Ecosphere News | 11 October 2026
Wealthy countries should invest substantially more in tackling the climate crisis than they currently commit to defence spending, Murat Kurum, Türkiye’s climate minister and president-designate of the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), has urged, warning that climate change itself poses a serious threat to national and international security.
Speaking during preparatory climate talks in Fiji on 8-9 October, Kurum argued that governments must demonstrate the same determination in addressing global warming as they do in strengthening their defence capabilities. His remarks drew attention to the disparity between military spending commitments and the financial resources available to protect vulnerable countries and communities from climate-related disasters. [Source: The Guardian; Reuters]
The call comes ahead of COP31, scheduled for 9-20 November 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, where governments are expected to negotiate further action on emissions reductions, climate finance and resilience.
Climate Change Is a Security Issue
Kurum compared the climate challenge with NATO members’ commitment to increase defence-related spending to as much as 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035, comprising core defence spending and broader security-related investment.
He questioned the value of defending national territory if climate change threatens the very existence of countries and communities. His remarks were particularly directed at the plight of Pacific island nations facing rising sea levels, coastal flooding and saltwater intrusion.
During a visit to Tuvalu, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable island nations, Kurum stressed that limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels is essential for the survival of communities, cultures and homes.
He also highlighted the potential significance of US$1.5 billion in climate financing for the Pacific, arguing that relatively targeted investment could make a substantial difference to the region’s resilience.
Pacific Nations Demand Concrete Climate Action
The remarks followed the preparatory meetings for COP31 held in Fiji and Tuvalu in early October, which brought together government representatives, climate officials and civil society participants to discuss priorities for the upcoming summit.
Pacific island nations called for stronger emissions reductions, improved access to climate finance, protection of ocean ecosystems and renewed efforts to keep the 1.5°C temperature limit within reach.
Representatives from around 30 countries endorsed a declaration calling for “deep, rapid and sustained emissions reductions” during the preparatory discussions, according to Reuters.
For Pacific communities, climate change is already an immediate development and survival challenge. Rising seas, coastal erosion, flooding and saltwater contamination threaten homes, freshwater supplies, food production and cultural heritage.
The preparatory discussions sought to ensure that these concerns receive greater attention in the international negotiations in Türkiye.
Climate Finance Remains a Major Challenge
Despite growing recognition of the climate crisis, the availability of adequate and accessible finance remains a central concern for developing countries.
The Pacific Resilience Facility, established to support locally led adaptation and disaster resilience, aims to secure US$500 million in initial funding, with a longer-term target of US$1.5 billion. However, reported commitments remain below its initial target.
The broader international debate also concerns the delivery of existing climate finance commitments and efforts to expand funding for developing countries. UN climate officials have stressed the importance of increasing the scale of climate finance while making it more accessible and affordable to countries that need it most.
For vulnerable nations, financial support is essential for strengthening early-warning systems, protecting infrastructure, improving water security, restoring ecosystems and preparing for increasingly severe climate-related hazards.
The question facing COP31 is whether governments will translate their statements of concern into measurable financial commitments and practical action.
Implications for Nepal and the Himalayas
The debate has significant implications for Nepal, where climate-related hazards threaten mountain communities, infrastructure, agriculture, water resources and livelihoods.
As a country highly vulnerable to climate impacts, Nepal faces risks associated with glacier retreat, glacial lake outburst floods, landslides, flash floods and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Such disasters can damage roads, bridges, hydropower facilities, settlements and essential public services, undermining development gains.
Nepal can use the COP31 negotiations to strengthen its calls for predictable and accessible climate finance, particularly grant-based support for adaptation, disaster preparedness and recovery from loss and damage.
International cooperation is also important for monitoring glaciers and glacial lakes, improving cross-border early-warning systems and strengthening resilience in transboundary river basins.
The climate finance debate raises a fundamental question of climate justice: how should international support be distributed when countries that have contributed relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions face severe consequences from climate change?
For Nepal and other climate-vulnerable countries, the priority is not only to secure funding but also to ensure that resources reach exposed communities and support long-term resilience without adding unsustainable debt burdens.
From Commitments to Action at COP31
Kurum’s call for wealthy nations to spend far more on climate action than defence has placed climate finance and security at the centre of the debate ahead of COP31.
However, important questions remain over how governments will expand climate investment, accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and deliver adequate support to vulnerable countries. Türkiye’s own reliance on coal and oil has also drawn scrutiny as it prepares to host the global climate negotiations.
The November summit will provide an important opportunity for governments to address these competing priorities and demonstrate whether international climate commitments can produce tangible results.
For countries such as Nepal and the vulnerable island nations of the Pacific, the outcome will be measured not simply by the declarations adopted in conference halls, but by the finance delivered, the emissions avoided and the communities protected.
As the world prepares for COP31, the central challenge remains clear: climate action must be backed by resources, responsibility and measurable implementation if vulnerable countries are to build a safer and more resilient future.
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