COP31 opens in Turkey as wars and AI threaten climate goals

Nearly 200 countries gather Monday in Turkey for COP31 climate talks, with wars, surging AI-driven electricity demand, and US disengagement complicating efforts to combat global warming. The US-Iran war is driving competition for oil cargoes and coal plant restarts, while rapid AI deployment boosts power demand. The US, the largest historical emitter, is withdrawing from climate cooperation for a second year, creating a difficult context for host Turkey to secure a strong agreement. Turkey's presidency focuses on electrifying over a third of the global economy by 2035, but critics note the pledge lacks a requirement for low-carbon electricity sources. A coalition of Pacific island nations pushes for a clearer global roadmap to phase out fossil fuels, a recurring contentious issue.