The U.S. is maintaining a presence at COP30, despite the Trump administration declining to send an official delegation to this year's climate conference in Brazil.

The planet’s biggest climate conference has kicked off with representatives from more than 190 countries descending on the Brazilian city of Belém. Here’s what to expect

As global leaders convene in Belém, Brazil, for the United Nations' 30th Climate Change Conference (COP30), California Governor Gavin Newsom has emerged as the highest-profile American presence amid the Trump administration’s decision not to send a U.S. delegation.

The conference is being led by COP30 president André Corrêa do Lago, Brazil’s vice minister for climate, energy and environment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Among those scheduled to attend are government leaders and ministers, diplomats, U.N. representatives, scientists, business leaders and non-governmental organizations across the globe.

Critics say the U.S. withdrawal cedes valuable ground as China, the world's top greenhouse gas emitter, rapidly expands its renewable and EV industries.

A top UN climate official demanded Brazilian authorities immediately develop a plan for addressing security lapses, soaring temperatures, flooding and other poor conditions at the COP30 conference in the city of Belém.

A 10-minute boat ride from Belem, where the world’s largest annual climate conference COP30 is under way, Combu Island is slowly crumbling from the attention of its well-heeled visitors. In recent years,

Thousands of demonstrators marched in Belem, Brazil, at the halfway point of United Nations climate talks to demand progress from negotiators on the problem of climate change — among other causes.

China's transformation from a quiet presence at the COP summits to a more central player seeking the world's attention reflects a shift in the fight against climate change since US President Donald Trump's return to office.