Focus on materializing greenhouse gas reduction measures COP31 opens on the 9th
Prime Minister Takaichi will be absent, but the Chief Cabinet Secretary says he will consider it comprehensively
Quick Look
- The 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) will open on the 9th in Antalya, Turkey.
- Prime Minister Takaichi will be absent from the meeting, as the focus will be on accelerating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
- Turkey, the chair, has proposed a goal of raising the electrification rate to 35% by 2035, and securing funds to support developing countries will also be an issue.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Paris Agreement aims to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. At last year's COP30, there was agreement on strengthening measures, but no agreement was reached on concrete measures such as a timetable for eliminating fossil fuels.
The 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) will open on the 9th in Antalya, Turkey. As there is a growing sense of crisis about the damage caused by global warming, such as the large-scale debris flow disaster in Nepal and the series of heavy rains in various places, the focus is on concrete measures to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Prime Minister Takaichi will be absent from COP31; Chief Cabinet Secretary: ``Comprehensive consideration''
The Paris Agreement, an international framework for combating climate change, aims to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. It is certain that temperatures will temporarily exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius, and further emissions reductions are needed to minimize the impact.
At last year's COP30, it was agreed that measures would be strengthened to achieve the goals. However, when it came to concrete measures such as creating a roadmap for eliminating fossil fuels, there were wide differences among the countries, and no agreement could be reached. This is because the mood for promoting countermeasures has stagnated due to factors such as the US re-withdrawing from the Paris Agreement.
Turkey, which holds the Presidency of COP31, has proposed a goal of increasing the share of electricity (electrification rate) in the world's final energy consumption from 23% in 2023 to 35% by 2035. While not mentioning fossil fuels, which tend to cause conflicts, the plan is to support the transition from gasoline-powered cars to electric vehicles (EVs).
Securing funding to support developing countries vulnerable to the effects of climate change will also be an issue. Developed countries have little capacity to provide further support, and the key will be whether they can diversify funding sources, including contributions from the private sector and emerging countries, and create efficient funding mechanisms.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Diversification of funding sources, including contributions from the private sector and emerging countries, will be discussed in securing funds to support developing countries.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What is the specific reason for Prime Minister Takaichi's absence from COP31?
- What will be the specific contribution amount and structure of developing country support funds?
- Is there any hope that agreement will be reached at COP31 on concrete measures, which have large differences between countries?
