The World Leaders' Summit at COP31 wrapped up on 12 November 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, with a strong focus on financing and accelerating reductions in methane and other non-CO₂ greenhouse gases. More than US$480 million in new philanthropic funding and an additional US$25 million for country-level action added significant momentum to these efforts. The day's developments also highlighted how tackling super pollutants connects with wider priorities, including agricultural productivity, access to clean cooking, air quality, and the protection of vulnerable ecosystems.
Key Highlights from Day 4
World Leaders Warn Against Weakening Climate Ambition Beyond the 1.5°C Threshold: Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley cautioned that exceeding the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C temperature limit must not become an excuse for weakening climate ambition. She described temperature overshoot as a ""debt of heat"" borrowed against future generations, stressing the consequences of delayed climate action. Marshall Islands President Hilda C. Heine also highlighted the severe risks facing island nations, including land loss, coral reef damage, and threats to livelihoods. Drawing attention to the deterioration of coral reefs around her home island of Aur, she called for faster emissions reductions, a transition away from fossil fuels, and greater access to climate finance.
More Than US$480 Million Committed to Super Pollutant Mitigation: The Leaders' Level Methane and Other Non-CO₂ Greenhouse Gases Summit, co-hosted by Brazil, China, and the United Kingdom alongside the COP31 Presidency, brought significant new financial commitments. Philanthropic partners announced more than US$480 million in funding for methane and other super pollutant reductions, building on more than US$530 million already delivered since the launch of the Global Methane Pledge in 2021. The funding will support action across energy, agriculture, and waste, alongside measures addressing black carbon, clean cooking, transport, and cooling. Mottley also highlighted the economic opportunities associated with cutting these emissions, stressing that farmers should receive financial support to adopt lower-emission practices rather than bear the costs of these adjustments themselves.
Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator Extends Support to Seven More Countries: UK Climate Minister Katie White announced an additional US$25 million for the CCAC's Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator, bringing its announced funding to US$50 million. The programme will now extend support to seven more countries: Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Fiji, Morocco, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Uzbekistan. They join the original seven participating countries: Brazil, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Nigeria, and South Africa, bringing the total to 14. The Accelerator aims to support 30 developing countries by 2030 through dedicated national teams, technical assistance, and support for developing investment-ready projects. UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell emphasized the importance of stronger policies, institutional support, and investment to turn climate commitments into measurable action.
Countries Advance Measures to Reduce Methane and Industrial Greenhouse Gases: Australia endorsed the UK-led Statement on Drastically Reducing Methane Emissions in the Global Fossil Fuel Sector, strengthening international cooperation on methane reductions across the energy industry. International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol noted that at least 75% of methane emissions from fossil fuel operations could be avoided using existing technologies, with many measures available at low or no net cost. China also outlined its progress in incorporating methane and other non-CO₂ greenhouse gases into national climate planning, including measures targeting nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases. Germany also highlighted the new Global SF₆ Pledge, with support announced by the United Kingdom and the European Commission, adding further momentum to efforts to reduce emissions of this potent greenhouse gas.
Brazil Advances Action on Organic Waste and Non-CO₂ Emissions: Ana Toni, Brazil's National Secretary for Climate Change and CEO of COP30, highlighted the country's work under the COP30 Action Agenda, including the No Organic Waste initiative and participation in the Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator. She also pointed to the inclusion of non-CO₂ measures in Brazil's national climate plan and plans to develop an integrated air quality and climate action plan. Toni emphasized that reducing methane is an urgent priority and must complement, rather than replace, deep reductions in carbon dioxide emissions.
World Bank Reports Progress on Methane Mitigation and Agricultural Productivity: The World Bank highlighted its methane reduction programmes across 45 countries, which are on track to reduce 11 million tonnes of methane and benefit more than 160 million people. In Brazil, small family dairy farms increased yields by 10% while reducing emissions by 6% in just one year. The results demonstrate how methane mitigation can contribute to agricultural productivity while delivering environmental benefits.
Satellite Monitoring Supports Faster Identification of Methane Leaks: The United Nations Environment Programme's International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) highlighted progress in using satellite-based monitoring to identify major methane leaks and support action by governments and operators. These efforts have helped address emissions with a climate impact equivalent to taking 26 million cars off the road for one year. Improved emissions data and faster responses can help identify leaks, guide corrective measures, and strengthen accountability.
African Leaders Address Clean Cooking Access Gap: A Leaders' Roundtable on Clean Cooking in Africa, co-hosted by the COP31 Presidency of Türkiye, the Government of Tanzania, and the International Energy Agency, focused on expanding access to cleaner cooking solutions. Nearly one billion people across Africa still rely on polluting fuels and traditional cooking methods. Expanding clean cooking access can reduce household air pollution and black carbon emissions, improve health outcomes, particularly for women and children, and generate wider economic benefits. The CCAC's Hidden Assets assessment estimates that integrated climate and clean air action can deliver US$15 in benefits for every dollar invested globally, rising to as much as US$26 in parts of Africa. The CCAC is supporting countries through electric cooking initiatives, energy planning, policy development, and project preparation. In Nigeria, this includes work to incorporate electric cooking into national plans and investment pipelines. Kenya will host the Second Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa in Nairobi on 27–28 January 2027.
Mountain Nations Seek Stronger Protection for Glaciers and Vulnerable Ecosystems: Representatives from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bhutan, Nepal, and Pakistan discussed the growing threats to mountain ecosystems, including glacier loss, and the need for stronger climate resilience and financing. The United Kingdom highlighted its support for clean air initiatives across Asia, including emissions monitoring, planning, and technical capacity-building in cooperation with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). Discussions emphasized that reducing black carbon must complement deep and sustained cuts in carbon dioxide emissions, while clean air should be integrated into broader development investment. Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal also called for faster emissions reductions and stronger protection for fragile mountain ecosystems.
Uzbekistan Begins Developing Its National Approach to Super Pollutant Reduction: Following the country's inclusion in the Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator, CCAC Head Martina Otto met with H.E. Aziz Abdukhakimov, Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan on Environmental Issues, to discuss the next steps. Discussions focused on establishing a national Super Pollutant Team, identifying technical assistance priorities, and mobilizing additional financing. Improving air quality in Tashkent emerged as a key priority, particularly addressing winter pollution, black carbon emissions, dust storms, and transboundary pollution. The discussions highlighted the importance of national coordination and targeted interventions to advance super pollutant reductions.
The fourth day of COP31 produced significant financial commitments and extended the reach of international support for countries tackling methane and other super pollutants. The announcements also brought attention to the wider benefits of reducing these emissions, from improved agricultural productivity and household health to cleaner air and stronger protection for vulnerable ecosystems. With additional resources now committed and more countries entering the CCAC's support programme, the focus will increasingly be on how effectively governments can turn these opportunities into concrete national measures and sustained emissions reductions.
