Green Daily

Gavin Newsom Brings Defiant Note to COP30 Talks

California Governor Gavin Newsom delivers a speech at COP30.
Photographer: Mauro Pimentel/AFP

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Jennifer A Dlouhy, Vanessa Dezem, John Ainger, and Akshat Rathi

November 12, 2025 at 11:14 AM UTC

Leave it to California’s governor to bring a little Hollywood energy to the Amazon. Gavin Newsom arrived in Belém as a pointed rebuke to US President Donald Trump’s decision not to send an official US delegation.

Today’s newsletter lays out what Newsom told delegates. Plus, a scoop: China has declined to chip in to Brazil’s forest fund, dealing a blow to what was supposed to be one of COP30’s flagship initiatives. But don’t be fooled by this squabble, the two countries aredeeply entwined on climate — and on oil drilling.