The COP31 climate summit begins in Antalya, Turkey, on Monday, bringing together world leaders, government delegates and climate activists for negotiations on tackling climate change amid rising global temperatures, extreme weather events and energy market disruption.
The United Nations climate conference, formally known as the Conference of the Parties (COP31), will run from November 9 to 20.
The talks come after another year of rising temperatures, deadly heatwaves in Europe and other regions, and devastating floods in countries such as Nepal.
Energy crisis adds pressure to climate negotiations
The summit is also taking place amid disruption to global energy markets following the war in Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The disruption has pushed up international prices for oil, gas and related products, including fertilisers and pesticides.
It has also prompted governments to reconsider their energy policies, both in the short and long term, with renewed attention on renewable sources such as wind and solar power.
Delegates in Antalya will face pressure to strengthen climate action while delivering on commitments made at previous international summits.
World expected to exceed 1.5°C warming target
One of the central challenges facing the negotiations is the growing likelihood that global temperatures will exceed the 1.5°C threshold set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement.
The target refers to limiting the rise in global average temperatures compared with pre-industrial levels in the early 1800s.
Exceeding it would underline the difficulties countries have faced in reducing greenhouse gas emissions produced by burning fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal.
COP31 President and Turkish Environment Minister Murat Kurum acknowledged that the world was on course to exceed the target.
“This is the first COP where it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that the world will overshoot the 1.5-degree target,” he said.
However, he added that countries should not lower their ambitions.
COP31 focuses on turning promises into action
Rather than setting new targets, Kurum has said he wants the summit to focus on implementing existing climate commitments.
He has introduced an Action Agenda covering several priorities, including reducing methane emissions and developing climate-resilient cities.
Electrification is another central theme. The initiative aims to increase the share of electricity in global energy use from 21% to 35% by 2035, preferably through renewable sources such as solar and wind power.
Delegates are also expected to discuss financial support for poorer countries facing the consequences of rising temperatures and extreme weather.
This includes funding to help vulnerable nations adapt to climate change and transition away from fossil fuels.
Previous climate summits faced criticism
The last two climate conferences, COP30 in Brazil and COP29 in Azerbaijan, faced criticism over the lack of agreement on concrete measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Their final agreements did not explicitly mention fossil fuels, despite the commitment made at COP28 in Dubai to transition away from them.
The issue is expected to remain a major point of discussion in Antalya.
United States absent from negotiations
The United States, the world’s second-largest polluter after China, will again be absent from the climate negotiations.
President Donald Trump withdrew the country from international climate negotiations during his first term and again after returning to office in January 2025.
Despite the absence, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said the international process remained important.
“No single COP is a silver bullet that can stop climate change overnight,” he said, adding that previous conferences had delivered essential progress.
Turkey and Australia jointly organise COP31
This year’s summit introduces a different organisational arrangement, with Turkey and Australia sharing responsibilities after initially competing to host the conference.
Turkey is the official host, while Australia is leading the negotiations.
Both countries, however, have faced criticism over their continued reliance on coal.
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