COP31 Opens in Antalya as Global Temperatures Loom Past 1.5 C Threshold
Negotiators in Turkey face pressure to deliver concrete actions on methane and electrification while the United States remains absent from the talks.
By Carlos Rousseau ·
World leaders and delegates began negotiations on Monday in Antalya, Turkey, to address rising global temperatures and extreme weather events. The conference, known as COP31, marks the first gathering where scientists confirm the world will exceed the 1.5 Celsius limit established in the 2015 Paris Agreement.
The summit runs through November 20. Negotiators must work to convert previous promises into tangible results. The goal is to raise the share of electricity from renewable sources like solar and wind from 21 percent to 35 percent by 2035. This shift aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions released by burning oil, gas, and coal.
Turkish Environment Minister Murat Kurum serves as the president of COP31. He stated that the world will overshoot the 1.5 degree target. He said, “We will not look away, and we will not lower our ambition.” Kurum has introduced an Action Agenda focused on reducing methane and building climate-resilient cities. He wants the summit to prioritize implementing existing commitments over setting new targets.
The war in Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global energy supplies. This event has increased the cost of gasoline, oil, fertilizers, and pesticides. Governments are now reevaluating energy policies with a focus on short term and long term investments in wind and solar power.
Delegates will also discuss financial support for poorer nations. These countries need resources to adapt to rising temperatures and extreme weather while moving away from fossil fuels. The last two summits in Brazil and Azerbaijan ended with limited agreement on emission reductions. Their final texts did not mention fossil fuels, unlike the COP28 agreement in Dubai which included a transition away from them.
The United States, the second largest polluter after China, is not participating in the negotiations. President Donald Trump withdrew the country from climate talks during his first term and again upon taking office in January 2025. Simon Stiell, the U.N. Climate Change Executive Secretary, said that while no single summit stops climate change overnight, every recent meeting has made essential progress.
Turkey and Australia are jointly organizing the event. The two countries negotiated to resolve a dispute over hosting duties. Turkey serves as the official host, while Australia leads the negotiations. Both nations face criticism for their heavy reliance on coal for energy production.
