Next week, governments, scientists and civil society from around the world will gather in Antalya, Türkiye, for COP31. This year’s summit comes at a critical time as countries are moving towards cleaner energy, investing in new technologies and finding ways to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.  

Canada, meanwhile, seems determined to move in the opposite direction. The government of Canada is doubling down on oil and gas expansion, weakening climate policies and spending billions supporting fossil fuels. 

Environmental Defence will be on the ground at COP31 to hold Canada accountable and push for stronger climate action. Here’s why this year’s summit matters and what we’ll be watching for. 

Why does COP matter?

With another year of extreme heat, destructive wildfires and devastating floods, it’s fair to ask whether these annual climate summits are making a difference. 

The reality is that climate change is a global problem and no one country can solve it alone. 

COP brings countries together to negotiate solutions, set common goals and ensure that wealthier countries do their part in fighting climate change. It is also an important opportunity for countries that have contributed the least to climate change to have their voices heard. 

While progress can be frustratingly slow, these negotiations matter and have delivered important commitments. The agreements that have been made at these negotiations are the bedrock of all climate policy almost worldwide. At COP28, countries agreed for the first time on the need to transition away from fossil fuels and committed to tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030. 

These commitments help set the direction for global action. But promises alone don’t reduce emissions. What matters is whether governments follow through on their promises at home. 

What are we expecting from COP31?

Accelerating the shift to clean electricity 

One of the biggest priorities at COP31 will be electrification. The COP31 Presidency has introduced a target to increase electricity’s share of global energy consumption to 35 per cent by 2035.  

The good news is that the transition is already happening. In 2026, global clean energy investments are set to reach US $2.2 trillion, almost twice as much as what is being invested in fossil fuels. Last year, one in four new cars sold in the world were electric cars. COP31 must build on this momentum by encouraging countries to invest in renewable energy, modernizing their electricity grids and making clean energy more affordable and accessible. 

Turning promises into action on fossil fuel phase out

At COP28, countries agreed on the need to transition away from fossil fuels. But turning that commitment into action has proved to be difficult. 

Last year, efforts to secure a global roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels were blocked at COP30. However, progress continued outside of the negotiations and nearly 60 countries, including Canada, gathered in Santa Marta to discuss practical plans for moving beyond oil, gas and coal. 

COP31 presents an opportunity to advance concrete plans to phase out fossil fuels, ending fossil fuel subsidies that support their expansion and ensure that workers and communities are supported through the transition. 

Delivering stronger climate action and financing

Countries must demonstrate how they intend to meet their climate targets rather than simply making new promises. Wealthier countries, such as Canada, must do their fair share to reduce emissions and provide financial support to countries that are already facing devastating climate impacts.

Canada’s growing climate credibility gap

While the world is moving towards electrification, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney is doubling down on fossil fuel expansion, which has now put Canada more than 20 years behind schedule in achieving its 2030 climate target. 

Last month, the federal government designated the proposed Pacific Link oil pipeline as a project of national interest. The Governments of Canada and Alberta plan to share ownership of this pipeline, putting tens of billions of dollars of public funds at risk as global oil demand faces a volatile future. At the same time, Prime Minister Carney continues to support LNG expansion, while gutting Canada’s environmental safeguards and dismantling the climate framework in the country. At the same time, the federal government has provided to or committed to providing $13.8 billion in financial support to fossil fuel companies in 2026. 

Canada can not claim to support a global transition away from fossil fuels while using public money to expand their production at home.

At COP31, Canada must show that its climate commitments are more than empty promises. This means that it supports the global efforts to move away from fossil fuels, accelerating the shift to clean electricity and ending public subsidies and financing for fossil fuels.