COP31 leaders warn conflicts must not derail climate action

Leaders at the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Turkey, warned Wednesday that wars and trade disputes must not distract from global efforts to combat climate change, as negotiators prepared to draft a new agreement. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan urged focus on climate action, with Lula stating the planet cannot be at the mercy of hegemonic struggles. Turkey is pushing for a goal to expand electrification to 35% of global energy use by 2035, though critics say this lacks a clear plan to reduce fossil fuels. The US and Israeli war on Iran has disrupted oil supplies and raised fuel prices, while a UN report says the world is on course to breach the 1.5°C warming limit. The United States skipped the talks for a second year, and several G7 leaders were absent.