COP31 climate conference opens in Antalya as Eastern Europe prepares winter energy measures

Delegates from nearly 200 nations have gathered in Antalya for the COP31 climate conference, running through November 20. Discussions center on accelerating the green transition amid global energy pressures, with host nation Turkey and Australia proposing a target for electricity to comprise 35 percent of global final energy consumption by 2035. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz skipped the summit to address domestic antisemitism at a Munich synagogue, describing the issue as a "historic test" for Germany.

Meanwhile, Eastern European countries are enacting measures to bolster energy resilience ahead of winter. Moldova passed legislation enabling municipalities, local businesses, and residents to establish energy communities for shared renewable power generation and storage. In Romania, Energy Minister Dumitru Chisăliță announced planned support programs to help vulnerable households and businesses absorb high electricity costs during the colder months.

Sources: Digi24, Economedia, HotNews, Moldova1, Ziarul de Gardă