World leaders divided over climate action

INTERNATIONAL BUREAU —World leaders wrapped up two days of speeches at the COP31 climate conference in Turkey on Thursday, exposing sharp divisions over emissions cuts, fossil fuel use and climate financing that threaten to complicate efforts to reach an ambitious global agreement. Small island states, among the most vulnerable to rising sea levels, demanded urgent reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, while European leaders backed expanding electrification.

Developing countries renewed calls for financial assistance from wealthy nations. However, fossil fuel-producing countries defended continued reliance on oil, gas and coal. Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez reaffirmed her country's right to expand its oil industry, describing it as a driver of national development, despite calls from UN leaders to move away from fossil fuels.

Australia's climate negotiations president Chris Bowen said his task was to build consensus rather than impose specific measures. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg criticised world leaders for failing to respond adequately to crisis. Small island leaders, including those from the Bahamas, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands and Saint Lucia, called on major emitters to move beyond promises and deliver substantial emission reductions.

"The planet is not dying. It is being killed," said Thunberg. Meanwhile, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, in an interview with AFP, said cities had a crucial role in tackling climate change, noting that more than half the world's population lived in urban areas, which consume over 70% of global energy.