COP31 president urges nations to turn climate pledges into action

The COP31 UN climate summit opened Monday in Antalya, Turkey, with president Murat Kurum urging nations to convert climate pledges into concrete action, framing the event as an "implementation COP" while reaffirming the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target. The World Meteorological Organization reported the past 12 years were the warmest on record, with 2023-2026 ranking as the top four, and global temperatures from January-September 2026 averaging 1.47°C above pre-industrial levels, likely rising under a strengthening El Nino. Kurum highlighted Turkey's "35-by-35" electrification pledge, while UN climate chief Simon Stiell noted renewables saved $265 billion in the first half of 2026. The summit runs November 9-20, with Turkey holding the COP Presidency and Australia serving as President for Negotiations. WMO chief Celeste Saulo cautioned the report predates El Nino's full impact, noting ocean heat release amplifies warming.