The Conference of Parties (COP) has evolved into a complex diplomatic system over the past three decades, with its first meeting held in Berlin in 1995. At the time, the scientific community had just begun to assess the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on global temperatures. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted in 1992, recognizing that climate change is a shared challenge for humanity that no single country can face alone.
The Kyoto Protocol, established in 1997, marked a significant milestone in climate diplomacy by setting binding emission targets for industrialized countries. However, it also revealed the challenges of imposing a uniform reduction system on countries with different economic structures and energy sources. The Copenhagen conference in 2009 aimed to achieve a comprehensive agreement but fell short of expectations. Despite this, it highlighted the need for greater ambition and the importance of financing and adaptation in climate action.
The Paris Agreement in 2015 reconfigured the global climate system by introducing a new framework where countries submit nationally determined contributions based on their specific circumstances. The agreement set a goal to limit global warming to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This goal has become a reference point for subsequent conferences, including the Glasgow and Sharm El-Sheikh meetings, which emphasized the need for concrete actions and climate justice.
The Glasgow Climate Pact in 2021 called for countries to implement policies to reduce emissions, phase down coal, and transition to clean energy. The Sharm El-Sheikh conference in 2022 took a significant step towards climate justice by establishing a fund for loss and damage, acknowledging the responsibility of developed countries towards developing nations. These developments reflect a shift in focus from negotiating targets to implementing concrete actions.
Recent COPs have highlighted the importance of energy transition, climate finance, and implementation. The COP in Dubai in 2023 resulted in an agreement to gradually phase out fossil fuels, while the COP in Baku in 2024 focused on the complexities of climate finance. The upcoming COP in Belem in 2025 is expected to emphasize the need for concrete projects and financing mechanisms to achieve national climate targets.
Turkey will host COP31 in Antalya, bringing together countries to discuss the implementation of climate actions. The conference aims to shift the focus from pledges to concrete actions, with a emphasis on dialogue, consensus, and implementation. The Turkish government has outlined a vision for the conference, which includes enhancing national contributions, mobilizing climate finance, and supporting climate resilience.
The success of COP31 will be measured by the progress made in implementing climate actions, rather than just the quality of the negotiated text. The conference will test the collective will of countries to translate their commitments into concrete actions. As the world looks to Antalya, it is clear that the next phase of climate diplomacy will require a renewed focus on cooperation, implementation, and accountability.
Key points
- Turkey to host COP31 in Antalya, aiming to shift focus from pledges to implementation in global climate diplomacy.
- The conference aims to enhance national contributions, mobilize climate finance, and support climate resilience.
- The success of COP31 will be measured by progress in implementing climate actions.
