COP31, the UN climate conference, opened in Antalya, Türkiye, on Monday, 9 November 2026. It runs until 20 November. India has made climate finance its top ask. It wants a decision to start a Climate Finance Work Programme and says developed countries must provide the money.
01. Key takeaways
- COP31 runs 9–20 November at the Antalya EXPO Center, with nearly 200 countries.
- A World Leaders’ Summit is set for 11–12 November.
- India co-chairs talks on cutting emissions. Its third climate plan (NDC) targets a 47% cut in emission intensity by 2035.
- Türkiye hosts and holds the presidency; Australia leads the formal talks.
- This is the first COP since the United States left the Paris Agreement.
The world’s biggest climate meeting is under way. COP31 opened in Antalya, Türkiye, on Monday, 9 November. About 100,000 people are expected over the two weeks.
For India, one issue matters most: money. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on 3 November that India will seek a decision to start a Climate Finance Work Programme. India says finance under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement is a duty of developed countries. It wants the money to be predictable, mostly public, and on easy terms so poor countries do not sink deeper into debt.
India goes to Antalya with a new climate plan and a central role. It co-chairs the talks on mitigation — how to push countries whose 2035 plans fall short of the 1.5°C goal. Its third NDC, covering 2031–2035, was approved in April. It raises the target for cutting the emission intensity of GDP to 47% below 2005 levels by 2035, up from 45% by 2030.
02. An unusual setup
COP31 has a split job. Türkiye hosts the meeting and holds the presidency. It runs the venue and the voluntary “Action Agenda”. Australia has sole charge of the formal talks and the draft texts. Chris Bowen, Australia’s climate minister, is President of Negotiations. Murat Kurum, Türkiye’s environment minister, is COP president.
India’s team reached Antalya by 9 November. Minister Yadav joins in the second week. India will work with the G-77 and China, the Like-Minded Developing Countries group, and BASIC — Brazil, South Africa, India and China.
03. What not to expect
COP31 is not likely to produce a landmark treaty. The real fight is over delivery: money that was already promised, how to measure progress, and how fast the energy shift moves. Developing countries want the Baku-to-Belém Roadmap to hold — at least $1.3 trillion a year in climate finance by 2035.
India has also said it will not agree to a roadmap to move away from fossil fuels, or to new targets such as one for electrification. Its priority is development and energy access.
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Conference | COP31, 31st UN climate conference |
| Dates | 9–20 November 2026 |
| Place | Antalya EXPO Center, Türkiye |
| Leaders’ summit | 11–12 November |
| President | Murat Kurum (Türkiye); negotiations led by Chris Bowen (Australia) |
| India’s ask | Climate Finance Work Programme; finance under Paris Agreement Article 9.1 |
| India’s new target | 47% cut in emission intensity of GDP by 2035 vs 2005 |
04. FAQs
What is COP31?
The 31st meeting of countries under the UN climate convention. It also covers the Kyoto Protocol (CMP21) and the Paris Agreement (CMA8).
Why does India want climate finance first?
It says developed countries must pay, since they caused most past emissions. It wants the money to be predictable and mostly public.
Will COP31 produce a new treaty?
No. It is seen as an “implementation COP” — about delivering on past promises, not a new deal.
Sources: The Indian Express (explainer), ThePrint, NewsPlainly (9 Nov 2026).
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