World leaders have condemned US President Donald Trump for rejecting climate science ahead of the COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil. Trump, who is skipping the summit, was branded a “liar” by the presidents of Colombia and Chile after calling climate change “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.”
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer lamented the decline of global unity on climate action, saying, “that consensus is gone,” though he insisted “the UK is all-in.”
Despite his remarks, the UK withdrew from Brazil’s $125 billion rainforest protection fund, a move that angered the hosts and surprised observers given Britain’s role in launching a deforestation pledge at COP26 in Glasgow. Former minister Lord Zac Goldsmith said Brazil was “furious” over the decision.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva warned against “extremist forces spreading fake news” that deny climate change, while Prince William urged leaders to act with “urgent optimism” for future generations.
Only a few dozen leaders are attending COP30, and many nations have yet to update their carbon reduction plans. Delegates will spend the next two weeks negotiating new climate funding, particularly for countries hit hardest by global warming.
The summit comes amid worsening extreme weather, including Hurricane Melissa, which killed over 75 people in the Caribbean. Scientists say climate change intensified its rainfall by 16%.
