The COP 31 climate summit will kick off on the Turkish coast of the Mediterranean on Monday, with the participation of representatives from about 200 countries, to discuss ways to combat global warming in the midst of a global energy crisis exacerbated by the American war on Iran, the escalating repercussions of artificial intelligence, and the continued absence of American cooperation for the second year in a row. Turkey's presidency at the UN-sponsored summit this year focuses on the goal of supplying more than a third of the global economy with electricity by 2035, and asks countries to sign a pledge that supports this goal.

Published on: 09/11/2026 - 08:37

The two-week COP 31 climate summit will open in Turkey on Monday with the participation of delegations from about 200 countries, amid increasing pressure that threatens global climate goals, as the American war on Iran has led to an international race for oil and coal, in parallel with jumps in energy consumption as a result of the technical boom in artificial intelligence, and the United States continues to withdraw from international efforts.

The American war on Iran has caused countries to race to obtain oil shipments and operate coal plants, in addition to the rapid spread of artificial intelligence increasing the demand for energy, and the countries in the world that cause the most emissions of greenhouse gases throughout history are avoiding climate cooperation for the second year in a row.

Read also: At the COP31 summit, Turkey bets on electric energy and ignores abandoning coal

Observers say that all of this has created a difficult environment that will complicate the efforts of Türkiye, host of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), to reach a strong agreement. "It's hard to be optimistic," said John Holdren, a professor of environmental policy at Harvard University.

Türkiye's presidency of the UN-sponsored conference this year focuses on the goal of supplying more than a third of the global economy with electricity by 2035, up from about a fifth currently.

Türkiye asks countries to sign a pledge that supports this goal.

This target could theoretically help reduce greenhouse emissions by accelerating the global transition away from fossil fuel-powered vehicles, ovens, boilers, cookstoves and other equipment that emit greenhouse gases.

But climate campaigners have criticized the pledge because it does not require additional electricity to come from low-carbon sources. This led to early debate over whether providing electricity alone constituted climate progress.

A coalition of countries, including South Pacific island nations most vulnerable to sea level rise, is generally seeking to develop a clearer global roadmap for moving away from fossil fuels, a perennially controversial topic at climate summits.

Many oil and gas producing countries, including Saudi Arabia, say that fossil fuels can continue to constitute a large part of the global energy mix in a world shifting toward the use of clean energy, provided that they are combined with technologies that reduce or capture emissions.

Pressure is growing for faster action on climate change.

The tragedy of war and the complexities of technology

A report issued by the United Nations Environment Program in October stated that the world is on a path to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the threshold set by the Paris climate summit in 2015.

2026 also witnessed a series of severe heat waves across Western Europe and the collapse of a glacier in Nepal, causing a catastrophic flood that killed more than 1,450 people, while thousands are still missing.

“This year has proven to be one of the years with the highest death toll due to climate-related disasters,” said Manjit Dhall, LDC Group Advisor and South Asia Director at Climate Analytics.

The war on Iran highlighted the extent of the world's dependence on fossil fuels, as did the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing sanctions on Moscow's energy exports.

Some believe that the disruptions caused by wars have also demonstrated the benefits of switching to renewable energy sources.

The war on Iran, now in its ninth month, has severely disrupted Middle East oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, raising fuel prices around the world and prompting governments to search for new supplies.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has encouraged policies aimed at maximizing oil, gas and coal production to address unrest in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, South Korea, India, Thailand and other Asian countries have increased their reliance on coal or taken steps to boost coal-fired power generation.

"Many may have previously felt embarrassed to defend the continued use of very large fossil fuels, but they now feel more confident in making this argument," Holdren said.

Meanwhile, the use of renewable energy has also risen, driven by growing exports of cheap clean technology from China, delighting advocates of ambitious climate action.

"The war has reinforced the need to accelerate the energy transition. The United States is somewhat of an exception in this regard," said Andre Correa do Lago, a Brazilian diplomat who chaired last year's climate conference.

Artificial intelligence increases the level of complexity

The rapid spread of technology is dramatically increasing global demand for electricity, contributing to rising greenhouse gas emissions. But its benefits seem irresistibly tempting, even for climate and environmental groups.

During its hosting of the conference, Türkiye will call on governments, companies and other institutions to sign a pledge setting principles to ensure the development and deployment of artificial intelligence in a sustainable manner.

Business representatives said they wanted only one thing from the COP31 conference, which is clarity.

“Implementation cannot remain just a slogan or left to voluntary initiatives,” said ICC Secretary General John Denton. “COP31 must send clear policy signals that give businesses the confidence to invest in electrification, the broader energy transition, and turn adaptation needs into bankable projects.”

France 24/Reuters

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