India, Nov. 7 -- COP30, beginning Monday in Belem, Brazil, is being held at a time of great shift in global power dynamics. The US, the world's largest historical emitter, has been in climate denial since COP29 at Baku, and will be missing at the high table in Belem. The absence of the US will cast a shadow when nations debate questions on mitigation and adaptation towards realising climate goals. The conference will provide clarity on whether the US's retreat has left a leadership void in the global efforts to tackle the climate crisis, or if other nations or coalitions will step up efforts to bridge gaps in ambition regarding carbon dioxide emissions, climate finance, and technology transfer.

At COP29, the US presented an ambitious nat...