COP31, the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9-20 November 2026.
Building on the outcomes of previous COPs, COP31 is expected to focus on implementation, with particular attention on translating climate commitments into tangible action. Key themes are likely to include climate finance, energy transition, decarbonisation, adaptation and resilience, biodiversity, sustainable industrial development, and supporting countries to deliver their net-zero ambitions.
The outcomes of COP31 will play a critical role in shaping the next phase of global climate policy and investment, helping to drive cooperation between governments, financial institutions and the private sector as they respond to the growing challenges of climate change.
Our Sustainability and ESG lawyers will provide regular updates and insights throughout the conference, analysing the key developments and their implications for businesses across a range of sectors. Coverage will include finance and trade, social development, built environment, and emerging market trends.
10 November 2026
COP31, the 31st UN Climate Change Conference, opened on November 9 in Antalya, Türkiye. Over the next two weeks, almost 200 nations will meet under a unique partnership between Türkiye and Australia, with Türkiye holding the COP31 Presidency and Australia acting as President of Negotiations. Day one carried a clear message on delivery with COP31 President Murat Kurum saying it is “high time to translate words and promises into actions.”
The theme of Food, Agriculture and Health, put human health at the center of the debate. UN climate chief Simon Stiell said COP31 must help scale up solutions and mobilize finance, while EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra called for a focus on turning existing commitments into concrete progress and implementation.
For businesses, the early direction of COP31 is towards implementation, with greater focus on how climate commitments translate into investment, infrastructure and resilience across economies and supply chains.
11 November 2026
Day 2 of COP31 focused on energy and transport, with electrification, energy security, grid infrastructure and transport decarbonization taking center stage. Against a backdrop of climate pressures and recent disruption in global energy markets, new initiatives covering grids, finance and greener freight corridors signaled a push to accelerate electrification, with the COP Presidency declaring that the “age of electricity is taking shape”.
12 November 2026
Day 3 of COP31 marked the opening of the Leaders’ Summit, bringing together heads of state and government to set out national priorities and build political momentum around the implementation of existing climate commitments. The day also put zero waste in the spotlight, with the Presidency aiming to reduce the projected increase in global annual municipal solid waste generation by at least 50% by 2035.
Wednesday’s Zero Waste program focused on three interconnected priorities: preventing food waste, advancing circular economy policies and reducing methane emissions from the waste sector. The Zero Waste Action Agenda focuses on turning these priorities into practical action by encouraging stronger integration into national climate plans, calling for commitments to prevent food waste and for regulatory and financial measures that support reuse, recycling and circular-by-design principles.
For businesses, the emphasis on waste prevention and circularity highlights opportunities to improve resource efficiency, reduce costs and emissions, and prepare for evolving regulatory expectations.
Leading up to COP31: Video series
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