America’s major tv networks skip critical climate summit while nearly 4,000 journalists gather in brazil

While thousands of international journalists have descended on Belém, Brazil, to cover COP30—one of the most crucial climate summits in recent years—America’s four major television networks are notably absent from the scene. CBS, NBC, ABC, and Fox have all opted not to send reporting teams to the United Nations climate conference, according to preliminary media registration data released Tuesday.

The absence is particularly striking given the summit’s significance and robust media presence. Nearly 4,000 media professionals from around the world registered to attend COP30, underscoring the global importance of the climate negotiations taking place in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. This year’s summit is being closely watched as nations work to strengthen their commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing the escalating climate crisis.

The decision by America’s “big four” broadcasters to skip coverage raises questions about how climate news reaches mainstream U.S. audiences. Television remains a primary news source for millions of Americans, and the networks’ absence means fewer Americans may hear about critical climate policy developments, international agreements, and scientific findings emerging from the summit.

Climate advocates and media experts suggest this represents a missed opportunity for these major outlets to inform the public about decisions that will directly impact American communities—from extreme weather preparedness to clean energy investments. As one observer noted, “They’re missing a lot” by choosing not to cover what many consider the most important environmental story of the year.