Democrats signal US will pursue climate action despite Trump's opposition
Gore and Kerry are part of an unofficial US group at COP31 talks.
The US has no official presence at the climate talks. Kerry and Gore attend as part of an unofficial group.
Kerry told delegates: Americans are committed to taking back their future, and we will rebuild our partnerships as we do that. Twenty Democratic members of Congress also attend, though they lack official state department funding.
Trump has called climate change a hoax and refused to attend the talks in Turkey. During his two terms, Trump rolled back emissions rules, weakened methane regulations and withdrew the US from the Paris climate agreement.
- Turkey
- COP31 location
- 20 members
- Democratic Congress attendees
- November 3
- US midterm date
Why it mattersThe US shapes global climate policy. An unofficial US presence signals domestic opposition to Trump's climate denial but cannot commit the country to new climate pledges.
AustraliaAustralia depends on strong US climate commitment for credible global agreements. The unofficial nature of this delegation limits any binding US climate action.
