Newsom Backs Global Fossil Fuel Phaseout at COP31, Says He'll Decide on 2028 Run in January

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said at the COP31 UN climate summit in Antalya, Türkiye, on Thursday that he backs a global phaseout of fossil fuels and will decide in early January whether to seek the 2028 presidential nomination. He told the Guardian that California is fully behind the Santa Marta coalition, a group of more than 50 countries seeking a shift from oil, gas and coal to solar, wind and batteries. In an interview with Turkey's Anadolu news agency, he said he would spend the next few weeks with his family before deciding. Newsom is barred by term limits and leaves office in January. He called last week's midterm results a historic repudiation of President Donald Trump, whose administration continues to boycott the talks. He has previously said he would not run if Kamala Harris does. Separately, Australia, which is steering the talks with Türkiye, published a "Summary of Reflections" on Friday listing proposals without naming the countries behind them. It includes the fossil fuel transition agreed at COP28 in 2023 and a call to triple adaptation finance. Reuters cited observers saying major producers and consumers resist firm new targets.

The Guardian US, the left-leaning outlet, leads with the climate endorsement. It calls Newsom the most prominent US politician at the summit, quotes his argument that clean energy is superior for the climate and the economy, and says the US could join the coalition if he wins in 2028. It also recalls that petrostates led by Saudi Arabia blocked a fossil fuel roadmap at COP30. The Washington Examiner and Fox News lead with the January decision, taken from the Anadolu interview, and treat the summit mainly as the setting. The Examiner adds his claim that Trump's presidency effectively ended with the midterms and his criticism of Trump's retreat from climate agreements. Fox adds Harris's possible bid, other Democratic names, and a link to Bill Clinton. Both sides agree on the date, the venue and Newsom's party. Alternative outlets Reuters and TRT World drop Newsom and focus on negotiating divisions and the draft "cover decision."