Major emitters absent from leaders’ segment of COP31
The absence of the US, German, French and Canadian leaders, among others, is fuelling doubts about political support for climate agreements.
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Several leaders of major emitting economies are absent from the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Turkey. Climate Action Network names Donald Trump, Friedrich Merz, Emmanuel Macron and Mark Carney, among others; AP confirms that the United States is absent for the second year running.
The absence is notable as governments are once again due to discuss emissions reductions, climate finance and the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy during COP31. The summit is scheduled to run from 9 to 20 November in Antalya, with the leaders’ segment at the beginning of the conference.
According to Climate Action Network, the German chancellor, French president, Italian prime minister and Canadian prime minister are also staying away, alongside the US president. The organisation also names other absent leaders from major economies. It is an interest group; its assessment that empty seats send a bad signal is therefore a political interpretation, not an independent measurement of the effect on the negotiations.
AP reports that the United States is not attending the summit for the second consecutive year. At the same time, US climate envoys or former officials are being discussed: according to AP, former climate envoy John Kerry called for concrete plans rather than new promises.
The absence of a head of government does not automatically mean that the national delegation is also missing. Climate Action Network writes that ministers and negotiators from countries whose leaders are absent are attending. The European Commission is represented at a senior level, according to the same organisation. The formal talks can therefore continue. Climate Action Network considers the absence of the leaders a bad political signal.
On the second day, Brazil presented, according to AP, a roadmap for the transition from coal, oil and gas to sources including wind and solar power. According to AP, the document is intended as a practical guide and does not constitute a binding agreement. The central question in the days ahead is therefore not only who comes to Antalya, but which countries turn their plans into financing, policy and verifiable emissions reductions.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Several leaders of major economies are absent from the leaders’ segment of COP31.
- According to AP, the United States is absent for the second year running.
- Ministers and negotiators from absent countries are participating, according to Climate Action Network.
- Brazil presented a non-binding roadmap for the energy transition.
Left
Arguments From this perspective, the absence confirms that rich countries are failing to translate their historical responsibility sufficiently into climate finance and rapid emissions reductions.
Values Climate justice, international solidarity and protection of vulnerable countries.
Consequences More public funding should be provided for emissions reductions, adaptation and climate-related loss and damage, with stronger oversight of compliance.
Centre
Arguments The institutional approach emphasises that negotiations can continue without all heads of government, as long as ministers and diplomats retain a mandate and agreements remain workable.
Values Multilateralism, continuity and achievable compromises.
Consequences The summit’s practical outcome matters more than photo opportunities, but absence can make trust between countries more difficult.
Right
Arguments This perspective warns that international climate targets are credible only if they take energy security, affordability and national democratic choices into account.
Values National responsibility, economic capacity and security of supply.
Consequences Countries should implement climate plans gradually and remain technology-neutral, so that industry and households are not confronted with unaffordable costs.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The main facts are based on a current AP report and a statement by Climate Action Network. Interpretations of the political signal and possible consequences are explicitly attributed to the organisation or phrased as uncertain.
- confirmed COP31 is taking place in Antalya and covers, among other things, the transition from fossil fuels. — AP describes the summit and its agenda. source
- confirmed The United States is absent for the second year running. — AP states this explicitly. source
- confirmed Germany, France, Italy and Canada are among the countries whose leaders are absent. — Mentioned in Climate Action Network’s statement. source
- confirmed Ministers and negotiators from absent countries are attending. — Climate Action Network mentions this in its explanation. source
- confirmed Brazil presented a roadmap for the transition to cleaner energy. — AP describes the roadmap and the proposed energy transition. source
Editor's note
The presence and absence of leaders is based partly on AP and partly on a statement by Climate Action Network. Criticism of the absence is attributed as the organisation’s position; its effect on the negotiations remains uncertain.Sources
- Brazil to present plan for moving economies toward renewable energies at UN climate talks — Associated Press
- Global North leaders go missing on the road to COP31 — Climate Action Network International
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „cop31 klimaattop”
- de Volkskrant — „cop31 klimaattop”
- NU.nl — „cop31 klimaattop”