Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat: Implementable plans must be launched

China News Service, Antalya, November 11 (Reporter Chen Su) The 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is being held in Antalya, Turkey. Simon Steel, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat, said in his opening speech at the conference that global climate action has entered the "implementation stage." In addition to continuing to send signals, COP31 must also break down global goals and national plans into specific steps and launch implementable plans.

"Progress has fallen far short, both in terms of speed and fairness," Steele said. In his view, COP31 needs to come up with a number of "visible plans": to triple the adaptation funds agreed last year; to solve the problem of severe setbacks in countries' access to committed funds; to triple global renewable energy installed capacity by 2030; to realize the transmission of electricity across grids and borders; and to significantly reduce methane emissions in the oil, gas and waste sectors.

Steele also said that methane emission reduction and electrification are promoted together, and it is expected to reduce the estimated global temperature increase by 0.5 degrees Celsius.

"Negotiations are still at the core." He said that the four topics of just transition, adaptation, mitigation, and financing need to reach agreed outcomes. Among them, the funding results must make it clear how to fulfill the commitments of US$300 billion and US$1.3 trillion, and not restart negotiations on existing agreements.

Steele also reminded that global warming has taken a toll on the planet. The strong El Niño phenomenon has "added fuel to the fire" of the climate crisis, with vulnerable groups bearing the heaviest price. This year's dramatic fluctuations in fossil energy prices have pushed up inflation. “Frustration is everywhere and equity must be at the heart of a global transition towards clean energy and climate resilience.”

"No COP is a panacea." Steele said that one conference alone cannot bridge the gap between scientific conclusions and reality. "We must face the world as it is, not as we expect it to be."