The COP30 global climate talks are set to kick off in Brazil this week, with a limited United States presence — and only a fraction of the congressional lawmakers who have become staples at the conference.
The ongoing government shutdown has stymied lawmakers’ plans to head to the talks in Belém, leaving just a handful of Democratic House members as the likely federal elected presence at the gathering. World leaders started making remarks last week ahead of the conference’s formal launch.
Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah), who has helped organize delegations to multiple COPs, will not be attending. Environment and Public Works ranking member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), a longtime COP participant, was also unsure Friday if he would be able to attend.
The lone group tentatively pushing forward with their plans is a House Democratic delegation led by the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition.
