On Monday, the 31th UN climate summit COP31 kicked off in the Turkish city of Antalya. The conference will run until 20 November and will bring together representatives of nearly 200 countries to discuss adaptation to the effects of climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, climate finance and a just transition.
Turkey is hosting the summit, while Australia is responsible for conducting the formal negotiations. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan opened the event. According to the Turkish Ministry of Environment, 37 heads of state, 35 heads of government and representatives of 95 countries are expected to take part.
For the second year in a row, there is no official US delegation at COP31. Donald Trump's administration has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement for the second time, and the White House said the summit "rejects reality," ignoring how "extremist climate policies are destroying countries."
Instead of federal participation, more than 120 representatives of states and cities have come to Antalya. The delegation is led by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, former EPA head Gina McCarthy and the mayors of Palo Alto and Raleigh. They represent the U.S. Climate Alliance and America Is All In coalitions.
In addition, a group of 19 US Congress members led by Democrat Sean Casten has arrived in Turkey. The lawmakers intend to maintain contacts with international partners despite Washington's absence from the negotiating table.
Many world leaders did not come either: among those absent are the presidents of the United States, China and India, as well as the leaders of France, Germany and Canada. Only a few G20 heads will speak at the summit.
How will the absence of a key player affect the outcome of the negotiations? The question remains open, but subnational US delegations emphasize that millions of Americans continue to support climate goals.
The negotiations in Antalya are focused on the practical implementation of commitments already adopted. Turkey is promoting ideas of electrification and heat pumps, while Australia is leading the discussion process.
