COP31: Negotiations get underway in Antalya

From Monday 9 November, COP31 (the 31st Conference of the Parties) to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) will bring together nations in Antalya, Turkey.

One year on from COP30 in Belém, the situation is cause for concern. In its report *Limiting Overshoot*, the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) warns that the target of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C is unlikely to be met. With global warming already approaching 1.4 °C, even the full implementation of current climate commitments (NDCs) would lead to a peak of at least 1.8 °C.

The challenge now, therefore, is to limit this overshoot as much as possible, and then to set temperatures on a downward trajectory to return below the 1.5 °C threshold before the end of the century. This approach, known as ‘Overshoot, Peak and Decline’, relies in particular on strengthening natural carbon sinks and preserving terrestrial and marine ecosystems, which are essential for regulating the climate.

The kick off

The conference is taking place from 9 to 20 November 2026 in Antalya, Turkey, with negotiations set to begin on Monday 9 November. The Leaders’ Summit, scheduled for 11 and 12 November, is a highlight of this first week.

This COP is unique in that it is based on an unprecedented partnership between two countries. Turkey is hosting the conference and holding the presidency, with Murat Kurum, the Turkish Minister for the Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change. Australia, for its part, is chairing the official negotiations, led by its Minister for Climate and Energy, Chris Bowen.

Right from the start, the message is clear: to move from dialogue to action. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, called on states to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and to reduce methane emissions.

However, the conference is taking place against a particularly tense backdrop, characterised by an increase in extreme weather events, geopolitical tensions and persistent disagreements over the distribution of financial contributions between rich and developing countries.

The main challenges in Antalya

It all hinges on one question: how can we turn climate commitments into tangible results?

Several key areas are dominating the discussions:

The phase-out of fossil fuels. How can we accelerate the energy transition and reduce our dependence on coal, oil and gas? The Turkish presidency is placing electrification at the heart of the discussions with its ‘35 by 35’ target, which aims to increase the share of electricity in final energy consumption to 35 per cent by 2035. But this transition must not come at any price: the extraction of the necessary metals can lead to pollution, ecosystem degradation and violations of local communities’ rights. The energy transition must therefore also respect the environment and human rights.

Climate finance. Who should fund the transition and adaptation, and how? The most vulnerable countries are calling for funding commensurate with the damage they are suffering, even though they are often the least responsible for global warming. The challenge is therefore twofold: to increase funding, but also to ensure that it actually reaches the people who need it. This requires, in particular, new financial tools and the development of global insurance mechanisms to better cope with climate-related disasters.

Adaptation. How can we protect communities from the already visible consequences of climate change? Discussions are focusing in particular on indicators for measuring progress, the resilience of cities, food security and water management.

Climate justice. How can we transform our economies without leaving the most vulnerable people behind? Beyond the energy transition, climate justice must also guide adaptation policies. This summer’s wildfires and heatwaves have reminded us once again that we are not all equal in the face of climate change. The most vulnerable communities and regions must be given priority when it comes to access to funding and protective measures.

The Turkish presidency has also announced ten key priorities for this COP, including the energy transition, reducing waste and methane emissions, resilient cities, food security, the oceans and youth. The day dedicated to youth and education will take place on 14 November.

Countries have until 20 November to reach agreements. However, the discussions are set to be challenging: disagreements persist over funding, countries’ historical responsibilities for global warming and the role of fossil fuels. These issues serve as a reminder that international cooperation remains essential, yet difficult to achieve.

Young people’s future is at stake

Climate change is not some distant crisis: its consequences are already upon us and will have a direct impact on our future. It is therefore essential that young people are able to take part in the discussions, not just to be consulted, but also to make a genuine contribution to the negotiations. After all, the decisions taken today will shape the world in which we will live tomorrow. We must therefore be able to make our voices heard, and this begins with giving young people a greater role at the COPs: being present, following the negotiations, understanding the decisions being made and taking part in the discussions.

All the more so as young people are already widely mobilised around environmental issues, and this commitment transcends borders. Through the JAE, we work with youth organisations all over the world, from India to Canada, via the United Kingdom and Morocco. Everywhere, young people share this same realisation: they will have to live with the consequences of the decisions taken today, but also ensure their continuity when they, in turn, take on responsibilities. This collective strength, fuelled by a diversity of experiences and perspectives, is a real catalyst for change that it would be a shame not to harness.

Giving young people a greater voice also means breathing new life into the COPs and helping to rebuild a bond of trust between young people and politics, and between these international meetings and the generations who will inherit them. The creation of the role of Presidency Youth Climate Champion is, in this respect, an encouraging first step. The challenge now is to turn this ambition into concrete action, so that young people’s participation is no longer merely a token gesture, but is fully integrated into decision-making processes.

The JAE delegation on site

Our young ambassadors, Emma Bastien and Bryan Çavas, will represent the JAE on the ground in Antalya.

On the agenda for this COP:

• following the official negotiations and working groups to understand how future agreements are shaped;

• attending side events, particularly those focusing on youth, education, biodiversity and the oceans;

• meeting with scientists, organisations, civil society representatives and negotiators;

• giving a voice to young people and bridging the gap between international discussions and the realities on the ground.

Young people have a place in these forums. And they must be able to help shape the world of tomorrow.