STATEMENT: COP31 Leaders’ Summit Spotlights Electrification and Transition Away from Fossil Fuels

Antalya, Türkiye (November 12, 2026) - The COP31 Leaders' Summit concluded today, with several new announcements and speeches from heads of state and the UN-Secretary General. Developments included country endorsements of the COP Presidency's 35x35 electrification pledge, growing support for the transition away from fossil fuels, and new pledges from philanthropies to the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, among others.

Following is a statement from Ani Dasgupta, President and CEO, World Resources Institute:

"One message came across loud and clear from world leaders: climate action has shifted from an environmental movement to a core economic and security imperative. The conversation is moving beyond high-level commitments to the practical challenges of how to transition away from fossil fuels while supporting workers and communities, and how to put entire economies on a cleaner, more resilient path.

"Electrification and the transition away from fossil fuels rightly took center stage. These are two vital, intertwined goals, and progress on one must reinforce the other. Early support for the 35x35 electrification pledge is encouraging, but many more countries need to endorse it and turn their commitments into credible national plans backed by concrete policies and investment.

"President Lula deserves credit for keeping the transition away from fossil fuels at the top of the international agenda and delivering a global roadmap that countries can adapt to their own circumstances. Australia and Türkiye now have an opportunity to lead by example, putting forward their own transition plans and encouraging others to follow.

"Vulnerable countries delivered an equally clear message: access to affordable finance is critical to them implementing their climate ambition. High borrowing costs and unsustainable debt are holding back investment in the very countries that need it most. With the $1.3 trillion finance goal established, the focus is shifting to how all sources of finance can work together to deliver investment at scale and how we ensure affordable capital reaches those who need it most. There are encouraging signs, including an influx of pledges from philanthropies for the Brazil-initiated Tropical Forests Forever Facility.

"Adaptation and early warning systems received much-needed attention after a year of crushing heatwaves, fires and floods. But that attention now needs to turn to the investment in systemic resilience as the best way to make economies and societies stronger and improve people's lives. Building more resilient cities was a major focus, and will take deep collaboration between national governments, cities and states. Cities are on the front lines of delivering the climate solutions and essential services that make people's lives better, and demonstrating these benefits is critical to accelerating the transition. Local leaders are on the front lines of climate impacts and the delivery of essential services that make communities safer, healthier and more resilient, yet too often lack the resources to respond. Cities and local communities especially need greater access to adaptation finance.

"It was disappointing to see no dedicated ocean event at the Leaders' Summit, despite over 90% of countries including ocean action in national climate plans. The ocean is on the front lines of the climate crisis, but it could also be one of our greatest allies in tackling it. Ocean-based solutions can provide up to one-third of the emissions cuts needed by 2050 to keep 1.5°C within reach. This ambition for ocean action must be reflected in any COP31 cover decision and translate into concrete progress, especially for vulnerable coastal and island nations.

"Some leaders also delivered a resounding defense of multilateralism, even amid deep geopolitical tensions. International cooperation on climate may be changing shape, but it is still alive and needed now more than ever. Even in a fractured world, leaders recognize that no country can secure its economic future, build resilience or prosper without working together on shared climate and environmental challenges. That spirit of cooperation must now carry through the negotiations and deliver a strong, ambitious outcome at COP31."

• Darla Bijou van Hoorn

  Media Relations Manager