COP31 summit meeting opens; major countries are absent one after another

[Antalya Current Affairs] A two-day summit meeting began on the 11th at the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), which is currently being held in Turkey. With abnormal weather events occurring more frequently around the world, the focus is on strengthening climate change countermeasures. While British Prime Minister Burnham and others participated, major countries, including Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, were absent one after another, indicating a lack of alignment towards international cooperation.

The Paris Agreement, an international framework for combating global warming, aims to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial revolution levels. While it is certain that the target will be exceeded within a few years, it is necessary to stick to the target and accelerate measures by implementing concrete measures and securing funds.

"Our leadership is essential to ensure that the 1.5 degree temperature limit is a temporary deviation and not a permanent one," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the opening ceremony. He appealed to developed countries, saying, ``We cannot allow the continued expansion of fossil fuel production.''

However, according to estimates based on greenhouse gas reduction targets submitted by each country, even if current measures are fully achieved, temperature rise is expected to reach 2.8 degrees Celsius by the end of this century. Even with an 18% reduction from 2025 levels by 2030, the temperature will still be 1.8 degrees.

The United States, the world's second-largest greenhouse gas emitter, has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement again at the direction of the Trump administration, and Europe, which has been leading the way in combating climate change, is now shifting its focus to strengthening security and industrial competitiveness. Under these circumstances, attention will be focused on whether he will be able to send a strong political message in order to maintain international cooperation.