This Guest Post was written by Amy Quirk
I am in Belém. One week into COP30, I am wondering about COP31.
US Pavilion
(COP24 U.S. Pavilion in Baku, Azerbaijan)
At this COP, we lack an official delegation from the United States of America to:
- Showcase American innovations;
- Convene experts to share ideas;
- Stimulate and inspire creative solutions;
- Offer a meeting place – a “there, there.”
A Faith Pavilion
(Faith Pavilion at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
At this COP, there is no Faith Pavilion. No single, clearly identifiable space to:
- Discuss the moral and ethical obligation we have to care for creation;
- Hear testimony from witnesses to the devastation we are causing;
- Meet other people of faith advocating for the healing of our planet; and
- Learn from each other how we might be more effective in our work.
Here is a library of valuable recordings of Faith Pavilion proceedings at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
A California Pavilion
What if California had its own pavilion at COP31? The capacity, collaboration and sheer creativity exist to fill some gaps – gaps due to the withdrawal of the U.S. Pavilion and the absence of a Faith Pavilion.
Financial Capacity
California clearly has the capacity. Our economy is greater than that of many nations in the world.
The economic strength is matched by internationally-recognized leadership in environmental innovation and stewardship.
“Pollution is down and the economy is up. Greenhouse gas emissions in California are down 21% since 2000 – even as the state’s GDP increased 81% in that same time period, all while becoming the world’s fourth largest economy.”
“California also continues to set clean energy records. In 2023, the state was powered by two-thirds clean energy, the largest economy in the world to achieve this level. California has also run on 100% clean electricity for part of the day almost every day this year.”
International Collaboration
(Globe rotating over the Blue Zone for negotiations at COP30)
California has a distinguished record of environmental collaboration. Accords have been achieved with cities, states and within nations to meet shared goals. These include voluntary bilateral or multilateral agreements with other national and subnational governments, such as substantive agreements with Chinese provinces. The success of these collaborations has attracted academic analysis.
(Governor Newsom at COP30 on November 11, 2025)
At COP30, California has continued to expand the reach of these collaborations, as in the California and Baden-Württemberg Partnership. Other recent accords have been achieved within Brazil, Nigeria and Denmark.
Creativity
California seeks out and encourages creative solutions. “America Is All In” is one example. The coalition dates back to 2017, when the Trump Administration rejected the United Nations Paris Agreement and did not participate fully in the COP proceedings.
“Led [now] by former White House National Climate Advisor and 13th U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy, Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, and climate champions across the country, the coalition is working to cut U.S. emissions in half by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050, while building resilience in the face of increasing climate impacts.”
People of faith have joined in this movement. As have tribal nations contributing their own wisdom and spiritual commitment to care of creation.
In fact, California Interfaith Power & Light, representing 250,00 individuals in more than 730 congregations, collected thousands of signatures to support the “All In” movement.
COP31 in Antalya, Turkey
COP31 in 2026 is the place and the time for a California Pavilion. We can bring together international collaborations and people of faith and spirit, all unified in the mission to care for creation.
COP30 – Gratitude, by Amy Quirk