UN climate talks begin in Antalya as disasters and energy shocks dominate agenda

United Nations climate negotiations have opened in Antalya, Turkey, as the 31st Conference of Parties, known as COP31, begins with speeches from world leaders. The talks come amid deadly summer heat waves in Europe and devastating flooding in Nepal, which illustrate the global fallout from rising temperatures.

Scientists warn that global warming is accelerating, and the United Nations recently revised its long-standing goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius because the world is exceeding that threshold. The conference will examine how countries can follow through on previous climate pledges.

“It’s really the moment that we place a magnifying lens on what’s happening in the world on climate change, both good and bad.”

A central issue this year is implementing promises to move away from fossil fuels. Turkey, as co-host, is promoting a separate plan to shift more global energy use, including transportation, to electricity generated from solar and wind power.

Negotiators will also discuss how to deliver promised funds to poorer countries so they can switch to renewable energy, adapt to a warmer world, and recover from climate-induced damage. Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine caused a European energy shock, while this year's bombing of Iran by the United States and Israel closed the Strait of Hormuz and sent fossil fuel prices soaring.

The world continues to rely on coal, oil, and gas even as renewable energy becomes cheaper and cleaner. Both fossil fuels and renewables are being used to meet demand from power-hungry artificial intelligence and growing economic development, which is not helping to curb climate change.

David Waskow, international climate chief at the World Resources Institute, said the talks place a magnifying lens on what is happening in the world regarding climate change, both good and bad.