The USA is not at COP31 - but is still present

Gavin Newsom has had stressful days: In Antalya, the US Democrat and governor of the most populous state of California repeatedly spread two messages at many appearances. One is aimed at the more than 190 countries at the climate summit: We are still there.

The other is for the president at home, Donald Trump, who is absent from the conference: "Where the hell are you?" asked Newsom. "Show yourself! I mean, China is massively represented here. They don't do things by halves. And they dominate this area. They also build relationships and partnerships. They're at the table. There's no trace of us. And if you're not at the table, then, as you know, that's just an extraordinary abdication of leadership."

More than 100 US politicians traveled

Because the US government is not represented in Antalya - no pavilion, no delegation office. She is no longer negotiating because Trump withdrew from the Paris climate agreement. More than 100 governors, senators and mayors from US states and cities came to the event. Unlike their government in Washington, they want to continue fighting global warming together with the rest of the world.

Because it's worth it for the citizens, Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse emphasized in Antalya: "We have enormous opportunities to make the United States a leader in the clean energy economy again - these opportunities are right in front of us. Clean energy is inexpensive energy. So the more we expand our clean energy infrastructure, the more the costs for Americans will fall."

And that's a key part of the message of the midterm elections. Republicans lost heavily nationwide in the midterm elections earlier this month.

Many states are sticking to climate targets

Trump in the White House cannot stop the US states from doing something about the climate crisis, says New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham at the COP: "The largest wind farm in North America is in New Mexico," she says. “We will show the federal government that I will not be intimidated by their lack of responsibility and commitment to moving away from fossil fuels.”

Almost half of the US states have come together and are sticking to the Paris climate goals. According to their own information, they represent around 60 percent of the economic power. According to a study by the University of Maryland, political measures taken by these states could reduce US CO2 emissions by up to 46 percent below 2005 levels by 2035.

Hopes for a change of power in Washington

Nevertheless, the fact that the second largest climate polluter after China is no longer involved in negotiations is noticeably slowing down global emissions reductions and is leaving major gaps in international climate financing.

Greenpeace deputy director Jasper Inventor: "The USA is still at least two years away from a new president, and they won't be at the table for that long. We hope and expect that other countries will fill this power vacuum."

The Greenpeace spokesman is pinning his hopes on China and the EU, which need to show more leadership. And he is counting on a change of power in Washington.

USA also depends on the rest of the world

But even if the USA rejoins the Paris Agreement at some point, things won't be the same again, says US-born Jennifer Morgan, who worked for the traffic light government as climate state secretary: "I think it will be a little different," says Morgan. The rest of the world has become a little more skeptical. "You can get out once, get out twice, but the third time you have to somehow come back with a good offer. And I think also with a little bit of humility."

Because, says the former Climate State Secretary, the USA is dependent on the rest of the world in the fight against global warming.