‘Everything and everyone we love is at stake’: Thunberg slams COP31 talks

What the report says

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg used her arrival at the COP31 UN climate conference in Antalya, Turkiye, to criticize the talks and call on governments to put people and the planet ahead of profits and political power. Al Jazeera reported that Thunberg described the negotiations as hypocritical, saying they are influenced by lobbyists tied to destructive industries and by countries that present themselves as climate leaders while still relying heavily on fossil fuels.

Thunberg said climate change is threatening “everything” and warned that what is at stake includes “everything and everyone we love.” Her comments came as world leaders and negotiators gathered for a summit taking place in a year marked by severe climate-related disasters, including heatwaves and floods, as well as wider energy insecurity. She framed the issue as one of systemic priorities, arguing that economic and political structures are being maintained at the expense of the global majority.

The article said COP31 is being co-hosted by Turkiye and Australia, both of which have promoted renewable energy goals while continuing to depend significantly on coal and other fossil fuels. It also noted that several recent host countries have been major oil producers, underscoring criticism from activists about the choice of venues and the influence of carbon-intensive economies on the process.

Thunberg, who first rose to prominence through school climate strikes in 2018, had not attended a UN climate summit since Glasgow in 2021. Her appearance in Antalya drew attention from younger activists at the conference, many of whom are pushing for more climate finance and stronger accountability from decision-makers.