Antalya, Turkey – Major polluting economies stayed away from the high-level leaders’ segment as the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, entered its fourth day on November 12 with louder warnings over stalling emission cuts. UN chief Antonio Guterres has encouraged states attending to hasten the phase-out of coal, oil and gas infrastructure, warning that continued growth of fossil fuels puts the 1.5°C temperature limit at risk. Guterres told participants at the gathering that rich economies should honour existing climate finance obligations, including $300 billion a year by 2035, and commit to concrete targets to treble funding for adaptation in the world’s most climate-vulnerable governments.
Turkey, the host country, negotiated a package of 10 agreements with four multilateral development banks totalling more than $5.1 billion to support domestic industry decarbonization, clean electrification and green infrastructure. Australia is co-leading the formal UNFCCC diplomatic negotiations under an unusual co-presidency arrangement, while Turkey is co-leading the optional summit Action Agenda, which focuses on global electrification, methane reduction and circular economy targets.
