COP31 opens in Türkiye as rich and developing nations clash over climate finance

COP31 opened in Antalya, Türkiye, on November 9 with immediate clashes between developed and developing nations over climate finance and trade, delaying adoption of the summit's formal agenda. Developing countries, led by the G77 and China, pushed to discuss developed nations' obligations under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement to provide climate finance, while the EU and Umbrella Group resisted. Developed countries provided $136.7 billion in climate finance in 2024, below the $300 billion annual target agreed for 2035. The summit faces a difficult backdrop of high fossil fuel prices, European fiscal pressures, and record temperatures, with 2015-2026 set to be the warmest 12 years on record. Türkiye's presidency focuses on implementation, including a voluntary "35 by 35" electrification target, while India has kept a low profile without a national pavilion.