9–20 November 2026
Antalya, Türkiye

As world leaders, scientists, policymakers and representatives of civil society gather in Antalya for COP31, the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) will be attending as an accredited observer organisation.

With global temperatures continuing to rise and the impacts of climate change becoming increasingly evident, COP31 represents an important opportunity to turn international commitments into meaningful action.

What is COP and why does it matter?

COP stands for Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Held annually since 1995, these conferences bring countries together to negotiate international action on climate change, assess progress and agree how to respond to the growing risks.

One of the most significant achievements was the Paris Agreement, adopted at COP21 in 2015, when countries agreed to pursue efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and keep the increase well below 2°C.

Climate change is a global challenge that no country can tackle alone. Greenhouse gas emissions contribute to warming regardless of where they originate, while the impacts extend across national borders, affecting food production, water security, health, infrastructure and economies.
COPs provide a framework for international cooperation, bringing countries together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen climate adaptation and resilience, and mobilise finance to support climate action.

Although progress can be slow and negotiations complex, COPs remain an important mechanism for translating scientific evidence into coordinated international action.

The Royal Meteorological Society’s role at COP

The Royal Meteorological Society is an accredited observer organisation to the UNFCCC. While observer organisations do not participate directly in formal government decision-making, we play an important role in supporting the process through scientific engagement, knowledge sharing and independent scrutiny.

What can we expect from COP31?

COP31 takes place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026, with Türkiye holding the COP Presidency and Australia leading the formal negotiations.

COP31 comes at a critical point for international climate action. Despite progress in renewable energy and international commitments to reduce emissions, global greenhouse gas emissions remain high and the world is not yet on a pathway consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C.

COP31 is expected to focus particularly on implementation: moving beyond commitments towards measurable progress.

Key areas of discussion are expected to include:

1. Accelerating emissions reductions
Countries will face continued pressure to strengthen and deliver their national climate commitments, including accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels and expanding clean energy.

2. Strengthening adaptation and resilience
With climate impacts already being experienced worldwide, discussions will focus on how countries can better prepare for extreme weather, protect vulnerable communities and strengthen infrastructure, food and water security.

3. Climate finance
A major issue will be how finance can be mobilised and made accessible, particularly for developing countries facing significant climate risks despite contributing relatively little to historical greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Supporting a just transition
Countries will consider how the transition to lower-carbon economies can be delivered fairly, protecting livelihoods and supporting workers and communities affected by economic change.

5. Assessing global progress
COP31 will also begin the second Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement, which assesses collective progress towards long-term climate goals and helps inform future action.

Why does COP31 matter for the UK?

The UK is already experiencing the effects of a changing climate, including more frequent and intense heatwaves, heavier rainfall and increasing risks of flooding.

These changes have consequences for public health, agriculture, water resources, infrastructure and the wider economy. Climate impacts elsewhere in the world can also affect the UK through international supply chains, food prices and economic disruption.

The decisions taken at COP31 will help shape the scale of future climate risks and the international response to them.

For the UK, two priorities must progress together: reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit future warming and adapting to the climate changes already underway.

From scientific evidence to meaningful action
The scientific evidence is clear: human activities, principally the burning of fossil fuels, are warming the planet and increasing the risks associated with extreme weather and climate change.

Every fraction of a degree of warming matters. The choices made today will influence the severity of climate impacts experienced by future generations.

COP31 provides an opportunity for countries to demonstrate that international commitments can translate into credible policies, investment and practical action.