Electrification, AI and fossil fuels: What to expect as Türkiye hosts major climate summit next month
The UN talks in Antalya next month will be backdropped by the energy crisis, extreme heat and Nepal's flood disaster.
Türkiye is set to host the world's most significant climate summit, COP31, from November 9th in the coastal city of Antalya. The talks will bring together 197 nations to address rising global temperatures, worsening climate damage, and mounting pressure to move away from fossil fuels. Australia will steer the negotiations, in an unprecedented arrangement.
This year's talks are expected to focus on voluntary climate pledges and electrification as a means to cut emissions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. However, critics warn that electrification needs to be pursued alongside clean power to make a significant impact. The global energy market crisis and the devastation caused by climate disasters in 2023 are likely to shape discussions during the summit.
A global consensus on phasing out fossil fuels has stalled, and the issue is not on the formal agenda. Brazil is expected to release a voluntary roadmap to transition away from coal, oil, and gas. The focus on electrification could be problematic, as the target only raises the share of electricity in final energy demand from 20% to 35% by 2035, without specifying how the additional power should be generated.
Türkiye and Australia have promised predictability and no last-minute surprises at the summit. Besides the electrification goal, Türkiye is spearheading various voluntary initiatives, including those on AI, methane, waste reduction, and climate-resilient cities. These pledges will be presented in a separate action agenda, running parallel to the formal COP talks.
The issue of climate finance will be scrutinized again, particularly in light of devastating floods in Nepal, which have reignited calls for wealthy countries to provide more assistance to poorer nations. A decision on which country will host COP in 2028, the global stocktake of progress on climate action, remains undecided. China is reportedly considering a bid, aiming to boost its global climate leadership image after the U.S. withdrew.
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