Antalya: With climate change driving extreme weather events across the world, the United Nations has called for greater access to affordable clean energy, particularly in developing countries, ahead of the COP31 climate summit scheduled in Türkiye from November 9 to 20.
According to a report by UN News, representatives from more than 190 countries will attend the conference to discuss climate finance, emissions reduction and ways to accelerate the transition towards cleaner energy.
Despite rapid advances in solar power, electric vehicles and battery storage, several developing economies continue to face difficulties adopting these technologies due to high investment costs and limited financial resources.
Selwin Hart, UN Special Adviser on Climate Action and Just Transition, said that emerging and developing economies outside China, which account for nearly two-thirds of the global population, received only 18 per cent of worldwide clean energy investments in 2025.
Africa remains particularly vulnerable, with around 600 million people still lacking access to electricity despite its significant renewable energy potential.
Climate financing is expected to be a major discussion point at COP31. Developing countries are seeking greater financial assistance from wealthier nations to strengthen climate resilience and support their transition to cleaner economies without increasing existing debt burdens.
The summit will also address adaptation strategies, emissions reduction commitments and a proposed mechanism to support countries moving away from fossil fuels.
Hart said the world already has the technologies needed to address the climate crisis, but financial and economic barriers are preventing many countries from benefiting from them.
He stressed that temporarily crossing the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C warming threshold should encourage governments to accelerate climate action rather than abandon their commitments.
The conference is expected to focus on turning existing climate promises into practical action and ensuring that developing nations are not left behind in the global energy transition.
Source: UN News (United Nations)
