A pivotal United Nations Climate Summit is beginning to take shape in Belem, Brazil as world leaders arrive for this year’s Conference of Parties – known as COP30 – notably without a United States delegation in attendance.

Climate advocates worry this move threatens to “derail” momentum behind new emissions and financing commitments, especially as China tapped its deputy prime minister to attend over high-level representatives, raising concerns over whether the world’s two largest emitters will shape any actionable outcome.

Thursday kicks off a gathering of heads of state over the next two days; the leaders of China, the U.S. and India all absent before the formal U.N. climate talks begin next week.

The United States’ empty chair prompted activists to fill the void; hundreds of represen

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