UN chief António Guterres called for a new global climate justice agreement at COP31 on Wednesday, urging governments to tax fossil fuel companies to help countries bearing the brunt of a crisis they did little to cause. His appeal came as world leaders gathered in Antalya amid unresolved questions over climate finance and the future of fossil fuels.
Today saw packed corridors at the COP31 conference venue in Antalya as world leaders arrived for a two-day high-level Summit, bringing tighter security, road closures and an early start for delegates, some of whom reached the venue as early as 5 a.m.
Those who arrived before dawn were rewarded with a spectacular sunrise. Later, at the opening ceremony, traditional Turkish dancing, colourful performances, videos and even a COP31 theme song gave the opening ceremony an unusually festive air for a gathering confronting one of the world’s most pressing crises.
But the day’s most memorable message came from the Secretary-General, who accused polluters of delaying action, and once again warned that the climate crisis is advancing faster than global efforts to contain it.
“Our planet is heating up. The clock is winding down. It’s make or bake time,” he said, reminding world leaders that even if current national plans are fully implemented, the planet is heading towards more than 2.5°C of warming by…
