COP31: What to expect from the negotiations
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was greeted with applause when he arrived on Wednesday at COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, but his presence stood out against the absence of many other national leaders. The heads of state or government of France, Germany and India were among those who did not attend, raising questions about the political weight being given to this year’s climate summit and, specifically, about Emmanuel Macron’s decision to stay away.
The negotiations are centered on the electrification of the planet, a major issue for both climate policy and energy systems. The talks examine how countries can advance electrification while addressing the broader challenges involved in reshaping energy use worldwide. The conference is also being watched for what it may signal about the future of international climate diplomacy. Climate advocates are already expressing concern about the next COP, suggesting that the difficulties visible in Antalya may extend beyond this meeting. Anthony Lattier discusses the leaders’ attendance, the negotiations and the growing unease with Nicolas Camut, POLITICO’s special correspondent in Antalya and a journalist specializing in energy issues.
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