UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell has urged countries to turn climate commitments into practical action, saying COP31 must focus on accelerating solutions rather than simply setting global targets.

Speaking at the opening of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, on Monday, Stiell said the conference must break down existing global targets and national plans into actionable steps.

“Progress is nowhere near far enough or fair enough. So, as well as sending signals, COP31 must supercharge solutions,” he said.

He called for practical measures to increase adaptation finance, improve access to committed funds, triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030 and strengthen energy connectivity across grids and borders.

Stiell also stressed the need to reduce methane emissions, particularly from the oil and gas and waste sectors. He said combining methane reduction with electrification could cut projected global warming by half a degree.

Highlighting progress in renewable energy, Stiell said 90% of large renewable energy projects were now cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives. Renewable energy had also saved around $500 billion globally last year and another $265 billion in the first half of this year, he added.

On climate finance, he called for clarity on delivering the existing commitments of $300 billion and $1.3 trillion, saying the entire financial system would need to step up.

He also called for strong outcomes from negotiations on the Just Transition Mechanism, climate adaptation, mitigation and finance, stressing that agreements must help countries translate their commitments into real-world results.

Stiell warned that global heating was already taking a heavy toll on communities and economies, with vulnerable countries bearing the greatest costs.

“Fairness must be at the heart of a truly global shift to clean energy and resilience,” he said.

He said the conference would provide more opportunities for countries to coordinate the implementation of their climate commitments, while negotiations would remain central to the process.

“No COP is a silver bullet. No single conference can bridge the chasm between the science and reality,” Stiell said.

“A climate solutions step-up creates a real chance for faster progress. We have a responsibility to take it.”