UN climate negotiations

A campaign is calling for national delegations at the COP31 climate summit to exclude fossil fuel lobbyists entirely. The demand targets the practice of oil, gas and coal industry representatives attending UN climate talks as part of official country delegations, a frequent point of controversy at previous summits. Activists argue their presence undermines negotiations aimed at phasing out fossil fuels.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is keeping up his public warnings on climate change, refusing to soften his message despite political pushback. He continues to press governments to cut emissions faster and phase out fossil fuels, framing the climate crisis as an emergency that cannot be ignored. Observers note his increasingly blunt language as global climate talks stall.

UN Climate Change has introduced a new strategy for its Entertainment and Culture for Climate Action (ECCA) initiative ahead of the COP31 climate summit. The plan focuses on leveraging creativity from the entertainment and culture sectors to drive public engagement and climate action. Observers see it as an effort to broaden the reach of climate diplomacy beyond formal negotiations.