Greta Thunberg Slams COP31 Climate Talks as Hypocrisy

Climate activist Greta Thunberg has criticised the United Nations climate negotiations at COP31, describing the annual meetings as hypocritical and accusing host countries of using the global platform to improve their environmental image while continuing to depend on fossil fuels. Arriving at the conference in Antalya, Turkey, on Tuesday, November 10, she urged political and economic leaders to prioritise people and the planet over corporate profits and geopolitical interests.

Thunberg’s remarks have renewed questions about whether international climate conferences are delivering meaningful action or allowing governments and powerful industries to maintain existing energy systems. She also criticised the influence of fossil fuel industry representatives at the negotiations, arguing that the presence of lobbyists undermines efforts to address the climate crisis.

COP31 is taking place after another year of destructive climate-related events, including heatwaves and floods, alongside an energy shock linked to the Iran war. The conference brings together governments, negotiators, activists and other stakeholders to discuss international climate action. However, Thunberg’s criticism highlights the continuing divide between the commitments made at these meetings and the energy policies pursued by participating countries.

Greta Thunberg Calls COP31 Climate Talks Hypocritical

Thunberg said the annual United Nations climate conferences give host countries an opportunity to present themselves as climate leaders even when their domestic energy policies continue to rely heavily on fossil fuels.

She argued that the negotiations are influenced by lobbyists representing industries that benefit from the existing economic and political system. In her view, this creates a contradiction between the stated purpose of climate diplomacy and the interests of some participants.

“It’s a hypocrisy every year that the host countries are given an opportunity to whitewash themselves and we know that these negotiations are filled with lobbyists, paid by the very destructive industries which are benefiting from our extremely violent status quo,” Thunberg said as she arrived.

She also criticised political and economic systems that, in her assessment, have become incompatible with human needs and environmental protection. Her comments reflect a broader concern among climate campaigners that governments are not reducing emissions quickly enough to match the scale of the climate challenge.

Thunberg warned that Climate Change threatens communities, ecosystems and the future of people across the world. She said the consequences extend beyond environmental damage, affecting the things people value and the security of future generations.

She called for decisions that benefit the wider population instead of protecting the interests of a relatively small group of wealthy and powerful actors.

“We should act to protect and benefit people rather than constantly sacrificing the global majority and the very planet we are all living on, for a fortunate few to keep making unimaginable profits and maintaining geopolitical power,” she said.

Her remarks place economic inequality and geopolitical influence alongside emissions reduction as central concerns in the climate debate. Climate campaigners have increasingly argued that the effects of global warming are not distributed equally, with vulnerable communities often facing greater exposure to extreme weather and fewer resources to recover.

Turkey and Australia Face Questions Over Fossil Fuel Dependence

Thunberg’s criticism comes as Turkey and Australia promote renewable energy and electrification during COP31. Both countries are highlighting the importance of expanding cleaner energy sources, including solar power, but continue to rely significantly on fossil fuels, particularly coal, for electricity generation.

This contrast has become a familiar point of contention at international climate conferences. Countries hosting or participating in climate negotiations often announce renewable energy ambitions while their existing energy systems remain dependent on coal, oil and natural gas.

Previous COP hosts have also faced scrutiny over their fossil fuel industries. Brazil, the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan, which hosted earlier editions of the climate conference, are among the countries associated with significant oil production.

For critics, the issue is not simply whether a host country promotes renewable energy. They argue that governments must demonstrate how their domestic policies, investment decisions and energy infrastructure align with the climate commitments discussed at international meetings.

The presence of fossil fuel lobbyists is another concern raised by Thunberg. She believes that representatives of industries benefiting from continued fossil fuel use can influence discussions and weaken the push for stronger action.

The debate illustrates a central challenge for COP31: governments must negotiate common climate goals despite having different economic interests, energy requirements and levels of dependence on fossil fuels.

Global Electrification Becomes a Key COP31 Goal

One of Turkey’s major priorities at COP31 is global electrification. The objective is to shift sectors such as transportation, buildings and heavy industry away from direct fossil fuel use and towards electricity.

Electrification can support emissions reductions when the electricity comes from cleaner sources. For example, electric vehicles can reduce reliance on petrol and diesel, while electric heating and industrial equipment can replace some fossil fuel-based processes. However, the overall climate benefit depends on how the electricity is generated.

Turkey wants electricity to account for 35% of global energy consumption by 2035, compared with approximately 23% today. The country is promoting renewable sources such as solar and wind as preferred ways to supply the additional electricity needed for this transition.

The target reflects an effort to make electricity a larger part of the global energy system. Achieving it would require changes across multiple sectors, including transport, manufacturing, buildings and power generation.

However, electrification alone does not guarantee a rapid reduction in emissions. If additional electricity demand is met through coal- or gas-fired power plants, the environmental benefits could be limited. Expanding renewable generation and supporting infrastructure will therefore be important to the transition.

Thunberg acknowledged that progress should not be dismissed simply because it falls short of what climate campaigners want. She said positive developments should be recognised, particularly when the world faces an urgent need to limit further damage.

“We have to take the victories we have, of course, because we are so desperate in this situation that we have to take all the positive signs we can get to save as much as we can still save,” she said.

Her comments suggest that criticism of the negotiations does not mean rejecting every policy development or climate commitment. Instead, she is calling for progress to translate into practical measures that reduce environmental harm.

Greta Thunberg Returns to a Major UN Climate Summit

COP31 is the first United Nations climate summit Thunberg has attended since the 2021 conference in Glasgow, Scotland. At that meeting, she famously dismissed the promises made by world leaders as “blah, blah, blah”, expressing frustration with what she considered insufficient action.

Thunberg first became internationally recognised in 2018, when she began a solo school strike outside the Swedish Parliament at the age of 15. Her protest called attention to the need for stronger government action on climate change and developed into a wider youth-led climate movement.

Her campaign inspired students in different countries to organise demonstrations and demand more ambitious environmental policies. The school strike movement helped make youth climate activism a prominent part of public discussions about global warming.

In 2022, she published The Climate Book, which brought together discussions of the climate crisis and possible responses. Over the years, she has received multiple awards and continued to campaign on environmental issues as well as other causes.

Her activism has also extended beyond climate policy. She has supported the Free Palestine movement, was arrested in London last year while supporting hunger-striking pro-Palestinian activists and more recently backed French students protesting for additional resources in schools.

In 2024, she joined a protest in Georgia against Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29. Her return to the UN climate conference in Turkey therefore comes after several years in which her public activism has covered a wider range of political and social issues.

Youth Climate Activists Welcome Thunberg’s Arrival

Thunberg’s arrival at COP31 generated excitement among young climate activists attending the conference. For many participants, her presence provides an opportunity to draw attention to the concerns of younger generations and increase pressure on governments to deliver measurable results.

Amber Turner, a 26-year-old fellow with the Alliance of Small Island States, said Thunberg’s participation could remind activists of the reasons they began campaigning for climate action.

Turner highlighted the importance of holding decision-makers accountable and pushing for changes that protect people in the long term. She also pointed to the difficulties young people face as climate impacts intensify and make it harder to feel confident about a safe and stable future.

Small island nations are particularly concerned about climate change because of their exposure to rising sea levels, extreme weather and other environmental risks. For communities in these countries, the outcome of international climate negotiations can have direct consequences for long-term safety and development.

Thunberg’s presence was also welcomed by Kamori Osthananda, a youth negotiator with Thailand’s COP delegation. Osthananda said the participation of a prominent climate campaigner could create additional pressure on the conference to move beyond statements and deliver practical action.

Qiyun Woo, a youth environmentalist from Singapore, described Thunberg’s presence as powerful because it adds to the demands of a generation that will inherit the consequences of decisions made during the negotiations.

Woo also emphasised that Thunberg is not the only young activist working on climate issues. Youth representatives from different countries are present at COP31 to advocate for their communities and the future they will inherit.

The comments reflect a wider role for young people at international climate conferences. Beyond demonstrations and public statements, youth activists and negotiators seek opportunities to influence discussions, raise local concerns and demand accountability from governments.

Protests at COP31 Demand Climate Finance and Question Nuclear Energy

Protests have also formed part of the wider activity surrounding COP31. Demonstrators have demanded greater climate finance and criticised growing interest in nuclear energy.

Climate finance is a major issue for developing countries and communities that face serious climate impacts but have limited resources to respond. Funding can support adaptation measures, disaster preparedness, infrastructure improvements and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The question of who should provide this funding, how much should be made available and how it should reach vulnerable countries remains a difficult part of international climate negotiations.

Debates over nuclear energy reflect another disagreement within the climate movement. Supporters often describe nuclear power as a low-carbon source of electricity that can provide reliable generation, while critics raise concerns about safety, waste management, costs and the time required to develop projects.

The protests at COP31 show that disagreements extend beyond the pace of emissions reductions. Activists are also challenging the priorities governments choose when deciding how to finance and organise the transition to cleaner energy.

Why COP31 Matters Amid Climate Disasters and Energy Uncertainty

The Antalya conference is taking place after a year marked by deadly climate-related disasters, including heatwaves and floods. Such events have kept the effects of global warming at the centre of international discussions and increased pressure on governments to strengthen their responses.

Extreme heat can threaten public health, damage crops and place pressure on electricity systems. Flooding can destroy homes and infrastructure, disrupt transport and force communities to recover from significant economic losses. The consequences can be especially severe in regions with limited resources for disaster preparation and recovery.

The latest energy shock linked to the Iran war adds another complication. Geopolitical instability can affect energy supplies and prices, exposing the risks associated with dependence on concentrated or vulnerable sources of fossil fuels.

These developments underline why climate policy is closely connected to energy security, economic planning and international relations. Governments face pressure to ensure reliable energy supplies while reducing emissions and limiting the effects of climate change.

For campaigners such as Thunberg, the challenge is that these competing priorities should not become an excuse for delaying action. She argues that political and economic decisions must put the interests of the wider population and the Environment ahead of profits and geopolitical power.

COP31 Schedule: Antalya Talks Continue Until November 20

The United Nations climate negotiations in Antalya are scheduled to continue until November 20. Thunberg is expected to spend several days at the conference, where her participation is likely to keep public attention on the gap between climate commitments and practical implementation.

The next annual climate summit, COP32, is scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, in November 2027. Its location will bring further attention to the priorities and concerns of African countries, including climate finance and the need to address the effects of global warming.

For COP31, the immediate test will be whether governments can turn their discussions into concrete progress on energy transition, climate finance and implementation. Thunberg’s criticism has highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability, while youth activists are calling for decisions that reflect the risks facing their generation.

The conference’s success will ultimately depend not on the promises made during speeches but on whether countries follow through with policies and actions. As negotiations continue, the central question remains whether COP31 can deliver progress beyond the declarations that climate activists have repeatedly criticised.