KABUL (Pajhwok): The 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) opens in the Turkish city of Antalya on Monday, bringing together representatives from 196 countries for two weeks of discussions on climate change.
Reuters reported that the summit is taking place amid several major challenges, including the US war with Iran and its impact on energy security, rising electricity demand driven by the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI), and reduced US engagement in international climate cooperation.
Türkiye is hosting this year’s summit, while Australia is leading the formal negotiations. The United States has not sent an official government delegation to the conference, according to the report.
Representatives from 196 countries are expected to attend the conference. Around 91 heads of state and government have confirmed their participation, while nearly 300 ministers are also expected to take part, the report said.
Türkiye has urged participating countries to support a commitment to increase electricity’s share of global final energy consumption from just over 20 per cent currently to 35 per cent by 2035.
The proposed target involves expanding the use of electric vehicles, heating systems, cooking appliances and other equipment that currently rely on fossil fuels.
Meanwhile, a coalition of countries, including Pacific island nations particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, is calling for a clearer global roadmap to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
In contrast, several oil- and gas-producing countries, including Saudi Arabia, argue that fossil fuels can remain a substantial part of the global energy mix, provided technologies are used to reduce or capture emissions.
The Reuters report also referred to an October assessment by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which warned that the world was on course to exceed the 1.5-degree Celsius global warming threshold above pre-industrial levels set under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
The summit comes as countries prepare to discuss reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding clean energy, cutting dependence on fossil fuels and strengthening international climate commitments over the next two weeks.
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