The COP31 climate conference opened in Antalya, Turkey, with immediate tensions over financial commitments as leaders face pressure to address worsening climate extremes.
The COP31 climate talks began on November 9 in Antalya, Turkey, with early disputes over financial commitments. The UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, urged world leaders to 'get serious' about tackling the climate crisis, citing a year marked by extreme weather events such as heatwaves in Europe, wildfires in Indonesia, and floods in Nepal. These events were exacerbated by an exceptionally strong El Niño phenomenon.
Developing nations pushed for climate finance to be included in the official agenda, but negotiations were delayed into Sunday. Greenpeace's COP31 delegation head, Jasper Inventor, described the start as 'difficult,' noting that developed countries took a 'hard line' on including a platform for discussing financial support. The 'climate finance work programme' was eventually added to the agenda, though African nations' request to triple adaptation finance was not made a standalone item.
Why it matters
The outcome of funding discussions at COP31 will directly affect developing nations' ability to adapt to climate impacts and transition to cleaner energy.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
Whether the 'climate finance work programme' leads to concrete financial commitments from developed nations by the end of the conference.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.