OMM Newsroom
On the second day of COP31 in Turkey, Tuesday, emissions reductions and climate finance were central topics of discussion. Developing countries called on wealthy nations to provide more financial support.
Nearly 200 countries’ delegations have gathered at the Antalya EXPO Center, AnewZ reports. The meetings are taking place amid warnings that national climate policies are not sufficient to limit global warming.
A recent report by the United Nations Environment Programme said the Paris Agreement goal of keeping the rise in global average temperatures to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels is likely to be exceeded.
Attention is now focused on how far temperatures may exceed that threshold, how long the overshoot may last and how quickly emissions can be reduced. Jasper Inventor, head of the Greenpeace delegation at COP31, said governments must acknowledge the likelihood of an overshoot and work to minimize its scale and duration.
“We expect a lot of discussion about climate change at this summit,” Inventor said. The summit, which began on Monday in Antalya, Turkey, is the first COP meeting since the UN report issued its warning.
Turkey aims to increase electricity’s share
Turkey, which is presiding over COP31, has proposed increasing electricity’s share of total energy consumption from about 20% to 35% by 2035. The initiative aims to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels in transport, heating and industry.
Climate activists warn that electrification can significantly reduce emissions only if electricity increasingly comes from renewable and other low-carbon sources.
Climate finance divides negotiators
Developing countries have called for more support to cut emissions, adapt to climate change and address the consequences of disasters. They have stressed the importance of providing it without creating unsustainable debt burdens.
According to Inventor, wealthy and developing countries disagreed over whether to include an agreed work program on climate finance on the summit agenda. Wealthy nations initially opposed the move, while developing countries pushed for the program to be added.
Inventor called the program’s inclusion “a good first step.” However, he said this did not guarantee agreement on the amount of funding, its sources or how it would be allocated.
The gap between climate finance needs and available funding remains wide. According to UN estimates, developed countries provided about $28.2 billion in climate adaptation finance in 2024. Developing countries may need $305 billion annually.
On Tuesday, discussions centered on energy and transport, considered key sectors in efforts to reduce global emissions. COP31 will continue through November 20, and national leaders are expected to gather for a high-level summit on Wednesday.
