Kurum, Bowen launch '35 by 35' initiative at COP31 in Antalya

Murat Kurum and Chris Bowen set summit agenda

Murat Kurum, the Turkish Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister, is the COP31 President. Kurum has declared the summit an "Implementation COP" and established three guiding principles for the Turkish presidency: "Dialogue. Consensus. Action.".

Turkey proposes 35 by 35 electrification pledge

This initiative aims to grow the global economy's electrification from approximately one-fifth to more than one-third.

The pledge relies on renewable energy, storage, efficiency, clean transport, and stronger grids. Kurum said, "We want people to feel the results of climate talks in daily life: in buildings that use less energy, in clean public transport, in energy they can afford and in new jobs.".

Turkey also launched the Climate Implementation Bridge, a mechanism designed to connect countries and projects seeking technology and investment with suitable partners. The bridge operates as a connection tool rather than a dedicated fund.

UN warns of warming threshold risks

The United Nations Environment Program reported in October 2026 that the world is on track to exceed the 1.5-degree Celsius warming threshold established in 2015.

Bowen said projected global warming has decreased from nearly 4C to approximately 2.6C since the Paris Agreement.

Stiell said that action on electrification and methane could serve as a "planetary icepack" capable of reducing projected global heating by half a degree.

Financial goals and clean energy investment

Global clean energy investment reached approximately $2.2 trillion last year, which was nearly twice the amount invested in fossil fuels, according to Bowen.

Emerging and developing economies, excluding China, received only 18% of worldwide clean energy investment in 2025 despite containing nearly two-thirds of the global population. Renewable energy projects in developing nations cost several times more to finance than those in wealthier countries.

Advocates demand fossil fuel phase-out

Reports describe the conference as too large, slow, and inefficient, leading to calls for a fundamental overhaul. The climate organization 350.org is urging governments to move away from fossil fuels and implement clear deadlines for climate action.

Climate advocates criticized the Turkish electrification pledge because it does not mandate that the additional electricity be generated from low-carbon sources. Campaigners from 350 Türkiye displayed a "Climate Justice, Now" banner at Antalya’s Kaleiçi Harbor to urge world leaders to prioritize people over fossil-fuel dependence.

Khamis urged COP31 to provide meaningful climate finance and firm commitments from major polluters rather than delaying decisions to future summits.

The organization also called for governments to implement measures such as lasting taxes on fossil-fuel profits to help pay for climate adaptation, recovery, and renewable energy investment.

Global energy trends and geopolitical challenges

Geopolitical tensions like the nine-month war involving Iran have disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, driving up global fuel prices. The United States administration under President Donald Trump is skipping these talks for the second consecutive year and is advocating for policies that maximize coal, gas, and oil production.

Some nations are increasing their use of coal. South Korea, Thailand, and India have either taken steps to increase coal-fired power generation or have increased their reliance on coal. John Holdren, a former science adviser to Barack Obama, noted that people who might have previously been embarrassed to advocate for high fossil fuel usage now feel empowered to do so.

Renewable energy deployment is increasing, driven by rising exports of affordable clean technology from China. Global solar power capacity increased by more than 600 gigawatts in 2025. Global battery storage capacity is currently 11 times higher than it was in 2021.

Stiell called for the tripling of global renewable energy capacity by 2030 and emphasized the need to strengthen power grids and accelerate methane reductions.

Turkey is asking summit participants to sign a pledge regarding the sustainable development and deployment of artificial intelligence. This technology is currently contributing to rising greenhouse gas emissions and increased global power demand. Approximately 600 million people across Africa currently do not have access to electricity.

Negotiating mandates and future summits

This approach aims to produce practical outcomes and avoid duplicating existing negotiations or creating lengthy political declarations.

The World Leaders Summit is scheduled for November 11–12, 2026, under the theme "Towards a Sustainable, Resilient and Equitable Future".

On November 3, 2026, the Brazilian COP30 Presidency released a voluntary roadmap for fossil-fuel commitments, though it is not a binding agreement or a negotiated COP decision. COP31 will initiate the second global stocktake, which is intended to assess collective progress toward the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement and is scheduled to conclude in 2028.

Ethiopia is scheduled to host the COP32 summit in Addis Ababa in 2027.