"As the Trump administration halts climate programmes, local leaders plan to participate in Brazil's COP30 to reaffirm their commitment."

"WASHINGTON – Kirk Watson leads a city in Texas, but these days he feels like he's stepping into a role vacated by Washington officials.

Weeks out from November's global U.N. COP30 climate talks in Belém, Brazil, Watson and other U.S. mayors say they want to use the summit to reaffirm their growing climate work – and to seek ideas and support.

"Subnational action and subnational diplomacy is the primary place to make change right now," Watson, the mayor of Austin, told Context by phone.

"We're proving that, at a time of stress on the government taking action to address climate, cities can grow, we can prosper, but cut emissions at the same time.""

Carey L. Biron reports for Thomson Reuters Foundation October 14, 2025. [2]