THE official absence of the United States from the 30th edition of the Conference of the Parties (COP30) Climate Summit in Brazil is more than a diplomatic misstep; it is a disgraceful abandonment of global responsibility. This has been openly acknowledged by Democratic leaders in Washington, who described the empty American chair as “a historic humiliation for the United States”.

At a press conference held on the same day the summit opened, leaders lamented that the US had “vacated its seat at the head table”, leaving the world’s most important climate forum without the presence of the leader of the world, which also happens to be the largest historical emitter. President Donald Trump’s decision to abstain reflected not merely neglect, but a deeper and dangerous rejection of science, consensus and global leadership.

Trump’s worldview on climate change remains skewed, unscientific and rooted in denial. He has repeatedly dismissed climate science as ‘nonsense’, called global warming a ‘hoax’, and ridiculed decades of research, including that by prestigious American institutions.

The US administration has reversed environmental regulations faster than any in modern history, rolling back more than 125 climate and pollution safeguards, reopening federal lands for oil and gas drilling, dismantling the Clean Power Plan, slashing environmental budgets, and restricting renewable energy incentives. The result is a world power stepping backward as the rest of the world steps forward. Trump’s absence is especially alarming because the climate crisis is intensifying far faster than predictions.

America’s withdrawal is part of a broader trend: the retreat of US leadership across global institutions. The same pattern has occurred at various forums where American influence has diminished due to policies seen as negative, confron- tational, or aligned with narrow private interests instead of global wellbeing.

Washington is increasingly outvoted, sidelined or isolated — not because America lacks power, but because it has chosen to apply that power in ways that contradict scientific consensus and international expectations.

Trump continues to push policies that drag America further backwards. While China will sell over 11 million electric vehicles (EVs) in 2025, the US faces stagnation due to inconsistent policies. The same is the case with advancements in the renewable energy projects.

Inside the US, powerful voices are now rising in protest. Scientists, environmental organisations, governors, mayors, universities and corporate leaders have condemned the administration’s retreat. Photos of the empty US seat in the main plenary hall at COP30 went viral world-wide, symbolising a superpower turning its back on humanity.

The US must rethink its direction before it gets too late. It must return to clean energy innovation, rebuild institutional capacity, train its workforce for the green economy, and reclaim its leadership at COP and across world bodies. Leadership lost today will not be easily regained. The world is moving forward at a high speed, and the US cannot afford to be left behind.

Qamar Bashir
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2025