UN urges speed as COP31 confronts fossil fuel divide

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 14:43 · Archive

The UN's top climate official has urged negotiators at COP31 in Turkey to move swiftly towards a deal and 'avoid tactical delays' as the summit heads into its second and final week. Simon Stiell told the conference on Saturday that 'there is no collective success without compromise from every party'.

Fossil fuel producers and consumers at the talks are resisting any agreement that would specify firm new targets or a shift away from oil, gas and coal, observers said. This poses a challenge for summit host Turkey and lead negotiator Australia to land the kind of ambitious agreement climate advocates say is needed to address global warming.

A UN report last month found the world is already on course to exceed the 1.5 Celsius warming threshold, a limit scientists say should prevent the worst effects of climate change. Australia's COP31 President of Negotiations Chris Bowen said he expected a first draft of a deal text to emerge early the following week. Turkey is pushing a proposal to expand global electrification, arguing it will lead to faster emissions cuts by speeding the shift away from fossil fuel-powered vehicles and equipment.

How it is being reported

• UN urges speed as COP31 confronts fossil fuel divideWars and cost of living have stolen focus in recent times, but the UN's top climate officials says countries must still act fast to reduce global warming.Perth Now · 14 Nov, 14:19
• UN urges speed as COP31 confronts fossil fuel divideWars and cost of living have stolen focus in recent times, but the UN's top climate officials says countries must still act fast to reduce global warming.The West Australian · 14 Nov, 14:19

In this story: United Nations · Turkey · Australia · Simon Stiell · Chris Bowen

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