UN chief urges leaders to ‘get serious’ as COP31 set to open

Antonio Guterres, the United Nations chief, called on world leaders to "get serious" about combating climate change as the COP31 conference was set to commence. Negotiators were already engaged in an early conflict over financing issues. The summit took place in Antalya, a Turkish Mediterranean city, following a year marked by severe heatwaves in Europe, major wildfires in Indonesia, and devastating floods in Nepal, exacerbated by an unusually strong El Nino weather phenomenon.

Guterres stated, "We have entered a new age of climate extremes," urging leaders to expedite emissions reductions, accelerate a just transition from fossil fuels, and provide necessary financing and protection to vulnerable nations. However, the opening ceremony of COP31 was delayed by an hour for reasons unknown. Negotiators had been debating late Sunday over demands by developing countries to include climate finance topics on the official agenda.

These nations, historically responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions, argue that current financial support is insufficient. Under UN climate agreements, developed countries are expected to provide financial assistance to help developing nations adapt to climate impacts and transition to cleaner energy. Yet, some poorer countries claim the allocated funds are inadequate.

The EU expressed concern over developed countries taking a firm stance on whether to include a platform discussed at COP30 in Brazil last year, aimed at addressing how wealthy nations should provide funds to developing nations. African nations are also advocating for the agenda to include discussions on tripling adaptation finance, aimed at assisting poorer nations in implementing measures like building sea walls or cultivating drought-resistant crops.

Despite the challenges, observers predict few major breakthroughs at COP31, as countries navigate an oil price shock and geopolitical tensions fueled by the US war with Iran and Russia’s conflict in Ukraine. The UN's World Meteorological Organization reported that 2026 has seen exceptional global temperatures, melting ice, and rising sea levels.

The EU's climate monitor warned that 2026 would likely be the second-hottest year ever recorded, with the potential for 2027 to surpass it, fueled by the El Nino phenomenon. The long-term outlook is concerning, as the UN warned in September that global temperatures are expected to exceed 1.5°C above preindustrial levels, breaching the most ambitious threshold set by the Paris Agreement.

Rachel Cleetus, climate programme director at the Union of Concerned Scientists, emphasized that global leaders must act swiftly to curb fossil fuel use and expand renewable energy, a necessity highlighted by the current energy affordability crisis. Turkey currently hosts COP31, with Australia leading negotiations following a settlement resolving a dispute over hosting the conference.

The summit is dubbed the "implementation COP," focusing on transforming commitments into tangible actions post years of pledges and announcements. Turkey promotes an "action agenda" alongside formal negotiations, encouraging countries to support non-binding pledges on various issues, including artificial intelligence and waste management.

However, the centerpiece, an "electrification" drive, aims to increase the share of global energy demand met by electricity from approximately 20% today to 35% by 2035. This initiative might cause friction, as the EU advocates for "clean" electrification, a term that could spark debates about the role of fossil fuels in Turkey's proposal.

Although countries committed to transitioning away from fossil fuels reached a landmark agreement at COP28 in Dubai in 2023, they have struggled to agree on actions to actualize this commitment. COP30 ended without explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, with Brazil presenting a voluntary "roadmap" containing proposals for phasing out fossil fuels that each country can adapt to their circumstances.

The absence of a major climate-sceptic figure, like former US President Donald Trump, from COP31 is notable, while a US congressional delegation will attend the summit in Antalya. Democrats expressed satisfaction after last week's historic US midterm election win.