Deadly floods and heat frame COP31 climate summit as it begins after disastrous year of extreme weather

Climate risks frame the talks

World leaders, delegates and climate activists began the U.N. talks on Monday in the Mediterranean city of Antalya. The summit follows a year of rising temperatures, deadly heat waves in Europe and beyond, and floods in Nepal.

Climate scientists say global warming is likely to pass 1.5 degrees Celsius above early-1800s levels. Limiting warming to that threshold was a goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement, but the likelihood of an overshoot reflects the difficulty of cutting emissions from burning coal, oil and gas.

Energy pressures sharpen choices

U.N. climate chief Simon Stiell said climate change is deadly for many people and called on nations to choose between shifting the economy toward electricity or accepting continued fossil-fuel cost pressures. He also described the climate crisis as a global health crisis of pandemic proportions.

Turning commitments into action

Turkish Environment Minister Murat Kurum, COP31 president, said the world would overshoot the 1.5-degree target, but pledged not to lower ambition. He has said the summit should prioritize carrying out existing commitments rather than setting new targets.

Kurum’s Action Agenda includes cutting methane emissions and building climate-resilient cities. It also seeks to raise electricity use from 21% to 35% by 2035, preferably through renewable sources such as wind and solar.

Stiell said practical steps such as methane reductions could help slow warming. Methane remains in the atmosphere for less time than other warming gases but heats the planet faster.

Finance remains a sticking point

Delegates are expected to discuss support for poorer countries adapting to rising temperatures and extreme weather, as well as moving away from fossil fuels. Negotiators from nearly 200 countries were already debating funds for adaptation and recovery from climate disasters.

Developing countries want more discussion of financing agreed goals from the Paris climate talks. Meena Raman of the Malaysia-based Third World Network said countries least responsible for the crisis should not have to borrow to address it. Iskander Erzini Vernoit, an adviser to African negotiators, said developing countries want clear plans from richer nations on providing the money needed to tackle climate change.

A crowded opening day

Long lines formed at the registration center on Monday. Organizers asked attendees without essential business to wait until Tuesday to collect accreditation badges. An estimated 68,500 people are registered for the two-week event, with nearly 25,000 people helping run the conference. The summit is scheduled for Nov. 9-20.