‘We will not lower our ambition’: Everything you need to know on day one of the COP31 climate talks
Get up to speed on the UN COP31 climate talks kicking off on 9 November, from electrification to emissions.
The UN COP31 climate summit commenced in Antalya, Türkiye, amid concerns of reaching irreversible damage. Numerous leaders from Europe and beyond will convene for two weeks of crucial climate discussions, debating topics like energy production, emissions reductions, and funding for vulnerable nations. The summit runs from November 9-20, culminating in a consensus-based package of climate actions and voluntary measures.
Türkiye presides over COP31, but Australia will steer the marathon negotiations. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) governs the negotiating agenda, while the action agenda, a mechanism for voluntary commitments, is overseen by the presidency. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar of Türkiye suggests a "just transition period" for coal miners, but acknowledges the need for renewable energy to ensure energy security.
Key topics at COP31 include electrification and the '35-by-35' target, which aims to raise global electricity share to 35 percent by 2035. The transition away from fossil fuels, previously agreed upon at COP28, has stalled. COP31 will kick off progress on the Global Methane Pledge, followed by a two-year evaluation of Paris Agreement goals. The world is already set to exceed the 1.5°C temperature limit, prompting the UN to remain committed to the 1.5-degree target.
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