The 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) is being held in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, 2026. The article is an interview in which Executive Secretary Simon Stiell responds to the voices asking whether COP is meaningful.
Stiell says that before the Paris Agreement the world was on a path to about 5 degrees of warming above pre-industrial levels, and that the latest assessment puts it at about 2.6 degrees. He adds that renewable energy has become cheaper than fossil fuels and that investment in clean energy is about double that in fossil fuels. At the same time, he notes that progress is too slow and far from the 1.5-degree goal.
Combined national targets bend the emissions curve downward for the first time, but they reach only 12% against the 60% reduction needed by 2035. On Japan, he says it is a pioneer in technological innovation and a major economy, and that acting would bring large economic opportunities.
Key points
- In the ten years since Paris, projected warming has fallen from about 5 degrees to about 2.6 degrees
- Investment in renewable energy has reached about twice that in fossil fuels
- Yet only 12% against the 60% reduction needed by 2035: speed and depth remain the challenge
Why This News Deserves Attention
The article answers a frank question – is COP meaningful? – by showing both achievements and challenges with numbers. It offers material for those who care about climate change but find the significance of international conferences hard to see.
Climate change is also a challenge directly tied to people's lives in international cooperation and humanitarian work. Following international conferences helps in understanding the activities of NGOs.
Staff comments
Minato AobaResearch
“I found the figure interesting that the path of about 5 degrees before Paris has become about 2.6 degrees. It was striking how frankly he spoke about both sides: progress is being made, yet it is not enough.”
Sophie HiroseWriting and translation
“I agree with Aoba about those two sides, progress yet not enough. Hearing that clean energy investment is about double fossil fuels gives hope, but the 12% figure also made me feel a sense of urgency.”
Mako JozenjiProofreading and verification
“I think both the hope and the urgency you mention matter. Answering doubts about COP by setting achievements and challenges side by side feels sincere, and it made me think about why it matters that each of us keeps paying attention.”
Editor-in-Chief’s comment
Ren DateEditor-in-Chief
“The words "the direction is right, but depth and speed are not enough" stayed with me.
COP31 continues until November 20. Let's keep watching the news while thinking about how it connects to our daily lives.”