World leaders urge stronger and faster action at UN climate talks over inadequate response

In an urgent appeal, the United Nations chief, António Guterres, implored world leaders to take decisive and immediate action to curb global warming at the commencement of the U.N. climate conference in Turkey. Guterres emphasized that climate action is more than a mere dispute over numbers or thermometer readings, stating, "We know the truth. Now we must act on it because climate action is more than a fight over a number or a thermometer. We are in the fight for our lives and our children's future."

However, the summit, designated as COP31, lacked participation from the leaders of the world's three largest carbon dioxide-emitting nations: China, the United States, and India. Collectively responsible for over half of global carbon dioxide emissions, their absence left a small number of national leaders and U.N. officials to champion action.

The situation was further complicated by a new report highlighting a widening gap between countries' climate pledges and actual emissions reductions. Scientists have warned that global warming is likely to surpass the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels, necessitating urgent measures to mitigate the devastating consequences of climate change.