COP31 Summit in Antalya: World leaders gather for the climate crisis
The COP31 Climate Summit held in Antalya has commenced with concerns regarding meeting global warming targets and discussions on implementation strategies. Leaders are conducting critical talks on the transition from fossil fuels and energy policies.
The United Nations COP31 Climate Change Conference began in Antalya on Monday, November 9, with official talks intensifying as of Wednesday with the participation of world leaders. The summit, with Australia leading the negotiations, focuses on the theme of 'implementation' due to the risk of exceeding the 1.5-degree warming threshold of the 2015 Paris Agreement and the persistence of high global emissions.
The summit is taking place under the shadow of geopolitical tensions, such as the impact of the war in Iran on global energy prices and the need for countries to re-evaluate their energy policies. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on countries to set clear timelines for phasing out fossil fuels. The US is not attending the summit for the second consecutive year following President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from climate cooperation.
Host country Turkey has proposed a target to increase the share of electricity in total energy consumption to 35% by 2035. The Brazilian COP presidency has released a roadmap that envisions countries planning their energy systems by 2028 and reducing fossil fuel supply starting from 2031. Attendees include figures such as Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Ursula von der Leyen, Han Zheng, and Hilda Heine.
The summit process in Antalya has also been marked by logistical challenges, such as increased security measures with the arrival of leaders and traffic congestion in the city. Participants are experiencing difficulties due to disruptions in transport links and restricted conference areas.