COP31 opens in Antalya as speakers urge action on climate commitments

COP31 climate talks opened Monday, November 9, in Antalya, Turkey, bringing governments together to discuss climate action, The Associated Press reported.

Summit president and Turkish environment minister Murat Kurum wants the meeting to focus on putting previous climate commitments into practice rather than setting new targets. “Success begins when our decisions reach that last mile,” Kurum said, according to AP.

AP reported that talks are also expected to address how poorer countries can finance adaptation to climate change and a transition to cleaner energy. Meena Raman of the advocacy group Third World Network argued that countries which contributed least to the crisis should not have to borrow their way through it.

Carbon Brief describes a just transition as support for workers and communities during the shift to a low-carbon economy. Bert De Wel, a policy officer at the International Trade Union Confederation, told the outlet that labor remains central to the idea.

Anabella Rosemberg, senior adviser on just transition at Climate Action Network International, told Carbon Brief that such support lacks coordination. She argued that a mechanism could help bring practitioners together, identify barriers and accelerate support.