World leaders have commenced discussions at the Cop31 climate conference in Antalya, Turkey, but the absence of several prominent figures has raised eyebrows. The two-week summit, which began earlier this week, comes at a critical time as the world grapples with intensifying climate challenges, including severe heatwaves in Europe, devastating floods in Nepal, and significant wildfires in Indonesia. Notably, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are among the high-profile leaders missing from this year's event, leaving British Prime Minister Andy Burnham as the sole representative from a G7 country scheduled to speak. The French government cited Armistice Day commitments as the reason for Macron's absence, while other leaders from Canada and Japan are also not in attendance.

The lack of attendance from major European leaders has prompted criticism from climate experts. Cosima Cassel, a climate diplomacy expert at think-tank E3G, expressed disappointment, stating, "It is a shame that some of the bigger European leaders aren't coming. We need Europe to be showing up strongly at this COP." Chiara Martinelli, director of Climate Action Network Europe, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of leadership presence at such summits to influence global energy transitions. Meanwhile, Wopke Hoekstra, the EU's top climate official, remarked that while these absences are not unusual, expectations for the conference are not particularly high.S1

Despite the notable absences, some leaders are making their presence felt. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who recently secured a victory in a presidential election runoff, is attending and is expected to present Brazil's roadmap for ending deforestation and transitioning away from fossil fuels. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are also participating, with around 100 leaders from various countries expected to speak during the summit's high-level segment. However, civil society observers have criticized the absence of leaders from wealthy nations, awarding the 'fossil of the day' to those who have hindered progress, pointing out that many are prioritizing other engagements, such as an AI summit in Dublin.S2

As the conference progresses, discussions are anticipated to focus on key issues such as climate finance, the just transition, and international trade. The outcomes of Cop31 are particularly crucial following the underwhelming results of Cop30 held in Belém, Brazil. The next few days will see a flurry of speeches and negotiations as leaders attempt to address the pressing concerns surrounding climate change and its global impacts. With the absence of several influential leaders, the effectiveness of these discussions remains to be seen, but the stakes for the planet are undeniably high as the conference unfolds.S2