By M. A. Hasan
World leaders' absence and divisions over adaptation finance expose the gap between climate commitments and delivery as the Global South demands accountability.The global climate crisis is intensifying, but international consensus on financing the response remains fragile. The first three days of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, have exposed deep divisions between developed and developing countries over climate finance, adaptation, loss and damage, and a just transition away from fossil fuels.

While countries of the Global South are demanding the fulfilment of existing financial commitments, disagreements persist over who should pay, how much funding should be provided, and how it should reach the communities most affected by climate change.

From Promises to Implementation
Opening the two-day COP31 Leaders' Summit in Antalya on November 11, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called on developed countries to take greater responsibility for reducing emissions and providing climate finance in recognition of their historical contribution to global warming.

He stressed that climate finance must be accessible, predictable and aligned with the needs of developing countries, particularly Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and small island developing states. He expressed hope that COP31 would become a conference focused not on making new promises but on delivering existing commitments.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres also delivered a strong warning about the worsening climate crisis. He said global carbon emissions reached a record high in 2025 and that the past four years had been the hottest on record. While fossil fuel companies continue to generate enormous profits, ordinary people and economies are bearing the growing costs of climate disasters.

Guterres warned that temporarily exceeding the 1.5°C global warming threshold was becoming increasingly likely, making immediate and decisive action essential.

He urged developed countries to provide at least $300 billion annually in climate finance by 2035 and present a clear plan to triple adaptation finance within the same timeframe. He also called for turning the broader $1.3 trillion annual climate finance ambition into actual financial flows. Proposing a windfall tax on the extraordinary profits of fossil fuel companies, he argued that the proceeds should support countries suffering from climate-related losses.

His message was clear: polluters must pay.

Absence of World Leaders Raises Questions About Climate Leadership
The absence of several prominent heads of state and government from the high-level gathering has also attracted attention.
The non-attendance of leaders from major economies and some of the world's largest carbon-emitting countries has raised questions about the strength of political leadership behind international climate commitments.

Although their delegations and negotiators remain engaged in the formal discussions, the absence of top political leaders could limit opportunities for high-level negotiations, political pressure and major compromises.

Climate Finance: Who Should Pay?
Climate finance remains one of the most contentious issues at COP31.

During the November 9 opening session, the G77 and China emphasised that the debate should focus not only on the volume of climate finance but also on its quality and accessibility.

The BASIC group—Brazil, South Africa, India and China—called for developed countries to fulfil their financial obligations under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement.

During discussions on the Climate Finance Work Programme on November 10, the G77 and China again stressed the importance of implementing Article 9.1. The European Union, however, favoured discussing climate finance within the broader framework of Article 9.
Developing countries are demanding predictable, accessible and grant-based finance, particularly for LDCs and small island states that have limited capacity to cope with escalating climate impacts.

Adaptation Finance: A Target Without a Clear Roadmap
Negotiations on adaptation finance have exposed another significant disagreement.

The African Group sought a separate agenda item to discuss the target of tripling adaptation finance by 2035. However, the proposal was not included in COP31's formal agenda.

The G77 and China, the African Group and the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs) expressed disappointment.

Developing countries argue that announcing a financial target is not enough. Governments must agree on a baseline, funding sources, timelines and transparent monitoring mechanisms to ensure that the promised money is actually delivered.

The European Union, the United Kingdom and Norway, meanwhile, supported addressing the issue under the existing Climate Finance Work Programme. Consequently, despite broad recognition of the need for greater adaptation funding, the implementation framework remains uncertain.

Loss and Damage: 119 Countries Need $2.8 Billion
The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), established to help countries address climate-related destruction, also featured prominently in the November 10 discussions.

A report from the fund's board highlighted Nepal's experience in seeking emergency financial assistance following a glacial disaster.
The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), the African Group and AILAC noted that 119 countries had identified financial needs amounting to approximately $2.8 billion.

They raised concerns about the fund's financing gap, limited institutional capacity in vulnerable countries to submit applications and the urgent need for faster disbursement.

The European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada, however, adopted a cautious position on issuing detailed operational guidance before the fund's long-term governance arrangements are finalised.

Just Transition Requires Finance and Technology
The transition away from fossil fuels remains another difficult area of negotiation.
Discussions on November 10 and 11 focused on the future of the Mitigation Work Programme and the proposed Just Transition Mechanism.
Developing countries insist that the energy transition must be rapid, fair and adequately financed. They argue that countries cannot be expected to reduce fossil fuel dependence without sufficient financial support, technology transfer, capacity-building and access to alternative energy sources.

They also emphasise that workers, women, farmers, Indigenous peoples and local communities must have a meaningful role in shaping the transition.

The Global South Wants Money to Reach Vulnerable Communities
Across the first three days of COP31, the central concern of the Global South and civil society organisations has remained consistent: climate finance must move beyond announcements and reach the people who need it most.

Their demands include fulfilling developed countries' obligations under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, ensuring direct and grant-based finance for adaptation and loss and damage, and involving local communities in decisions about planning, allocation and implementation.Billions of dollars announced at international climate conferences mean little if the funds fail to reach farmers, coastal communities, women, workers and displaced families.

The Real Test Lies Ahead
The first three days of COP31 have demonstrated that the climate crisis cannot be addressed through diplomatic statements and fresh financial pledges alone.

The real test lies in delivering finance, transferring technology, ensuring a just energy transition and protecting the rights of climate-vulnerable communities.

As the conference moves towards its scheduled conclusion on November 20, the question is no longer simply how much money world leaders promise. It is how much funding and practical support actually reaches the people and countries suffering the greatest consequences of a crisis they did little to create. At COP31, climate justice will ultimately be measured not by the billions announced in Antalya, but by the lives those billions help protect.

M. A. Hasan, COAST Foundation, Antalya, Türkiye, November 12, 2026