COP31 adopts climate finance work programme; proposals for adaptation funding, trade measures dropped
Down To Earth · Published 10 November 2026 · Last updated
The 31st Conference of the Parties adopted a standalone Climate Finance Work Programme while dropping proposals on tripling adaptation finance and trade measures amid sharp divisions between developed and developing countries.
Key points
- The opening plenary of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted a contentious agenda in Antalya, Turkey, on November 9, 2026.
- Delegates successfully adopted a standalone Climate Finance Work Programme, fulfilling a key demand of developing countries including India, despite objections from the European Union.
- Proposals for separate discussions on tripling adaptation finance and climate-related trade measures were dropped from the final agenda during the negotiations.
- The Green Climate Fund funding will be discussed under an existing agenda item, while its seventh review was deferred to COP32.
- The newly adopted work programme provides a dedicated space to examine the implementation of Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement regarding financial resources.
- The African Group had initially sought the inclusion of three separate issues covering adaptation finance, trade and climate change, and fund support.
- The COP31 presidency proposed handling mountains and climate change through consultations and a potential research dialogue alongside the 66th session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice.
- The European Union argued that the COP30 decision in Brazil had not established a separate agenda item and that the programme had an agreed scope to conclude within two years.
Background
- The Climate Finance Work Programme stems from the Global Mutirão decision adopted at COP30 in Brazil, which established a two-year work programme on climate finance.
- The New Collective Quantified Goal was agreed at COP29 in Baku in 2024, calling on developed countries to mobilise at least $300 billion annually for developing nations by 2035.
- International public adaptation finance from developed to developing countries reached $28.2 billion to $31.7 billion in 2024, according to the UNEP Adaptation Gap Report 2026.
- Developing countries face annual adaptation needs estimated at $305 billion by 2035, highlighting a widening gap with available international funding.
Prelims facts and Mains angle for this issue are in the full SWAदेSH note.
Original report: Down To Earth