# COP31 leaders warn conflict shouldn't distract from climate action > COP31 leaders urge focus on climate action despite global conflicts. - Title: COP31 leaders warn conflict shouldn't distract from climate… - Summary: COP31 leaders urge focus on climate action despite global conflicts. COP31 leaders warn that wars and trade disputes should not distract from climate action… - Keywords: cop31, turkey, climate change, middle east, iran, fossil fuels, oil, antalya, The Japan Times - Source: The Japan Times — https://japantimes.co.jp/environment/2026/11/12/climate-change/conflict-climate-action-cop31 - Author: No Author - Published: 2026-11-12T02:19:00+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: cop31, turkey, climate change, middle east, iran, fossil fuels, oil, un, antalya, news, politics, world ## COP31 leaders warn conflict shouldn't distract from climate action COP31 leaders warn that wars and trade disputes should not distract the world from its struggle to combat global warming as negotiators prepare for a new deal to limit climate change. ## Turkey pushes electrification goal for climate deal Turkey has been pushing countries to put a goal to expand electrification at the center of a final deal, even as critics say it may do little to curb warming without a clearer plan to… ## Brazil's president warns climate slipped down agenda Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told the summit climate change had slipped down the global agenda, saying the planet cannot be at the mercy of hegemonic struggles. > We started talking more about weapons and tariffs than the survival of future generations. The planet cannot be at the mercy of hegemonic struggles. ## Turkey's president echoes climate urgency Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan echoed the comment, saying wars, crises, migration, famine and poverty increase the need for international solidarity each day. > Wars, crises, migration, famine and poverty increase the need for international solidarity each day. ## Saudi energy minister defends energy flow Saudi Arabia’s energy minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, argued the existing geopolitical situation reflects the importance of the free flow of all types of energy. > Measures that are aimed at protecting the climate should not constitute barriers facing countries and impeding their achievements of economic development. ## COP31 seeks 35% electrification by 2035 Negotiators from nearly 200 countries are seeking agreement on a proposal to increase the share of electricity in global energy use to 35% by 2035, from a little over 20% now. ## UN warns of climate destruction path U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the slow international response to climate change has placed the world on a path to destruction, with rising emissions and global temperatures. > The brutal truth is that the climate crisis is outrunning us. This is the path to mutually assured destruction. ## Extreme weather hits 2026 2026 has seen extreme heatwaves across Western Europe and a glacier collapse in Nepal that triggered a catastrophic flood killing more than 1,450 people. ## Former French leader calls for implementation Former French Prime Minister Laurent Fabius said leaders’ speeches should give political impetus to negotiations, emphasizing implementation as the key word in Antalya. > It is an opportunity for leaders to make some announcements, and more this time, to explain how they will implement, because the key word in Antalya is implementation. ## Key countries skip COP31 The United States skipped COP31 for the second year in a row after President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from climate cooperation, and other G7 countries did not send their top leaders. ## Key takeaway COP31 leaders warn that wars and trade disputes should not distract from climate action as negotiators prepare for a new global deal to limit warming.