California Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to the COP30 Climate Summit in Antalya, Turkey, on Tuesday to address the United Nations Climate Change Conference, where he criticized President Donald Trump for declining to send a U.S. delegation to the event.
Newsom framed his attendance as a demonstration of California’s climate leadership, stating in a released statement that the state would not "back down from the climate fight" despite federal inaction. He described Trump as a "no-show" and accused the president of prioritizing "fossil fuel donors" over economic and environmental security. Newsom’s remarks emphasized California’s partnerships with international entities, including Amazonian states, on sustainable development and bioeconomy initiatives.
The governor’s trip follows a pattern of California’s executive leadership asserting state-level climate action in opposition to federal policy. In 2017, former Gov. Jerry Brown similarly condemned Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, embarking on a 10-day international tour to rally global support for climate initiatives. Brown later hosted the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco in 2018, which recommitted subnational governments to the accord’s goals.
Newsom’s attendance at COP30 comes amid broader discussions about the role of U.S. states in global climate governance. The summit, held in Brazil, has highlighted the absence of a federal delegation, creating an opening for subnational leaders to fill the void. Newsom’s office stated that California’s climate policies—including partnerships with international regions—demonstrate "results" in reducing emissions and promoting sustainable development.
In his statement, Newsom did not address potential policy conflicts between state and federal climate strategies, nor did he outline specific new initiatives announced during the trip. The governor’s office did not respond to requests for additional details on California’s international climate commitments or the scope of the partnerships discussed at the summit.
The COP30 Climate Summit continues through the week, with delegates from nearly 200 countries negotiating frameworks for global emissions reductions and climate resilience.