining that “the president engages directly with world leaders on energy issues, as evidenced by historic trade agreements and peace agreements that emphasize energy partnerships.”
The climate is not an issue for Donald Trump
Upon his return to power in January, Donald Trump decided to once again withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement, as during his first term. But a year before the effective exit from the agreement is scheduled, the country remains part of it.
The Republican president seeks to go even further. Washington recently derailed a global plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by threatening retaliatory measures against countries that supported it.
And climate advocates fear that Donald Trump will seek to withdraw the United States from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which could prevent future administrations from rejoining the Paris agreement.
Local American elected officials present
If the Trump administration ignores the climate event, more than a hundred local officials, governors, mayors and other American elected officials will make the trip.
“We are coming in strong,” says Gina McCarthy, climate advisor to former US President Joe Biden and co-chair of the “America Is All In” coalition, which brings together elected officials committed to the climate cause.
“Local elected officials have the power to act for themselves, to lead climate action at home and abroad,” he added, and “we will keep the promises made to the American people and our international partners.”
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva insisted on holding the 30th annual UN climate negotiations conference (November 10-21) in the Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest, which plays a key role in the fight against climate change.
A summit of world leaders
He called in advance a summit of world leaders in Belem, scheduled for November 6 and 7. Less than sixty have confirmed their presence at this stage.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Colombian President Gustavo Petro will be present. China will be represented by its Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang.
In 2024, some 75 leaders attended COP29 in Azerbaijan, a number already lower than the previous edition in Dubai. According to Brazil, 170 delegations are accredited for the UN climate conference.
Source: BFM TV
