Delegates from around the globe gathered on Monday for the opening of the COP31 climate summit in Turkey, running until Nov. 20. The conference includes world leaders, government ministers, negotiators, scientists, and civil society representatives.
Turkey holds the presidency of the conference. Australian Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen will lead the negotiations, and a World Leaders’ Summit is scheduled for Nov. 11 and 12.
Organisers adopted the theme "COP of the Future – COP of Implementation" for the gathering. The event aims to turn previous climate commitments into measurable results.
The presidency’s Action Agenda focuses on several areas. These priorities include a clean energy transition and electrification, zero waste, methane reduction, and climate-resilient cities.
Other core issues involve green industrialization, food security, and the protection of oceans and seas. The program also highlights youth and education, resilient health systems, and cooperation on climate change, biodiversity, and land degradation.
The presidency proposed specific targets for 2035. These include raising electricity’s share of global final energy consumption to 35 percent, cutting energy use intensity in buildings by at least 25 percent, and increasing the global circular material use rate to at least 15 percent.
Negotiators remain divided over financing for developing countries. Divisions also persist regarding efforts to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, following the failure at COP30 to agree on a roadmap.
Ahead of the summit, the UN Environment Programme published its 2026 Emissions Gap Report. The document projects global warming of around 2.6 degrees Celsius this century even if nations fully implement their existing climate pledges, which is well above Paris Agreement temperature goals.
The report estimates that developing countries will need roughly $305 billion annually for climate adaptation by 2035. This figure contrasts with international public adaptation finance of $28.2 billion to $31.7 billion recorded in 2024.
The summit follows a year marked by devastating floods, deadly heat waves, and prolonged droughts. These events have intensified international calls for faster emissions cuts and greater financial support.
