Dear colleagues,
We are pleased to share some important updates following recent engagements with the Türkiye COP31 Presidency and Australian Presidency of Negotiations on preparations for COP31, as well as upcoming opportunities for business engagement in both the UNFCCC negotiations and the Action Agenda.
COP31 Presidencies plans
Both the Turkish COP31 Presidency and the Australian Presidency of the Negotiations recognise the tremendous amount of work that remains to be done following the very limited progress achieved during the Bonn sessions.
The Australian Presidency intends to make full use of the coming weeks to help bridge differences on major issues at the table -- in particular finance ($1.3T roadmap, implementation of Article 9 finance obligations, tripling adaptation finance target), mitigation (implementing global energy goals agreed at COP28, NDC implementation and ambition gap) and trade (impacts of trade-related climate measures, such as CBAM, on developing countries). This includes both virtual and in-person consultations with Parties and stakeholders, beginning with a Heads of Delegation retreat taking place this week in Azerbaijan. The Presidency also recognises Parties' concerns and positions regarding the Climate Finance Work Programme, including the request put forward by COP30 President Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago to include the Work Programme on COP31 agenda, and is consulting Parties on possible ways forward.
On the Action Agenda, following the launch of its priorities in Bonn – including electrification, zero waste, resilient cities, green industrialisation and climate education – the Turkish Presidency is preparing to announce the COP31 thematic days next week. It is also advancing work with IEA, IRENA and other partners on the different priority targets announced, and intends to use key milestones, including New York Climate Week and a Finance Summit in Istanbul in early September, to build coalitions and momentum ahead of COP31. It remains unclear what specific outcome the Presidency is seeking through its proposed electrification goal and related goals, or how Brazil's work on energy transition roadmap will be received in Antalya. Given the challenges involved, these initiatives currently appear more likely to be advanced through the Action Agenda than to deliver negotiated outcomes at COP31.
We also understand that the COP31 Presidencies are exploring additional targeted opportunities for engaging observer constituencies, including business and industry on critical issues for COP31. We will share further details as soon as more information becomes available.
Engagement on negotiations – finance
The Co-Chairs of the Climate Finance Work Programme have invited further submissions by 6 September on the programme's vision, modalities and priorities for 2027, building on discussions held in Bonn and written submission received. An informal summary of this year's work will be published in October.
The Co-Chairs of the Veredas Dialogue have also encouraged continued engagement following the inaugural dialogue in Bonn. Additional case studies and practical examples on the implementation of Article 2.1(c) are welcomed, with further virtual consultations planned for September ahead of the Xingu Finance Talks.
Engagement on negotiations – Preparations for second global stocktake (GST2)
The Chairs of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies have outlined the timeline and process for the second Global Stocktake (GST2), including opportunities for Parties and observers to contribute. Submissions for the Information Collection and Preparation phase are due by 28 February 2027. Observer contributions, including from the private sector, are encouraged to help reflect practical implementation experience. We will share further details on the engagement and contribution opportunities as they become available.
Engagement on Action Agenda – Plans to Accelerate Solutions
The 2026 Plans to Accelerate Solutions (PAS) submission window is now open until 16 October. Organisations may update existing plans or propose new collaborative initiatives to help accelerate implementation in priority sectors. Interested organisations are encouraged to submit updated versions reflecting progress or refinements, while those interested in proposing new plans are invited to contact the Climate Champions Team to discuss potential submissions.
Engagement on Action Agenda – Business Forum Working Groups
Applications remain open to join the seven COP31 Business Forum Working Groups, convened by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) as the COP31 Private Sector Envoy. The Working Groups will develop private sector recommendations and initiatives ahead of the COP31 Business & Investment Summit (12–13 November 2026, Antalya). Representatives of business organisations and corporates interested in participating can apply through this form. The COP31 Business Forum Secretariat will review all applications and follow up with applicants on next steps.
UNFCCC Climate Week 4 (7-11 September 2026)
Finally, we are pleased to remind you that ICC has the opportunity to nominate 4 in-person (two from developing countries; two from developed countries) representatives, as well as additional virtual representatives, from the Business and Industry Constituency to participate in key UNFCCC Climate Week 4 (CW4) mandated events in Baku, Azerbaijan, including:
- Mandated Workshop under the Baku Adaptation Roadmap / Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) – 7-8 September 2026
- Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) Workshop – 7-8 September 2026
- Accelerating Article 6.4 Engagement: Finance, NDCs and Industrial Transformation – 7-8 September 2026. Participants nominated to this event will also be registered for the Regional Dialogue on Carbon Pricing for Central Asia, Middle East and Eastern Europe (REDiCAP) on 10 September.
- 2026 Adaptation Forum – 9-10 September 2026
- Sixth Dialogue under the UAE Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) – 10-11 September 2026. The dialogue will also be broadcast live for those wishing to follow without active participation.
If you are interested in participating in any of the above events, please let us know by 28 July COB indicating the event(s) you wish to attend and whether you would like to participate in person or virtually. Confirmations will follow thereafter.
CW4 will also host the Implementation Forum, to focus on actionable solutions, bringing together implementers and policymakers to accelerate climate action. Details about the registration process for the Forum and additional information on the events planned are available here.
We hope you found these updates helpful and thank you for your continued engagement. We look forward to working with you in the lead-up to COP31 in Antalya.
Kind regards,
ICC COP31 Team
