Gavin Newsom Touts California Climate Leadership at COP30/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ California Governor Gavin Newsom pitched his state as a “reliable partner” on climate action during the COP30 summit in Brazil, criticizing the U.S. federal government’s retreat from climate commitments. He praised California’s leadership in renewable energy and green technology and warned that China is rapidly outpacing the U.S. in the clean energy race.
Newsom Promotes California Climate Role at COP30: Global Green Push Amid U.S. Retreat
- Newsom highlights California’s climate leadership as federal policy stalls
- Meets with international and subnational leaders at UN summit
- Criticizes Trump for turning U.S. into a “petro state”
- Praises California’s clean energy job market and innovation
- Warns of U.S. economic decline if green tech is ignored
Gavin Newsom Touts California Climate Leadership at COP30
Deep Look
At the COP30 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belem, Brazil, California Governor Gavin Newsom made a bold pitch: despite inaction from the federal government, California remains a “reliable partner” in the global fight against climate change.
Newsom, who has openly clashed with President Donald Trump over environmental and economic policy, used his international platform to position California as a global climate leader. In meetings with world leaders and investors, he argued that the U.S. is ceding ground in green technology and innovation — and that California is working to fill the leadership vacuum.
“A Vacuum of Leadership”
Speaking Monday in São Paulo at an investor summit, Newsom made it clear that his presence at COP30 was driven by frustration with the lack of federal engagement.
“The reason I’m here is in the absence of leadership coming from the United States,” he said. “This vacuum, it’s rather jaw-dropping.”
He emphasized that while California is just one of 50 states, its economy — the fourth-largest in the world — gives it significant power to influence global markets and climate trends. From policy to clean energy infrastructure, Newsom said California is setting the standard.
Newsom tells AP the 8 senators who struck shutdown deal aren’t alarmed enough about Trump
Newsom said Tuesday he’s stunned by eight senators’ decision to break with Democrats and end the government shutdown and warned they’re not alarmed enough about President Donald Trump’s political norm-shattering.
“I’m not coming in to punch anybody in the face, but I’m not pleased that, in the face of this invasive species that is Donald Trump, who’s completely changed the rules of the game, that we’re still playing by the old rules of the game,” Newsom told The Associated Press in an interview at the COP30 UN Climate Conference in Brazil. “And in my core, I’m stunned.”
As news of potential compromise neared ahead of a procedural Sunday night vote to advance the overall funding legislation, Newsom’s press office wrote on X, “Pathetic. This isn’t a deal. It’s a surrender.
Don’t bend the knee!” After the same eight senators — seven Democrats and independent Sen. Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with Democrats — joined with Republicans in that procedural vote, he called their conciliation “capitulation and a betrayal of working Americans.”
“I’m really more alarmed than it appears the eight members of my party are in the United States Senate,” Newsom said. “I’m much more alarmed about the future of our country and the world we’re trying to build than they are.”
Touting Green Credentials
California has long been on the frontlines of environmental policy, and Newsom was eager to showcase the results. He highlighted that the state has seven times as many renewable energy jobs as fossil fuel jobs and reminded audiences that electric vehicle giant Tesla was founded in California.
In contrast, he criticized the federal government’s retreat from environmental leadership. “China gets it,” Newsom said. “The United States is toast competitively if we don’t wake up.”
He pointed to China’s dominance in renewable manufacturing, battery production, and supply chain development, warning that American companies like General Motors are falling behind by “trying to recreate the 19th century.” GM recently announced plans to slow EV production — a move Newsom sees as symbolic of a broader regression.
U.S. Absence at COP30 and Climate Denial
The United States’ absence at COP30 has not gone unnoticed. President Trump, who returned to office in 2024, continues to falsely claim climate change is a hoax. His administration’s climate denial and focus on fossil fuels have sparked concern among global leaders that the U.S. could undermine the summit’s progress — even from afar.
Newsom’s remarks, which included sharp criticism of Trump’s energy policies, positioned California in direct opposition to federal climate strategy. He accused Trump of reshaping the U.S. into a “petro state,” more aligned with countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia than with modern democracies leading in clean tech.
Challenging Trump’s Economic Direction
Beyond climate, Newsom also attacked Trump’s broader economic direction, particularly his tariff-heavy trade policies and protectionist stance.
“I feel like it’s modeled a little bit on President Xi, not President Reagan,” Newsom said. “The hell’s going on?”
He argued that Trump’s approach is not only out of step with global economic trends but also damaging to investor confidence and U.S. competitiveness. “It’s madness from an investment perspective,” he said, warning that the country risks losing its edge in key sectors unless it embraces the green transition.
Eyes on 2028?
Though Newsom stopped short of declaring a 2028 presidential bid, his presence at COP30 and his aggressive international messaging appear to be laying the groundwork for a national campaign. His climate-focused global engagement stands in stark contrast to Trump’s America-first platform and is likely to resonate with voters increasingly concerned about the climate crisis.
Last week, California voters backed Newsom’s plan to redraw the state’s voting districts — a move aimed at countering gerrymandering in Republican-led states. The victory further elevates his national profile and signals his continued political momentum.
California as a Climate Model
In Belem, Newsom also met with regional officials, including the governor of Pará, the host state of COP30. These subnational partnerships, he said, are critical to accelerating climate progress when national governments fail to act.
While the summit continues without formal U.S. federal participation, Newsom’s message is clear: California won’t wait.
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