UN Climate Talks Begin as Global Warming Hits 1.4 Degrees
COP31 opens in Antalya, Turkey, with the United States absent and fossil fuel subsidies reaching $1.1 trillion.
By Oliver Bennett ·
Negotiations for the 31st Conference of Parties, or COP31, began Monday in Antalya, Turkey, as global temperatures continue to rise at an accelerating pace.
The United Nations adjusted its long-standing goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius in September because the world is currently exceeding that threshold. The European climate agency Copernicus reported on Friday that October 2026 was the hottest October on record. It also confirmed that 2026 is virtually certain to become the second year to surpass the 1.5 degree mark, following 2024.
The current global temperature rise stands at 1.4 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. Scientists project this figure will reach 2.6 degrees Celsius by the end of the century if current trends continue. Johan Rockström, director of Germany’s Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, stated that the world has failed so far to meet its targets.
Energy policy remains the central focus of the talks. Co-host Turkey is promoting a plan to increase the share of electricity in global energy use from 21 percent to 35 percent by 2035. This shift would rely heavily on solar and wind power. Negotiators are also working to finalize funding mechanisms for developing nations to transition to renewables and recover from climate damage.
The absence of the United States complicates the financial discussions. The U.S. is the largest historic carbon emitter but skipped last year’s conference and is not expected to participate this year. Niklas Höhne, co-founder of Germany’s NewClimate Institute, noted that the U.S. is the largest contributor to the problem and no other single nation can fill that financial gap.
Fossil fuel subsidies remain a major obstacle to progress. The United Nations estimates that global subsidies for coal, oil, and gas reached $1.1 trillion this year. Brazil, which hosted the previous conference, released a roadmap this month for transitioning away from these fuels. Ana Toni, who served as CEO of last year’s talks, emphasized that nations must stop subsidizing fossil fuels to achieve their goals.
Youth activists expressed frustration with the pace of political action. Ashley Lashley, a Barbadian activist, said the science has become more alarming while politicians negotiate how much failure to tolerate. Qiyun Woo, a Singaporean environmentalist, described her generation as tired of living with wildfire smoke and devastating floods. Despite these challenges, experts point to the declining cost of solar and wind energy as a strong economic argument for change.
Mohamed Adow, director of Power Shift Africa, said the conference is taking place in a fragmented world where energy security pressures are high. He cited the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a factor intensifying economic strain. Adow added that the continued absence of the U.S. makes it difficult for nations facing catastrophic destruction to secure adequate support.
