United States not sending high-ranking officials to COP30

(Patria) - The United States will not send any high-ranking officials to the COP30 climate talks in Brazil later this month, a White House official said on Saturday, as President Donald Trump is instead working to boost fossil fuel consumption, AFP reported.

Trump, who withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement upon returning to the White House in January, was not expected to attend the leaders' summit ahead of the annual United Nations climate conference in Belem. But now it seems he will not send top negotiators to the talks either, which will be held from November 10 to 21.

"The US is not sending any high-ranking representatives to COP30," a White House official said on condition of anonymity.

"The President is directly engaging with leaders around the world on energy issues, as you can see from historic trade and peace agreements that all have a significant focus on energy partnerships."

Brazil announced on Friday that fewer than sixty world leaders have confirmed they will attend the climate summit on November 6 and 7, which is being held separately this year to facilitate the organization of the gatherings.

The leaders of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway, Colombia, Chile, Cape Verde, and Liberia will attend, their governments confirmed to AFP.

China announced that Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang will represent President Xi Jinping.

Trump withdrew from the Paris Agreement in his first term, and his administration has gone further this time, using its influence to promote the use of fossil fuels globally. This includes, for example, threatening countries with retaliation if they agree to the UN International Maritime Organization's carbon pricing system, effectively limiting its application.

Climate advocates fear that the administration could try to withdraw from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change – the treaty that underpins the Paris Agreement.

This could prevent future administrations from rejoining the agreement, but it is unclear whether the executive branch has the legal authority to withdraw from a treaty ratified by the Senate.

Lower-level participation

While the Trump administration appears to be ignoring the summit, more than a hundred U.S. state and local leaders, including governors and mayors, are still expected to join the talks.

"We are showing up in full force," Gina McCarthy, co-chair of the "America Is All In" coalition, told reporters on Thursday.

McCarthy previously headed the Environmental Protection Agency under former President Barack Obama and was a climate advisor to Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden.

She said the group going to Brazil represents "two-thirds of the U.S. population and three-quarters of the U.S. GDP, and more than fifty percent of U.S. emissions."

"We will keep the promises we made to the American people and our international colleagues," she said.

"Local leaders here have the authority to act on their own behalf, to take climate action at home and abroad."

A total of 170 delegations are accredited for the main COP30 conference, which is taking place amid global political turmoil that many fear will overshadow the climate crisis.