“If we’re going to be successful in addressing the issue of climate change, it has to be an all of society approach,” said Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda, according to Minderoo.
World leaders will gather in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9–20 November 2026 for COP31, the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference. The summit aims to turn collective momentum into practical outcomes on fossil fuel transition and electrification.
Preparatory meetings have already shaped the agenda, including the Pacific Pre-COP hosted in Fiji and Tuvalu and Global Citizen NOW in Perth, Australia.
Antalya Summit Focuses on Implementation
Leaders at COP31 will work through how to transition away from fossil fuels, accelerate electrification, protect natural carbon sinks and mobilise investment. The conference runs from 9–20 November 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye.
The Pacific Pre-COP in Fiji and Tuvalu reinforced Pacific leadership in shaping the international climate agenda. A key theme was implementation, including how governments, industry, investors and civil society can translate commitments into action.
Browne Prioritizes 1.5° Target and Finance
Prime Minister Gaston Browne said multilateralism is essential to mobilise funding and advocacy. “It is essential that there’s no further overshoot of the 1.5° target,” he said, calling for increased ambitions and emissions reductions.
Browne also urged that vulnerability be used as a metric to determine assistance for small island states, alongside concessional funding and increased support for loss and damage.
Australia Champions 35×35 Renewable Goal
Australia has endorsed the 35×35 initiative, which aims to increase renewable electricity’s share of final energy consumption from 23 per cent to 35 per cent by 2035. The Turkish COP31 Presidency is championing the target alongside Australia.
“If we can achieve real momentum towards that goal at COP31 in Türkiye this year, that will be an incredible step forward for decarbonising the global economy,” said Luke Menzel of the Energy Efficiency Council.
Green Industry Offers Export Opportunity
Experts at Global Citizen NOW: Perth highlighted Australia’s potential in electrification, green exports and low-carbon fuels. “Australia has a really fortunate opportunity to be a major player in a future green energy trade,” said Baethan Mullen of The Superpower Institute.
Heidi Lee of Beyond Zero Emissions emphasised working with regional communities to decarbonise industrial centres. “Today, so many of our industrial facilities are powered by fossil fuels, but we have the technology to electrify these same facilities and power them with renewables,” she said.
Youth Advocate Highlights Australian Leadership
Kal Glanznig, COP31 Youth Ocean Advocate, said Australia is essential to leading into COP31. “When I think about the future of climate action, based on what I’ve been hearing here at Global Citizen NOW, the future of climate action is right here in Australia,” Glanznig said.
COP31 represents a critical juncture for converting the momentum from Perth and the Pacific into practical outcomes on emissions and finance.
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