As COP31 Antalya kicks off, can world move beyond big promises?

Droughts, floods and extreme heat are upping the pressure on delegates at the UN climate talks in Antalya, Turkey. Can countries move beyond pledges to concrete action?

With its pulsing music, flashy images and barrage of special effects, the key message in Antalya's marketing video is clear: Turkey , the host of the 31st edition of the UN climate talks, is cool, stylish, modern — and eco-conscious. Both President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife, Emine, make an appearance, with Turkey's first lady calling climate change "one of the most visible manifestations of the burden human activity has placed on our planet." From November 9-20, delegates from nearly every country in the world are coming together in the Mediterranean city of Antalya to chart a way out of the climate crisis.

Turkey is the official host , and Australia will lead the negotiations. But the issues they'll confront during those 12 days are far more serious than the showy marketing campaign make them out to be.