UN climate summit opens in Turkey amid global crises and extreme weather

Summary

The UN climate summit COP31 opened on Monday in Antalya, Turkey, with world leaders, delegates and climate activists gathering for the talks. Leaders urged the world to "move faster" on climate as rising temperatures and worsening climate-driven disasters intensify. The Financial Times describes a 'terrible backdrop' of various global crises looming over the summit and expects it to focus on getting previous deals acted upon rather than making bold new commitments. Deutsche Welle reports that droughts, floods and extreme heat are adding pressure on delegates and asks whether countries can move beyond pledges to concrete action. ABC News reports that the gathering follows a disastrous year of extreme weather.

Timeline

1. Financial Times

   8 Nov 2026, 05:00 UTCSource ↗

   Says a 'terrible backdrop' of various global crises looms over the UN climate summit in Turkey, and expects this year's COP to be about getting previous deals acted upon rather than making bold commitments.

2. Deutsche Welle

   8 Nov 2026, 05:55 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that droughts, floods and extreme heat are increasing pressure on delegates at the UN climate talks in Antalya, Turkey, and asks whether countries can move beyond pledges to concrete action.

3. Straits Times

   9 Nov 2026, 01:08 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that COP31 leaders urged the world to "move faster" on climate amid rising temperatures and worsening climate-driven disasters, as the annual meeting began in Turkey on Monday.

4. ABC News

   9 Nov 2026, 10:42 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that world leaders, delegates and climate activists are in Antalya, Turkey, for the U.N. climate summit after a disastrous year of extreme weather.