EU Climate Commissioner Calls US COP30 Absence Watershed Moment for Global Policy

The upcoming COP30 climate conference in Brazil faces significant challenges due to the United States' decision under President Trump not to send high-level representatives and to exit the Paris Agreement for a second time, signaling a retreat from global climate commitments. EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra described the US absence as a "watershed moment" and a "game changer" that harms international efforts, given America's status as the second-largest global emitter. Despite this, Hoekstra noted that some US state and local leaders remain engaged in climate initiatives, and the situation creates opportunities for other nations to step up their leadership. The conference aims to focus on concrete adaptation measures and carbon market progress, though concerns remain about insufficient climate targets from major emitters like China. The broader global outlook remains mixed, with research indicating that while catastrophic warming scenarios have become less likely, the world is still on track for temperatures that far exceed safe limits, requiring urgent action. Overall, the US climate policy shift under Trump complicates global cooperation but also catalyzes new partnerships and strategies among other countries.