Overview
- COP31 opened in Antalya on Monday, Nov. 9, drawing nearly 200 countries to an 'implementation' summit meant to turn past pledges into concrete action.
- U.N. agencies and summit speakers said global temperatures are on track to exceed 1.5°C, using 2026's record heat, a strong El Niño, and disasters such as Nepal's glacier collapse to press urgency.
- Turkey's presidency promoted an electrification Action Agenda to raise electricity's share of energy demand to about 35% by 2035, but the plan is disputed because it does not require that new electricity come from low‑carbon sources.
- Developing countries pushed to place climate finance prominently on the official agenda while wealthy donors signalled little appetite for large new public funding, creating an early negotiating standoff.
- Energy shocks from wars and higher fuel prices plus the absence of U.S. executive representation under President Donald Trump have reduced expectations for major new funding or binding outcomes at the summit.