World leaders open COP31 negotiations in Turkey
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Tribune Online
World leaders have begun high-level discussions at COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, on emissions, climate finance and adaptation. António Guterres is notably calling for reduced dependence on fossil fuels and increased aid for vulnerable countries, according to Tribune Online.
Leaders attending COP31, the UN’s annual climate conference, began high-level discussions on Wednesday 11 November in Antalya, Turkey. The talks focus in particular on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, climate finance and the adaptation of vulnerable countries, according to Tribune Online.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on governments to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, strengthen adaptation measures and increase financial support for developing countries facing global warming. He also proposed a "Climate Justice Compact", based on the sharing of responsibilities, security and benefits.
The United States, China and India were not planning to send their heads of state or government to the leaders' summit, despite their weight in global greenhouse gas emissions. Mohamed Adow, director of the African think tank Power Shift Africa, said the world’s major economies needed to take greater leadership in climate action.
A climate performance index published by Germanwatch and the New Climate Institute also highlights a growing gap between countries' climate commitments and their actual emissions reductions. Jan Burck of Germanwatch said collective efforts remained insufficient to avoid catastrophic climate change.
