COP31: Why climate summits still matter, even as the world misses its targets
Indian Express - Explained · Published 10 November 2026 · Last updated
COP31 in Antalya is proceeding despite the 1.5°C target being scientifically declared unattainable, shifting focus to incremental decarbonisation and climate finance.
Key points
- The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released reports stating the window to limit warming to 1.5°C is firmly shut, with the new best-case scenario being 1.7-1.8°C.
- COP31 began on November 9, 2026, in Antalya, Turkey, and will run until November 20, marking the annual UN Climate Change Conference.
- The conference is expected to focus on building upon decisions from the previous COP in Brazil, rather than achieving a breakthrough on the unattainable 1.5°C target.
- The United States has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, leaving the remaining global community to manage the process.
- Nepal was promised US$ 20 million from the newly established Loss and Damage Fund for recovery after August flash floods, highlighting the fund's operational role.
- COP decisions are made through consensus, meaning there is no mechanism to force laggard nations to increase their climate action or meet specific targets.
- The gap between required emissions reductions and actual national actions has widened, leading to a shift in expectations where preventing backsliding is considered a success.
- Developing countries view the COP process as the only international forum where they can demand accountability and funding from the developed world without strings attached.
- The Paris Agreement of 2015 is cited as the most significant success of the last two decades, defining broad rules for international climate action.
- Critics argue the Paris Agreement allowed developed nations to escape the strict responsibilities previously imposed by the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
- Climate change has largely disappeared from the agendas of other major global forums due to wars and technological threats, making COP the sole dedicated global stage.
- Countries are increasingly preparing to deal with the impacts of climate change rather than chasing temperature targets that were never consistent with political realities.
Background
- In 2015, the Paris Agreement was finalised, defining climate targets and framing broad rules for international action, replacing the stricter 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
- The 1.5°C and 2°C targets were arbitrarily chosen limits, with climate impacts already evident at 1.2°C warming before the agreements were signed.
- The United States recently decided to walk out of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, threatening the stability of the process.
- The Loss and Damage Fund was established to provide financial support to vulnerable nations, with Nepal recently receiving US$ 20 million for flood recovery.
- Previous COPs, including the one in Brazil last year, have set the baseline for decarbonisation and energy transition goals that COP31 aims to build upon.
- The UNEP reports released earlier in 2026 marked the first scientific assessment to assert that the 1.5°C target is no longer achievable.
Prelims facts and Mains angle for this issue are in the full SWAदेSH note.
Original report: Indian Express - Explained