The fourth day of COP31 marked the conclusion of the two-day Antalya Leaders’ Summit, with discussions focusing on climate finance, emissions reductions and international cooperation.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham addressed the conference, while new funding commitments were announced to tackle methane and other greenhouse gases. Here are the key developments from Day 4.
UK Prime Minister Addresses COP31
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivered his national statement, describing climate change as a national security issue and reaffirming the UK’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Burnham highlighted the importance of electrification, international cooperation and preparing for climate-related risks. He also announced the appointment of Dame Madeleine Alessandri as a climate security envoy, tasked with strengthening international partnerships and improving the identification of climate-related security risks.
However, the government’s domestic energy policies faced criticism from environmental organisations, particularly concerning the Jackdaw gas field and potential changes to electric vehicle sales targets. These concerns highlighted ongoing disagreements over how the UK should balance energy security, economic priorities and its climate commitments.
Over $480 Million Announced for Methane Reduction
One of the day’s major announcements came during the Leaders’ Level Methane and Other Non-CO₂ Greenhouse Gases Summit, co-hosted by Brazil, China and the UK. Philanthropic organisations committed more than $480 million in new funding to support reductions in methane and other pollutants.
The funding will support initiatives across energy, agriculture and waste management, including improved emissions monitoring and cleaner technologies. A further $25 million was announced to expand the Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator to seven additional developing countries.
The programme aims to help countries develop national emissions reduction strategies and secure investment for implementation.
New Developments in Fossil Fuel Methane Monitoring
Progress in identifying and reducing methane emissions from fossil fuel operations was also highlighted. The United Nations Environment Programme reported that satellite monitoring and cooperation with governments and operators had helped address major methane leaks.
The estimated climate impact of these interventions was equivalent to removing approximately 26 million cars from the road for one year. Meanwhile, Australia joined an international statement supporting substantial reductions in methane emissions from the global fossil fuel sector.
The International Energy Agency also highlighted that at least 75% of methane emissions from fossil fuel operations could be avoided using existing technologies.
Global Temperature Targets Face Further Scrutiny
New analysis presented during COP31 raised concerns about progress towards international temperature targets. Climate Action Tracker estimated that existing government policies could result in approximately 2.7°C of global warming by 2100.
Even with full implementation of current climate pledges, projected warming remains around 1.9°C, above the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target. Leaders from climate-vulnerable countries, including Barbados and the Marshall Islands, called for faster emissions reductions and greater financial support.
They emphasised the importance of limiting the duration and extent of any temporary exceedance of the 1.5°C threshold.
Infrastructure and Electrification Discussions Continue
Electricity networks and the infrastructure required to support electrification remained important topics. A high-level event on the Global Grids Accelerator examined how investment in electricity networks could improve energy security and support growing demand.
Discussions also addressed the importance of international cooperation in expanding reliable electricity access and integrating lower-carbon energy sources.
Separately, the UK and European Commission announced support for the Global SF₆ Pledge, an initiative targeting emissions of sulphur hexafluoride, a powerful greenhouse gas used in electrical equipment.
Climate Finance and Resilience Remain Priorities
The final day of the Leaders’ Summit also focused on financial support for countries facing significant climate risks. Pacific Island representatives continued discussions surrounding the Pacific Resilience Facility, which aims to finance locally led climate adaptation projects.
Meanwhile, a dedicated roundtable examined access to cleaner cooking technologies across Africa, where nearly one billion people continue to rely on polluting fuels and traditional cooking methods. Participants discussed how investment, infrastructure and international partnerships could improve access to cleaner energy while reducing emissions.
With the Antalya Leaders’ Summit concluded, attention now turns towards the ongoing negotiations between national delegations. The coming days will focus on translating political commitments into practical agreements, particularly around emissions reductions, energy transition and climate finance.
