COP31 in Turkey: Key Stakes and Obstacles

The 31st UN Climate Conference (COP31) opens in Antalya, Turkey, on November 9, 2026, as the world faces escalating climate disasters while being distracted by wars and crises. Delegates have two weeks to forge a strategy to combat global warming. Current UN projections show the world is on track for 2.8 degrees Celsius of warming by century's end, far exceeding the Paris Agreement's 1.5-degree target. Global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, and experts warn of an "unmanageable future" without urgent action. The conference features a new dual-presidency arrangement between Turkey and Australia, while Germany faces criticism for missing climate goals and Chancellor Friedrich Merz's absence. China and Saudi Arabia remain key actors to watch, though renewable energy markets are growing positively.