COP31 in Antalya: Three Decades of Climate Negotiations and Six Priorities for 2035
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More than three decades have passed since the first United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP) was held. During this period, international climate negotiations have led to the adoption of some of the most important agreements in this field, including the Kyoto Protocol, the Copenhagen Accord and the Paris Agreement. This year’s 31st conference is taking place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November, bringing together world leaders, experts and civil society representatives to discuss further steps in tackling climate change and implementing existing commitments.
As the host of COP31, Türkiye is a country significantly exposed to climate risks, while also seeking to advance its environmental protection and resource management policies. One of its best-known initiatives in this area is the national Zero Waste programme, launched in 2017, which has gradually gained an international dimension. At Türkiye’s proposal, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in 2022 designating 30 March as International Day of Zero Waste. The initiative focuses on reducing waste generation, improving recycling systems and promoting more efficient resource use.
Six Key Priorities and Targets for 2035
The COP31 Presidency’s Action Agenda identifies six priority areas, with targets to be achieved by 2035:
- Electrification: Increasing the share of electricity in total final energy consumption to at least 35 per cent globally.
- Zero Waste and Methane Emissions Reduction: Halving the projected growth in municipal solid waste generation, while improving waste management systems and promoting the circular economy.
- Resilient Cities and Buildings: Reducing energy intensity in the buildings sector by at least 25 per cent.
- Green Industrialisation: Increasing the global share of circular material use in manufacturing and industry to at least 15 per cent.
- Raising Awareness Across All Sectors: Integrating climate-resilient agricultural practices and climate change education across all segments of society.
- Climate Implementation Mechanism: Expanding the Climate Implementation Bridge to accelerate the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and support the development of investment-ready project portfolios.
These priorities form part of the COP31 Presidency’s Action Agenda, which aims to translate existing climate commitments into concrete action and measurable results.
New UN Platform for Climate Risk Financing
One of the significant concrete steps taken during the first days of COP31 was the launch of a joint platform by United Nations agencies for disaster risk financing (UN Disaster Risk Financing Platform).
The initiative, involving six UN agencies, aims to provide access to more than USD 3 billion in climate risk financing by 2030, helping protect 75 million people and their livelihoods from climate shocks and natural hazards.
The new platform has three main objectives:
- making disaster response financing more predictable;
- increasing the availability of funding for early action before and during major crises;
- maximising the impact of available resources by combining existing funding with private-sector support.
The platform will enable UN agencies to exchange expertise and data, coordinate joint activities and improve the implementation of pre-arranged financing mechanisms, ensuring that funds are available before disasters cause major damage.
The launch of this initiative further highlights the importance of preparedness and preventive action in addressing climate risks, rather than relying exclusively on financial assistance after disasters occur.
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