COP31 must turn climate promises into practical action

November 10, 2026

The opening of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, has once again brought the world face to face with an uncomfortable truth: climate change is advancing faster than the global response to it. World leaders have made ambitious promises over the years, but the gap between commitments and action remains wide. For developing countries, which contribute less to global emissions but face some of the worst effects of climate change, this failure carries a heavy cost.

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell has rightly called for a shift from promises to practical action. The falling cost of renewable energy offers a strong reason to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels. Yet progress remains too slow. Countries must invest in renewable energy, improve electricity networks and reduce their dependence on polluting fuels. The benefits are not limited to the environment. Clean energy can also reduce fuel costs, improve energy security and create economic opportunities.

However, the climate crisis cannot be addressed through energy transition alone. Developing countries need substantial financial support to protect their people from floods, droughts, water shortages and extreme weather. The annual climate finance target of $300 billion by 2035 is important, but the real question is whether this money will reach the countries and communities that need it most. Financial commitments must not remain figures in international declarations.

COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum has described the summit as an ‘Implementation COP’, built around dialogue, consensus and action. This is a welcome ambition, but its success will depend on measurable results. The proposed Climate Implementation Bridge, which aims to connect investors with climate projects, could help turn plans into reality. It must, however, ensure that poorer countries are not burdened with unsustainable debt.

Climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern. It threatens food supplies, public health, economies and national security. No country can escape its consequences, although the poorest are often the least equipped to deal with them.

COP31 must therefore be judged not by the speeches delivered in Antalya but by the action that follows. The world has had enough declarations. What it needs now is climate finance, accountability and cooperation that produce visible results.