United States to Skip High-Level Representation at COP30 Climate Talks in Brazil

US Confirms Absence from Key Climate Summit

The White House announced on November 1, 2025, that the United States will not dispatch any top officials or high-level representatives to the upcoming COP30 climate talks in Belém, Brazil. The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference is scheduled to take place from November 10 to 21, 2025, with a Heads of State Summit planned for November 6 and 7.

This decision marks a significant departure from decades of bipartisan tradition, where the U.S. has typically sent delegations to UN climate summits, even during periods of varying engagement.

Trump Administration's Stance on Climate and Energy

The White House indicated that the absence aligns with President Donald Trump's administration's overarching policy to prioritize the boosting of fossil fuels and its skepticism regarding multilateral climate action. A White House official stated that President Trump has already made his administration's views clear, referencing his speech at last month's United Nations General Assembly where he reportedly called climate change the 'greatest con job' and criticized climate policies for 'costing countries fortunes'.

Key aspects of the Trump administration's environmental and energy policy include:

• A focus on achieving energy independence through the increased use of fossil fuels.
• The rollback of numerous environmental regulations.
• A second withdrawal of the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, set to take effect in January 2026.
• The closure of the State Department's Office of Global Change and the elimination of the climate envoy position.
• Direct engagement with global leaders on energy issues, emphasizing 'historic trade deals and peace deals' with a focus on energy partnerships.

Subnational Engagement Amidst Federal Absence

Despite the federal government's decision, over 100 U.S. state and local leaders, including governors and mayors, are expected to attend COP30. These subnational representatives aim to demonstrate continued commitment to climate action, representing a substantial portion of the U.S. population, economy, and emissions. However, reports indicate that the U.S. government will not provide embassy support for these delegations, a courtesy typically extended.

International Implications and COP30's Agenda

The absence of high-level U.S. representation is viewed by some as a significant development in international climate diplomacy, potentially raising questions about the future effectiveness of global climate negotiations. Some analysts have suggested that if the U.S. presence were to 'scupper a deal,' its absence might be preferable.

COP30, hosted by Brazil in the Amazonian city of Belém, aims to address critical climate issues, including discussions on priority actions to tackle climate change, efforts to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C, and the presentation of new national action plans (NDCs). Brazil also intends to launch the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) during the conference.