COP31 climate talks begin in Antalya
Negotiators meet as global temperatures exceed the 1.5C limit and energy costs rise due to the Strait of Hormuz closure.
By Matthew Brooks ·
Negotiations for the 31st Conference of the Parties opened Monday in Antalya, Turkey.
Delegates from around the world began discussions on curbing climate change. The talks come after a year of rising temperatures and deadly heat waves in Europe. Climate factors also played a role in recent floods in Nepal.
The global energy market is under pressure. The war in Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. This disruption has raised prices for gasoline, oil, and products like fertilizers. Governments are now rethinking energy policies. They are considering more investment in wind and solar power.
Turkish Environment Minister Murat Kurum leads the summit. He stated that the world will overshoot the 1.5-degree Celsius target set in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Kurum said, “This is the first COP where it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that the world will overshoot the 1.5-degree target.” He added, “We will not look away, and we will not lower our ambition.”
Kurum wants the summit to focus on action rather than new targets. His “Action Agenda” includes reducing methane and building climate-resilient cities. A central goal is electrification. The plan aims to increase electricity use from 21% to 35% by 2035. The electricity would ideally come from renewable sources.
Delegates will also discuss funding for poorer countries. These nations need money to adapt to extreme weather and leave fossil fuels. The United States is absent from the talks. President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from climate negotiations when he took office in January 2025. The U.S. remains the world’s second-largest polluter after China.
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said, “No single COP is a silver bullet that can stop climate change overnight.” He noted that recent summits made essential progress. The negotiations are scheduled to run through Nov. 20. Turkey and Australia are jointly organizing the event. Turkey is the official host, while Australia leads the negotiations. Both countries rely heavily on coal.
