The sixth day of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), held on 14 November 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, saw negotiations enter a crucial phase as countries worked to advance discussions on fossil fuels, electrification, and climate finance ahead of the conference's final week. With talks scheduled to pause for Sunday's rest day, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell urged governments to move towards agreement through compromise and international cooperation. Türkiye's proposal to accelerate global electrification remained a central focus, while Australia's Climate Minister and COP31 President of Negotiations, Chris Bowen, indicated that the first draft of the conference's overarching agreement was expected early the following week.
Alongside the negotiations, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) continued its engagement across several climate priorities. Events and bilateral meetings explored opportunities to advance sustainable cooling, improve methane measurement, strengthen regional cooperation, and mobilize investment in waste management and clean air solutions.
Key Highlights from Day 6
Digital Innovation Advances Sustainable Cooling and Refrigerant Management: At the Viet Nam Pavilion, Viet Nam's Department of Climate Change, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, convened a side event with ETP/UNOPS, the UNEP Cool Coalition, the CCAC, and Japan's Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center (OECC). The event examined how digital innovation and international partnerships could accelerate sustainable cooling through energy-efficient technologies, climate-friendly refrigerants, lifecycle refrigerant management, and innovative financing. Martina Otto, Head of the CCAC Secretariat, highlighted the Friends of the Kigali Amendment initiative and the need to advance the hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) phase-down alongside improvements in cooling efficiency and refrigerant management. Makoto Kato, Co-Chair of the CCAC Cooling Hub, presented a CCAC-supported refrigerant tracking initiative in Viet Nam, developed with OECC and technology partners. The initiative uses the RefNEXT digital platform to track refrigerants throughout their lifecycle, from recovery and transportation to reclamation and destruction. By improving digital traceability, such systems can strengthen transparency, measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV), while supporting access to carbon finance for sustainable cooling solutions.
Central Asian Countries Establish Stronger Partnerships for Methane Reduction: Regional cooperation took centre stage at a side event organised by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), with support from the Global Methane Hub (GMH) and in partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Held at the Kyrgyz Republic Pavilion, the meeting brought together representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, alongside international organizations and development partners. Participants examined national methane mitigation priorities and opportunities to mobilize technical assistance and investment across the energy, waste, and agricultural sectors. During a panel on international partnerships, the CCAC Secretariat outlined its ongoing methane mitigation work in Central Asia and the potential to improve coordination among international partners. A key development was the announcement of a new three-year Memorandum of Cooperation between CAREC and EDF, focused on reducing methane emissions from the region's oil and gas sector. The agreement represents a step towards more coordinated regional action, with international partnerships expected to support the translation of methane commitments into practical projects and investment opportunities.
Kazakhstan and CCAC Explore Opportunities to Expand Methane Action: Strengthening national implementation was also a focus of the CCAC Secretariat's bilateral meeting with Kazakhstan's Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, H.E. Alibek Kuantyrov. Discussions centered on cooperation in methane mitigation, clean air, and climate investment, particularly through Kazakhstan's participation in the CCAC's Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator. The programme provides US$4 million in support over 2026–2029 to strengthen national capacity and advance action across agriculture, waste management, clean heating, emissions monitoring, and financing. The engagement examined opportunities to translate Kazakhstan's climate and clean air priorities into practical initiatives, while encouraging greater investment and regional cooperation on methane reduction.
Kyrgyz Republic Seeks Technical Assistance to Strengthen Methane Measurement: Improving the accuracy of national methane estimates emerged as a key priority in a separate meeting between Martina Otto and representatives of the Kyrgyz Republic, including Aizada Barieva, Head of the Climate and Ecology Policy Department and CCAC National Focal Point. The Kyrgyz delegation presented its developing METHANE-BALANCE analytical tool and expressed interest in CCAC assistance to strengthen national emissions estimates. Particular attention was given to methane emissions from livestock, methane uptake by soils, and the development of a national measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) system. Both sides also explored ways to improve the analytical tool through farmer-level data collection and technical expertise from the CCAC. Stronger emissions measurement and monitoring systems will be important in helping the country establish a more reliable basis for methane reduction policies and implementation.
International Partnerships Highlighted as Drivers of Clean Air Action: At the Nordic Pavilion, an international panel examined how cooperation across regions could accelerate reductions in air pollution and short-lived climate pollutants, delivering benefits for public health, climate action, and economic development. Moderated by Stefan Åström, the discussion brought together perspectives from the Clean Air Forum in Pretoria, the International Clean Air Dialogue in Istanbul, and air quality initiatives across Southeast Asia. Martina Otto highlighted the importance of connecting scientific evidence with policymaking and national implementation. She also presented the CCAC's Air Quality Management Exchange (AQMx), an online platform offering technical knowledge, tools, and guidance to help countries strengthen air quality management. Drawing on the UNEP–CCAC Hidden Assets economic assessment, Otto noted that every US$1 invested in integrated climate and clean air solutions could generate approximately US$15 in economic benefits. Participants examined the importance of stronger institutions, improved emissions monitoring, technical capacity, and North–South and South–South knowledge exchange. The panel's conclusions are expected to inform recommendations for future international air quality meetings and cooperation in 2027.
Pakistan Advances Organic Waste Strategy with New CCAC Support: Opportunities to reduce methane emissions through improved waste management were explored at the Pakistan Pavilion, where Islamic Relief Pakistan and Pakistani waste management operators CUEM/Waste Busters Group convened a discussion on private-sector investment and stronger emissions monitoring. Martina Otto highlighted the potential of better organic waste collection and treatment in addressing methane emissions. Pakistan generates an estimated 33 million tonnes of household waste annually, more than half of which is organic, creating considerable scope for composting, biogas production, and other circular economy solutions. Participants also reviewed progress on Pakistan's National Organic Waste Strategy, which is being developed with CCAC support. A policy review and analysis covering seven cities has been completed, with further work underway to identify priority methane reduction measures, suitable treatment technologies, and investment requirements. Pakistan was also welcomed as a new member of the CCAC's Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator, with support scheduled to begin in 2027. The programme will provide a dedicated national team and technical assistance across priority sectors, including waste management, helping translate the country's climate commitments under its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) into practical projects and investment opportunities. Beyond emissions reductions, improved waste management could deliver wider benefits through cleaner communities, better soil health, increased agricultural productivity, and job creation.
Africa Highlights Economic Opportunities from Methane Mitigation: At the Africa Pavilion, the African Energy Commission (AFREC) convened a high-level discussion on accelerating methane reduction across the continent and translating climate commitments into economic opportunities. Representatives from African institutions, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Nigeria's Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Global Methane Hub, EDF, the Clean Air Task Force, and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum examined investment opportunities, regulatory approaches, and practical measures to reduce emissions. In its closing reflections, the CCAC Secretariat drew attention to the economic losses associated with gas flaring. Approximately 32 billion cubic meters of gas were flared across Africa in 2025, representing an estimated US$10 billion in lost economic value. Capturing wasted gas and reducing methane leaks could improve energy security, increase resource efficiency, and deliver climate and air quality benefits. The discussion also covered the CCAC's Fossil Fuel Regulatory Programme, which supports countries in developing methane emissions management and regulatory frameworks, including ongoing work in Egypt, Ghana, and Nigeria. Regional cooperation through the Methane Regulator to Regulator Network, co-convened by the CCAC and the International Energy Agency (IEA), was identified as another important avenue for strengthening regulatory capacity and advancing coordinated methane initiatives with AFREC.
As COP31 approaches its final week, the sixth day's developments point to two parallel priorities: resolving outstanding negotiation issues and strengthening the practical measures needed to deliver climate commitments. While discussions on fossil fuels, electrification, and climate finance will require further political agreement, engagements across Viet Nam, Central Asia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, and Africa demonstrated the importance of technical cooperation and national implementation. From digital refrigerant tracking and stronger methane monitoring to improved waste management and reduced gas flaring, the day's initiatives highlighted opportunities to achieve emissions reductions while delivering economic and public health benefits. The coming week will be critical in determining how far these discussions translate into agreed outcomes and concrete action.
