From Science to Implementation: TERI Experts to Advance Global Climate Action at COP31

TERI delegation, led by Director General Dr Vibha Dhawan, to contribute to high-level dialogues on climate finance, adaptation, energy transitions, resilience and science-policy partnerships at the 31st UN Climate Conference in Antalya, Türkiye

New Delhi, 5 November 2026 – As the global community prepares to convene in Antalya, Türkiye, for the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is set to contribute to critical dialogues on climate action, implementation, finance and sustainable development. The TERI delegation, led by Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, will bring together the Institute’s multidisciplinary expertise to engage with global policymakers, research institutions, development organisations, and other stakeholders on advancing equitable and actionable climate solutions.

From climate finance and adaptation to clean energy transitions, resilient livelihoods and science-policy integration, TERI experts will contribute evidence-based perspectives across a series of high-level discussions, pavilion events and international engagements during COP31.

TERI @ COP31: Key Engagements

At COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, TERI will participate in a series of official UNFCCC events, pavilion sessions, side events and other engagements, bringing together policymakers, researchers, practitioners and international partners to deliberate on critical climate priorities. TERI’s engagements will span discussions on energy transitions, climate adaptation, resilient agriculture, mountain communities, climate finance, health systems and sustainable development, reflecting the Institute’s multidisciplinary expertise and commitment to advancing evidence-based climate action.

In addition to these engagements, TERI experts will participate in bilateral discussions and meetings with international organizations and partners to explore opportunities for collaboration in areas including carbon markets, landscape restoration, sustainable agriculture, clean energy and climate finance.

Perspectives from TERI Leaders

Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, emphasized the need to move climate negotiations towards implementation, stating, “The negotiations necessarily require a shift to focus on implementation, framing climate action as a necessity for survival of many. Means of Implementation and negotiations around it need to reach conclusive stages paving the path for action.”

Ms Leena Nandan, Distinguished Fellow, TERI and Former Secretary, MOEFCC, shared, “The increasing vulnerability of millions of people to the adverse impacts of climate change, makes it imperative that countries come together and act with urgency. COP 31 deliberations must leapfrog to the next level with the objective of forging immediate, collaborative, solution-oriented pathways.”

Mr Sanjay Seth, Executive Director – Strategy & Partnerships, TERI and Vice President & CEO, GRIHA Council, TERI, noted, “Infrastructure decisions made today will shape resource consumption, emissions and climate vulnerability for decades. As climate risks intensify, infrastructure must be designed not only to minimize emissions, but also to withstand and adapt to emerging environmental stresses. Integrating mitigation and adaptation into the built environment is essential. Aligning with the global climate agenda, this calls for climate-responsive planning, resource-efficient construction and resilient infrastructure that safeguards communities, while supporting sustainable economic development.”

Dr Dipankar Saharia, Executive Director, TERI, highlighted the importance of an integrated approach to climate action: “Climate action must go beyond individual interventions and embrace an integrated approach that connects clean energy transitions, environmental sustainability, and inclusive development. At TERI, we work at the intersection of research, policy, and practice to translate knowledge into actionable solutions that can accelerate the transition toward a sustainable, low-carbon, and climate-resilient future.”

Ms Suruchi Bhadwal, Director, TERI, highlighted the importance of adaptation and climate finance in the negotiations: “Countries may need to negotiate heavily on the fundamental principle of common but differentiated responsibilities especially in the context of Adaptation since implementation of the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) to curtail losses requires binding financial commitments from developed countries.”

Ms Shabnam Bassi, Director, Sustainable Buildings, TERI, noted, “From the Paris Agreement to national net-zero targets, climate commitments and policies are strong. The building industry is already walking the talk, and the focus must now shift to scaling implementation through robust enforceable regulations and financial inclusion instruments; creating resilient, sustainable habitats that prioritize urban heat island mitigation and drive a paradigm shift in resource use through demand reduction and efficient systems.”

Dr Shailly Kedia, Director, TERI, highlighted the need for greater focus on adaptation and mitigation at COP31, remarking, “COP31 must prioritize resolving outstanding issues on the Global Goal on Adaptation, particularly adaptation finance. With Indian and German environment ministers facilitating mitigation negotiations, progress is needed on aligning mitigation with sustainable development amid growing overshoot risks. The initiation of the second Global Stocktake also presents an opportunity to strengthen the focus on adaptation, finance and equitable climate action.”

Mr Anshuman, Director, TERI, noted the importance of integrating water into climate policy and financing frameworks: “Water as a sector must move from being recognized in climate decisions to being systematically integrated into climate policies, adaptation plans, financing frameworks, and investment priorities. COP31 presents an opportunity to establish clear implementation pathways, measurable targets and accountability for building water resilience.”

Mr Alekhya Datta, Director, TERI, highlighted the importance of reliable clean energy systems in achieving India's climate ambitions: “For fast-growing economies, an electrification target is only half a climate strategy; the other half is a plan for clean power at every hour. India's markets still reward the cheapest unit, not the most reliable one. Paying for firmness, matching clean firm power to industrial clusters, and lowering the cost of capital through concessional and green finance can turn COP31's ‘35 by 35’ ambition into an affordable, reliable transition across the Global South.”

Dr Amit Kumar Thakur, Director, TERI, underscored the importance of equitable climate action, stating, “COP31 must reaffirm that climate ambition and social equity go hand in hand. A just transition requires expanding clean energy access, strengthening resilience, and creating sustainable livelihoods, ensuring that climate action delivers meaningful benefits for communities most vulnerable to climate change.”

Dr Manish Kumar Shrivastava, Associate Director, TERI, stressed the need to address barriers to climate finance: “Public climate finance flows from developed countries to developing countries suffer from lack of political will of developed countries. Private climate finance flows face higher risk due to a variety of demand and supply side factors. Implementation of climate finance goal desperately needs a de-risking mechanism to scale up private finance for climate action in developing countries. COP31 must begin discussions on setting up such a mechanism.”

Mr Sharif Qamar, Associate Director, TERI, highlighted the importance of international cooperation, stating, “With the current geopolitical scenario playing out and a few glimmers of hope on the horizon, the global community needs to come together towards climate cooperation. The commitments made by the countries must be amped up and implemented in letter and spirit. The time to act on climate mitigation and adaptation commitments is now.”

Dr Arunendra Kumar Tiwari, Fellow, TERI, highlighted the importance of firm, low-carbon electricity in India's energy transition: “COP31’s ‘35 by 35’ ambition is within India's reach, largely on the strength of solar, wind, storage, and efficiency. The harder question is what keeps that electricity clean after sunset and beyond 2035. Firm, low-carbon power, including nuclear, will decide whether electrification cuts emissions or simply shifts them to coal at night. Because reactors take a decade to build, the decisions that shape India's 2040s grid must be taken in the next five years.”

Mr Sayanta Ghosh, Senior Associate Fellow, TERI, drew attention to the importance of directing climate finance towards vulnerable communities: “At COP31, tracing emissions back to a farm must also mean tracing finance back to the farmer. Mountain communities facing water insecurity and degrading landscapes need investment in restoration and livelihoods, not just more assessments of their vulnerability. The real test is whether carbon and adaptation finance give local people the resources to protect their landscapes and the freedom to choose whether to stay or move with dignity.”