Delegates Set to Convene in Antalya for COP31 Climate Talks
Delegates will soon gather in Antalya, Turkey, for the UN climate negotiations amidst ongoing global conflicts, an energy crisis, and extreme climate events.
Objectives of COP31
At COP31, participating nations will aim to reach consensus on a variety of pressing issues, such as climate finance for developing nations and establishing a global framework for a “just transition” to sustainable economies.
Unique Presidency Structure
This summit is noteworthy for its dual presidency arrangement, in which Australia will spearhead the negotiations while Turkey serves as the host country.
Turkey’s Priorities
Beyond the formal negotiations, Turkey will advocate for its specific objectives within a broader “action agenda,” focusing on electrification, ocean conservation, and green industrialization.
Tracking Negotiation Positions
To elucidate the different viewpoints, Carbon Brief has reviewed approximately 100 documents, presenting an interactive table that captures the positions of various countries and negotiating blocs on key issues at COP31.
The table categorizes countries, topics for discussion, specific issues in focus, and the expressed positions of parties, ranging from supportive to oppositional stances.
This document will continue to evolve throughout the duration of COP31.
Just Transition Mechanism
Following agreements made at COP30 in Brazil in 2025, nations will work towards establishing the “Belém-Antalya mechanism,” aimed at facilitating a just transition to a low-carbon economy. While some details have been tentatively agreed upon during June’s climate negotiations, significant divisions remain among parties concerning the mechanism’s scope and its link to financial commitments.
Despite these divides, civil society groups assert that establishing this mechanism is a pivotal outcome expected from COP31.
Climate Finance Discussions
The subject of climate finance consistently provokes debate at UN climate negotiations. Developing countries have successfully lobbied for a specific agenda item addressing climate finance, intent on pressuring developed nations to bolster their financial contributions as mandated under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement.
While developed nations seek to shift focus towards improving access to existing resources, some are advocating for a shared responsibility model for climate financing. This discourse occurs alongside reductions in aid budgets by major donor countries and pressure from the U.S. to curtail financing aligned with climate objectives.
Global Goals for Adaptation and Mitigation
Parties were unable to finalize details related to a “global goal on adaptation” at recent negotiations, which aims to enhance climate resilience. Nations agreed on a framework of 59 indicators to gauge progress toward this goal, yet refining these indicators remains crucial before COP32 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Furthermore, discussions around the mitigation work programme (MWP), responsible for tackling greenhouse gas emissions, stalled as parties debated its future direction.
Global Stocktake and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
The inaugural “global stocktake” in 2023 assessed climate action progress under the Paris Agreement. Countries committed to measures including eliminating fossil fuel reliance and tripling renewable energy by 2030, yet substantial disagreements linger, particularly among nations dependent on fossil fuel revenues.
Additionally, 150 parties have submitted updated NDCs, which outline their climate strategies until 2035. However, significant emitters like Iran and Vietnam have yet to submit theirs, while the U.S has retracted its climate plan.
Turkey’s Action Agenda
Turkey will promote its priorities in the action agenda at COP31, including global electrification targets and waste reduction initiatives. The Australian presidency aims to incorporate these wider objectives into the negotiations.
A new initiative, the “climate implementation bridge,” is expected to facilitate turning NDC aspirations into actionable investments. Furthermore, a coalition of 105 parties has called for ocean-related climate action to be central to COP31 discussions, seeking to embed these initiatives within the UNFCCC framework.
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