US Democrats assure COP31 of US climate commitment

Fresh from their victory in the United States midterm elections, Democratic lawmakers have used the COP31 climate summit in Türkiye to reassure the international community that support for climate action remains strong in the country despite President Donald Trump’s opposition.

An 18-member delegation of Democratic lawmakers arrived at the United Nations climate conference in Antalya on Saturday, pledging to push for clean energy policies and restore confidence in the United States’ commitment to tackling global warming.

The visit comes after Democrats regained control of both chambers of Congress in last week’s election, a development welcomed by climate campaigners who hope the party will challenge the Trump administration’s environmental policies.

Speaking to AFP, Florida Representative Kathy Castor acknowledged that the United States had lost some of the trust of its international partners.

“Many of our allies and partners across the world think the United States has not been predictable or dependable. So we have a lot of trust to earn back,” she said.

Castor added that she hoped the country would return to a stronger climate policy position, saying, “I hope the United States gets back on track with urgent climate action.”

The delegation’s appearance at COP31 comes amid growing criticism of Trump’s climate agenda, which has included reversing clean energy policies introduced by previous administrations, promoting oil drilling and withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement.

The administration has also kept the country out of the United Nations climate negotiations.

Arizona lawmaker Yassamin Ansari condemned the administration’s position, describing it as a setback for global climate efforts.

“It is absolutely shameful that the Trump administration operates this way, that this is an administration that is filled with climate deniers, that is beholden to big oil in the United States,” she told AFP.

The Democrats used a panel discussion at the summit to highlight the role of state and local governments in sustaining climate initiatives despite the federal government’s position.

California Congressman Raul Ruiz said efforts to tackle climate change had continued across the country.

“Despite the setbacks that we’re experiencing through this Trump administration, climate action is alive in America,” he said.

The delegation’s participation followed visits to COP31 earlier in the week by US mayors and governors, as well as former Vice President Al Gore and former Secretary of State and climate envoy John Kerry.

Climate campaigners also welcomed the Democrats’ election victory, describing it as a potential turning point in the country’s environmental policy.

Harjeet Singh, strategic adviser to the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, told AFP that the result represented a significant political shift.
“What happened in the US is remarkable, and a much needed shift that we all needed, not only from a climate perspective, but overall,” he said.

The Democrats have pledged to use their control of Congress to investigate the administration’s climate policies and introduce legislation supporting clean energy.

However, Trump remains in office for another two years and retains the power to veto legislation passed by Congress, potentially limiting the lawmakers’ ability to reverse his policies.

Ansari argued that the administration could face pressure to support measures that reduce household energy costs, particularly amid public concern over rising bills.

“At a time where Americans from all political backgrounds want to see their energy bills reduced, this administration will be very hard pressed to veto legislation that will bring down costs for the American people,” she said.

The Democrats’ presence at COP31 has therefore offered climate negotiators a reminder that, although the US federal government has stepped back from international climate cooperation under Trump, support for climate action continues among lawmakers and subnational governments.