Newsom Takes California’s Climate Message to Turkey Summit
Newsom arrived in Antalya as world leaders gathered for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP31. He said California would use the meeting to showcase its climate policies and maintain international ties, while condemning President Donald Trump’s decision not to send a U.S. delegation. It is the second year in a row Newsom has criticized Trump’s absence from the summit.
The governor is focusing his conference message on reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, promoting electric and other zero-emission vehicles, and expanding clean energy. He is also presenting California’s climate partnerships as a way to preserve the state’s influence abroad. Australia, which is leading negotiations at the conference, is among the new climate partners mentioned.
Newsom is expected to meet with other leaders and sign agreements on joint climate efforts. His delegation includes First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot and California Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez.
The trip follows Newsom’s attendance at last year’s U.N. climate conference in Brazil. As he considers a potential 2028 presidential campaign, he has used international climate gatherings to contrast California’s approach with Trump’s effort to reverse federal climate policies.
Newsom Carries Climate Leadership Abroad as Trump Skips Summit
With the United States absent from the COP31 summit, Newsom is making the case that California will keep working with international partners on climate change. The governor traveled to Antalya on November 10 and criticized Trump for not sending a federal delegation, the second consecutive year he has done so.
Newsom is highlighting California’s efforts to cut greenhouse-gas emissions, expand clean energy and encourage electric and other zero-emission vehicles. He is also emphasizing that the state’s international partnerships can continue despite the federal administration’s effort to reverse climate policies. Australia, which is leading negotiations, is among the new climate allies cited.
Newsom is expected to meet with world leaders and sign agreements on joint climate action. His delegation includes First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot and Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez.
The trip follows his attendance at last year’s U.N. climate conference in Brazil. With a possible 2028 presidential run ahead, Newsom is using the summit to present California’s climate agenda as a counterpoint to Trump’s retreat from federal climate action.
Newsom Uses Climate Summit to Attack Trump and Raise His Profile
Newsom is using the COP31 gathering in Antalya to criticize Trump’s absence and promote California’s climate program on an international stage. The governor arrived on November 10 and again faulted the president for not sending a delegation, turning the summit into a platform for contrasting state and federal policy.
His message centers on cutting greenhouse-gas emissions, expanding clean energy and promoting electric and other zero-emission vehicles. Newsom is also stressing California’s international partnerships, including new climate allies such as Australia, which is leading negotiations at the conference.
The governor is expected to meet with other leaders and sign agreements on climate cooperation. His party includes First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, state Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot and Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez.
Newsom attended last year’s U.N. climate conference in Brazil and is widely expected to seek the presidency in 2028. His latest trip puts his climate credentials and criticism of Trump before international audiences, while making a state governor a prominent voice in a global summit.
Reported by Los Angeles Times, The Washington Examiner.
