The COP31 climate talks commenced earlier this week in Turkey amid growing global pressure to combat climate change, highlighted by severe heatwaves and wildfires in Europe, as well as deadly floods in Nepal over the past year. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres took center stage, addressing world leaders with a strong message on the need to eliminate fossil fuel dependence.
During his remarks, Guterres criticized oil and gas interests for obstructing climate action and emphasized that “fossil fuels must go the way of the dinosaurs.” He noted that while the extinction of dinosaurs was natural, the transition away from fossil fuels requires active commitment, as fossil fuel industries maintain powerful lobbying efforts.
“The brutal truth is that the climate crisis is outrunning us,” Guterres stated to a gathering of world leaders at the expo center in Antalya. However, expectations for significant advancements during the COP31 discussions, which will continue until November 20, remain low, particularly as countries face geopolitical tensions and an ongoing oil price shock.
In his speech, Guterres demanded that governments impose taxes on the substantial profits of oil companies, highlighting that while fossil fuel interests prosper, the environment continues to deteriorate. He remarked, “Their strategy is simple: Distort the science. Delay the policy. Delay the action. Delay the accountability. It’s time to kick the habit – and end the fossil fuel addiction,” which received applause from attendees.
This will be Guterres’s last climate summit before his term as secretary-general concludes in December. Despite notable absences among world leaders, including many from the G7, important figures like Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are expected to participate in the high-level segment of the talks.
Experts have expressed concern over the absence of major European leaders, with E3G climate diplomacy expert Cosima Cassel stating that it is disappointing for Europe to not be more prominently represented at this critical summit. EU Climate Chief Wopke Hoekstra remarked that such absences are not uncommon, although public anticipation for COP31 is relatively muted.
Host country Turkey is promoting a voluntary initiative aimed at accelerating the electrification of various sectors, with a goal to increase electricity’s share of global energy consumption to 35 percent by 2035. However, there may be debates surrounding the roles of oil, gas, and coal within this framework.
Additionally, Iranian official Masoud Pezeshkian announced plans to address environmental destruction linked to conflicts involving the United States and Israel at the conference. Notable absences were also noted from leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
