Pakistan's PM to demand climate finance at COP31 summit

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Turkiye from November 10-12, 2026. He will address the Leaders' Summit on November 11 to urge concrete global action and advocate for increased climate finance for developing nations.

The visit, confirmed by Pakistan's Foreign Office, demonstrates the country's strong support for the climate agenda. The prime minister will highlight Pakistan's own steps towards rapid solarisation and an expansion of renewable energy capacity. He will also outline initiatives to improve disaster preparedness and strengthen early-warning systems. Pakistan is transitioning towards a cleaner and more resilient economy despite contributing less than one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The nation is among the world's most vulnerable to climate change.

Climate finance demands and challenges

At the summit, the prime minister will call for predictable, adequate and accessible climate finance for developing countries. Pakistan has repeatedly urged developed nations to meet their $100 billion annual climate finance commitment. Poorer countries state that the sums of financial support remain insufficient. Developing nations seek increased adaptation financing for measures like sea walls and drought-resistant crops.

Developing countries pushed for greater attention to climate financing during initial agenda discussions. African countries specifically pushed for talks on tripling adaptation finance, though this point was not made a standalone agenda item. Observers expect limited progress at the summit due to geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and disagreements over climate funding. A senior European Union official warned there would be 'no political will' for extra funding pledges at COP31. Jasper Inventor, head of Greenpeace’s COP31 delegation, said the start of COP31 was difficult.

COP31 context and constraints

The COP31 climate talks began on Monday, November 10, following a year of devastating global weather events. These included heatwaves in Europe, wildfires in Indonesia, and floods in Nepal. The United Nations warned in September that global temperatures are on course to exceed the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold above pre-industrial levels. The European Union's climate monitoring service indicated that 2026 is likely to become the second-hottest year on record. Scientists say 2027 could top the chart, fuelled by an exceptionally strong El Nino weather phenomenon.

Few major breakthroughs are expected at COP31 due to an oil price shock and geopolitical tensions. These tensions stem from the US war on Iran and Russia's conflict in Ukraine. Negotiators were locked in discussions on Sunday over demands by developing nations to include climate finance items in the official agenda. Developed countries are taking a hard line over including a platform from COP30 in Brazil to discuss funding mechanisms. The COP31 opening ceremony opened an hour-and-a-half late without explanation.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged more decisive action against climate change following extreme weather events. Pakistan itself played a prominent role in COP27 negotiations, pushing for the establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend a high-level roundtable convened by the COP31 presidency on the summit’s sidelines. He will also hold bilateral meetings with Turkish leadership and other world leaders. The prime minister will address the summit on November 11, 2026, during that high-level roundtable.