The 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) officially began on 9th November 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye. While Türkiye is hosting the summit, the conference is being co-hosted by Australia under a shared leadership arrangement, with Australia serving as President of Negotiations.
The conference will run until 20th November, bringing together representatives from around the world to discuss climate change, energy policy and international emissions reduction targets.
Türkiye Proposes New Global Electrification Target
One of the main proposals introduced on the opening day of COP31 was the ‘35-by-35’ target, which aims to increase electricity’s share of global final energy consumption to 35% by 2035, compared with approximately 20% today.
The proposal focuses on increasing electrification across sectors currently dependent on fossil fuels, including transport, heating and industry.
However, analysis from Climate Action Tracker suggests that existing government policies would achieve approximately 28% by 2035, meaning further action would be required to meet the proposed target.
Countries Discuss the Transition Away from Fossil Fuels
The transition away from fossil fuels remains a significant topic surrounding COP31, following previous international commitments made at COP28 in 2023.
While the issue is not included as a standalone item on the formal negotiating agenda, countries continue to hold differing positions on how quickly the transition should take place.
The European Union has called for faster implementation of existing renewable energy and energy efficiency commitments, while Türkiye has emphasised the importance of maintaining energy security and supporting workers and industries affected by the transition.
Climate Finance Remains a Key Issue
Financial support for developing countries is another major focus of the conference. Discussions include how funding can be increased to help countries adapt to climate change, develop cleaner energy infrastructure and respond to extreme weather events.
African nations had requested additional formal discussions on adaptation finance and climate-related trade measures. Although these proposals were not added as separate agenda items, the issues may still be addressed through other negotiations.
UN Reports Continued Rise in Global Temperatures
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released new findings highlighting continued increases in global temperatures. According to the organisation, 2026 is on track to become one of the four warmest years on record, with average global temperatures between January and September approximately 1.47°C above pre-industrial levels.
The WMO also reported that global ocean heat content has reached record levels, with a strengthening El Niño expected to contribute to unusually high temperatures into early 2027.
COP31 negotiations will continue over the next two weeks, with countries working towards agreements on climate finance, emissions reductions and the implementation of existing commitments.
Australia has indicated that the conference’s final decision will focus on practical outcomes rather than introducing unexpected new commitments.
With discussions still in their early stages, the extent of any new agreements will become clearer as negotiations progress. Stay tuned for our daily COP31 updates as we follow the latest announcements and developments throughout the conference.
