In a bold and controversial statement, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright dismissed the COP30 environmental summit as a ‘hoax’ and criticized its approach to addressing climate change. Speaking at the conclusion of a two-day business conference in Athens, Greece, Wright expressed skepticism about the summit’s intentions, stating, ‘It’s not an honest organization looking to better human lives.’ He hinted at possibly attending next year’s summit to ‘deliver some common sense,’ aligning with the Trump administration’s rejection of global climate agreements and prioritization of fossil fuels. Wright’s remarks came as world leaders gathered in Belem, Brazil, for COP30, where they criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for his absence and his administration’s stance on climate change. The White House confirmed that no high-level U.S. officials would attend the summit, with spokesperson Taylor Rogers asserting that President Trump would not compromise the country’s economic and national security for ‘vague climate goals.’ Wright, a former fossil fuel executive, defended the U.S. position, arguing that global gatherings should focus on energy access, economic growth, and technological advancement rather than what he termed ‘fear-driven environmentalism.’ Meanwhile, at COP30, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warned of the accelerating pace of global warming and its dire consequences, including rising hunger, displacement, and environmental damage. Latin American leaders, including Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, took aim at Trump’s absence, with Petro declaring, ‘Today Mr. Trump is against humanity.’ Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva struck a more conciliatory tone, expressing hope that Trump would eventually recognize the importance of green energy. The summit also highlighted the absence of leaders from China and India, the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters. As the U.N. weather agency reported that 2025 is on track to be one of the warmest years on record, the Trump administration has continued to roll back climate policies, withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and prioritizing fossil fuel production. Critics, including environmental groups, have condemned these actions as a significant setback in the global fight against climate change.
Trump’s energy secretary slams UN climate conference in Brazil, where US absence is glaring
