COP31 to open in Turkey, with climate goals under pressure from war and AI
Delegates will confront gaps in emissions cuts and a $305 billion annual adaptation need as nearly 200 countries seek practical progress.
- On Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, Turkey's COP31 presidency, led by COP31 President Murat Kurum, opened the U.N. climate summit in Antalya, launching a non-binding '35-by-35' electrification pledge to raise electricity's share of global energy to 35% by 2035.
- Mounting urgency defines this year's talks as 2026 is virtually certain to exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, following catastrophic floods in Nepal that killed about 1,500 people and a deadly European heatwave that caused over 50,000 deaths.
- Branding this an 'implementation COP,' Turkey and Australia prioritize delivering existing commitments over setting new targets. However, the U.S. remains absent from negotiations under President Donald Trump, who withdrew from climate talks.
- Developing nations are pressing wealthy countries for faster access to climate finance to support adaptation efforts. A senior European Union official warned last week there would be "no political will" for extra funding pledges at COP31.
- Rising global power demand from artificial intelligence is driving a surge in global energy consumption, pushing governments to rethink energy policies and invest more in wind and solar. This challenge now features prominently on the COP31 agenda.
373 Articles
373 Articles
The energy crisis caused by the Middle East conflict brings back the world's dependence on oil and gas to the fore and provides a new argument for accelerating the energy transition. At COP31, which runs from 9 to 20 November, in Antalya, Australia and Turkey propose an ambitious objective: by 2035, electricity will account for 35% of final energy consumption. However, negotiations are difficult to predict, especially with regard to the sources …
UN climate summit kicks off in Turkiye after a disastrous year of extreme weather
World leaders, delegates and climate activists on Monday kicked off talks in Turkiye on curbing climate change, which in the last year has led to rising temperatures and deadly heat waves in Europe and beyond, and played a role in disasters such as the devastating floods in Nepal.
The COP31 is taking place under an unprecedented formula: Turkey holds the formal presidency, while Australia leads the negotiations, which require the consensus of the countries
The agenda was adopted after an hour and a half delay, but it left out a specific point to triple resources for adaptation.
The United Nations climate summit brings together nearly 200 countries in Türkiye until 20 November, with the challenge of closing funding gaps.
The President of the Republic does not go to the COP in Turkey this year, and his image as a climate champion has deteriorated over time.
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