Climate talks should focus on implementation, not new targets, Singapore says
Singapore's environment minister stated that upcoming global climate talks in Turkey are unlikely to produce new targets for curbing greenhouse gases. Grace Fu told reporters that existing agreements, including the Paris Agreement, already provide sufficient goals to work toward. Delegations from nearly 200 countries are gathering in Antalya for the 12-day COP31 conference. The group intends to negotiate steps for reducing emissions. These discussions will cover areas such as electrification.
TURKEY - Global climate talks starting on Monday are unlikely to yield new targets on curbing greenhouse gases, but negotiators have plenty to do to implement measures already agreed, Singapore's environment minister said."I think that we are not expecting a major upgrade in mitigation targets" at the annual UN talks in Turkey, Grace Fu told reporters. "But we have enough, even within the Paris Agreement, with what we have already agreed on. There is enough to work on."Delegations from nearly 200 countries are meeting in Antalya for the 12-day COP31 conference, seeking to thrash out more steps on reducing emissions. They are set to negotiate on areas including electrification, limiting the rise in global temperatures and climate finance.While negotiators face "headwinds", including energy security concerns arising from the US-Israeli war against Iran, there is room for progress on issues like climate adaptation and opportunities to reach separate agreements outside the main negotiation process, Fu said on Friday.