Negotiators at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, are being asked to decide how a new just transition mechanism will work. The conference runs from November 9 to 20, 2026, at the Antalya Expo Center. The outcome will shape how countries share technical assistance, capacity-building and knowledge as they shift workforces and industries toward lower-emission economies. For companies with large workforces, supply chains in emerging markets or exposure to coal, oil and gas, the design choices matter.
What COP30 agreed
At COP30 in Belém, Parties to the Paris Agreement decided to develop a just transition mechanism. Its stated purpose is to “enhance international cooperation, technical assistance, capacity-building and knowledge-sharing, and enable equitable, inclusive just transitions.” The decision asked the subsidiary bodies, at their June 2026 sessions, to recommend a draft decision on the process for making it operational, for consideration in Antalya.
The same decision calls for a review of the United Arab Emirates just transition work programme this year, including whether the programme continues. Two dialogues under the programme took place in 2026. The first, in Yeosu, Republic of Korea, on April 24 and 25, covered food security, agriculture and oceans. The second, in Baku, Azerbaijan, on September 10 and 11, covered transition pathways for industry.
Where the talks stand
The June sessions in Bonn produced draft conclusions and an informal note by the co-chairs, which serves as an input rather than a negotiating text. Australia, which holds the role of President of Negotiations, and the incoming Turkish presidency then hosted an informal workshop on just transition in Sydney from September 30 to October 2, 2026.
In a joint letter to Parties, COP31 President-designate Murat Kurum and President of Negotiations Chris Bowen wrote: “At COP31, we should seek to agree on both the mechanism’s functions and its governance and modalities to allow for its full operationalisation.” They added that there is also “important work to be completed” on the review of the work programme.
In a joint note dated October 26, 2026, the chairs of the subsidiary bodies said “growing convergence on the mechanism’s potential functions and objectives provides a basis for progress.” They noted that questions on form and governance remain open, and asked Parties to “arrive with concrete options and a readiness to swiftly advance work across the three mandates.”
Open questions for business
Positions still differ on the mechanism’s scope. Climate Home News reported on November 5 that some negotiating groups oppose using the mechanism to advance a transition away from fossil fuels, while some Latin American and small island states want it to support the 2023 energy commitments. The same report said developed countries want to avoid any new financial obligations.
The fourth annual high-level ministerial round table on just transition is scheduled for November 16, 2026, in Antalya, as the conference enters its high-level segment. Companies following the talks will want to see whether the final text settles governance and modalities, as the two presidencies propose, or leaves them for later sessions. They will also want to see how the mechanism relates to existing finance and technical assistance channels.
Sources
- COP31 Presidency: Fourth letter to Parties (Kurum and Bowen)
- UNFCCC: SB65 joint note by the SB Chairs, October 26, 2026
- UNFCCC: COP30 decision on the UAE just transition work programme
- UNFCCC: UAE just transition work programme
- UNFCCC: Informal intersessional workshop on just transition
- UNFCCC: Fourth annual high-level ministerial round table on just transition
- UNFCCC: About COP31
- Climate Home News: COP31 briefing, November 5, 2026
