COP31 leaders call for stronger climate action in Antalya

World leaders at the COP31 climate conference in Antalya called for stronger action to curb global warming, as a new climate performance index reported a widening gap between national pledges and emissions cuts. The talks began amid concerns that geopolitical conflicts and other pressures are diverting attention from climate policy, while the conference’s eventual commitments remain uncertain.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres urged leaders to act, saying emissions reached all-time highs in 2025. He outlined priorities for negotiations including reducing reliance on fossil fuels, adapting to a warmer world, increasing financial support for countries facing climate impacts and strengthening cooperation.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said climate change had slipped from the global leadership agenda as wars, inflation and geopolitical conflicts took precedence. He urged governments to work together and pledged to protect the Amazon. His remarks echoed a concern raised by other leaders that climate action is competing with immediate political and economic pressures.

The annual climate performance index published by Germanwatch and the New Climate Institute said...