Next week, world leaders will convene for the COP30 climate change summit in Brazil, but notably, the United States and its top officials will not be present.
Here’s what you should know about the upcoming event.
What is COP?
COP, or Conference of the Parties, is a gathering of global leaders focused on discussing and negotiating actions against climate change.
This year’s conference marks the 30th iteration, officially kicking off on Monday. The inaugural COP took place in Berlin back in 1995.
These conferences usually feature significant speeches from leaders as well as international climate agreements. The Paris Agreement of 2015, where nations committed to limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius (or about 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), is among the most notable outcomes.
Summit in Brazil
The summit will be held in Belem, Brazil, which is known for its expansive Amazon rainforest and its status as a major global economy and emitter of greenhouse gases.
Brazil’s president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva—or “Lula,” as he’s often called—has earned a reputation as an environmental advocate, especially in contrast to his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro.
Focus on ‘implementation’ and ‘adaptation’
This particular COP is referred to as the “implementation” COP, emphasizing the shift from planning the Paris Agreement details to actually putting them into action.
COP30 President Andre Correa de Lago recently emphasized in an open letter that “adaptation ambition and action are key to advancing three priorities in Belém: (i) strengthening multilateralism, (ii) linking climate policies to daily life, and (iii) speeding up climate action.”
No “high-level” representation from the U.S.
A White House official indicated this week that the U.S. would not be sending any “high-level” representatives to the summit, mentioning that the president would engage with other world leaders on energy through different channels.
As of Friday, it remained uncertain whether a lower-level U.S. representative would attend, and a spokesperson from the Trump administration did not provide further comments.
Who’s attending?
While U.S. leaders will sit this one out, many other global leaders are expected to participate.
According to AFP news agency, notable attendees will include those from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway, Colombia, Chile, Cape Verde, and Liberia.
Additionally, China, the world’s largest emitter, will be represented by Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang.
