Overview
- U.N. organizers said the United States sent no official delegation to COP30, joining Afghanistan, Myanmar and San Marino as the only absentees.
- Gavin Newsom, the highest-profile U.S. figure at the summit, blasted President Trump’s approach as “doubling down on stupid” and said a future Democratic administration would rejoin the Paris Agreement.
- Casting climate action as an economic race with China, Newsom touted California’s progress, saying the state is roughly two-thirds powered by renewables and has operated on 100% clean energy for portions of most days this year.
- The White House derided Newsom’s trip, with spokesperson Taylor Rogers calling his agenda a “Green New Scam” and pointing to California’s high energy prices.
- Analysis cited at COP30 from the University of Maryland said aggressive state and city action could cut U.S. emissions by well over 50% by 2035 if paired with a future climate-friendly president, though the lack of federal participation and rolled-back incentives limits negotiating clout and reach.