International IDEA at COP31
The 31st Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) takes place on 9-20 November 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye. With recent reports showing that global climate action is still off course to meet the Paris Agreement targets, the focus of COP31is on turning national commitments into implementation. During the two weeks, negotiators and attendees will discuss how to reach emission targets, the amounts and allocation of climate finance, and how governments and communities can adapt and respond to climate change impacts.
At COP 31, International IDEA will focus on three key areas of democratic reinvigoration and innovation:
- Public participation and climate deliberation. Our work explores and promotes deliberative democracy as a leading example of governance innovation for effective climate action. Read our case study report Amazonian Climate Deliberation: Insights from Three Citizen Assemblies on Climate Finance Held Ahead of COP30 and our 2024 report Deliberative Democracy and Climate Change: Exploring the Potential of Climate Assemblies in the Global South.
- Climate justice. Our work highlights the relationship between democratic accountability and climate action, focusing on how climate obligations and landmark court rulings translate into action. Explore our Climate Rulings Implementation Tracker and read our 2025 report Let the courts decide? The Potential and Limitations of Climate Litigation from a Democracy Perspective.
- Institutions for Future Generations. Our work focuses on innovations that can help democracies become more climate-responsive and forward-looking—from constitutional safeguards to parliamentary reforms and dedicated institutions for future generations. Read our 2026 report Institutional Innovations for Future Generations: The Experience of Climate Change.
See below information on our COP31 events.
This webpage will be updated before and during the conference.
Date and time: 16 November 13:15-14:45
Location: UNFCCC COP31 Blue Zone, Side event room 6 - KATİP ÇELEBİ and YouTube Livestream
Title: Democratic Governance for Climate Action: Global Innovations in Practice
The event will discuss how to address the twin challenges of climate action and democratic governance, sharing experiences from around the world on climate disinformation, accountability, participation, and justice, and innovations in institutions for future generations.
Co-organized with LSE Grantham Institute and Real Instituto Elcano.
Speakers:
- Birgit Pickel, Director-General for Sustainable Development and Climate, Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany
- Alina Averchenkova, Grantham Research Institute, London School of Economics
- Lara Lázaro Touza, Real Instituto Elcano
- Michele Poletto, International IDEA
- Other speakers TBC
Date and time: 19 November 15:00-16:00
Location: UNFCCC COP31 Blue Zone, Regional Climate Foundations Pavilion
Title: From Local Priorities to Regional Implementation: Citizen Assemblies for Effective Climate Action
Citizen assemblies are a leading example of governance innovation for more democratic climate action. In this session, representatives from international and local organizations will explore how deliberative processes at local, regional and global levels can reinforce one another, ensuring that citizens’ perspectives are not only heard but also translated into concrete action.
Co-organized with the Global Citizens’ Assembly and Yuva Association.
Speakers:
- David Levaï, Global Citizens' Assembly
- Erdem Vardar, Yuva Association
- Marcella Nery, Delibera Brasil
- Other speakers TBC
Moderator: Elin Westerling, International IDEA
