UN chief warns world is entering 'age of climate extremes' as COP31 opens in Turkey

Summary

UN chief Antonio Guterres warned that the world is entering an 'age of climate extremes' and urged world leaders to 'get serious' as the COP31 climate conference opened in Turkey. Negotiators had been locked in discussions late on November 8 over demands by developing nations. The warning came as the UN's World Meteorological Organization released a report indicating that 2026 has continued a streak of exceptional global temperatures, melting ice and rising sea levels. The UN climate chief said global action is 'nowhere near fast or fair enough' and urged countries at COP31 to turn existing promises into practical measures.

Timeline

1. The Hindu

   9 Nov 2026, 07:58 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that the UN chief said the world is entering an 'age of climate extremes' as the World Meteorological Organization released a report showing that 2026 has continued a streak of exceptional global temperatures, melting ice and rising sea levels.

2. RTÉ

   9 Nov 2026, 08:02 UTCSource ↗

   RTÉ reports that the UN climate chief warned global action is 'nowhere near fast or fair enough' and urged countries at COP31 to turn existing promises into practical measures.

3. The Straits Times

   9 Nov 2026, 08:15 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that UN chief Antonio Guterres urged leaders to 'get serious' as COP31 was set to open, after negotiators had been locked in discussions late on November 8 over demands by developing nations.