Experts Call for Health Emergency Declaration Ahead of COP31

Pearls and Irritations reported that nearly 150 international experts have warned that greenhouse gas emissions are creating an accelerating health crisis. The authors of the 2026 Lancet Countdown report are urging world leaders to formally recognise climate change as a global health emergency. [1]

The report was written by 146 researchers who found that heat-related deaths are rising while climate action continues to fall short, according to Pearls and Irritations. The warning comes less than two weeks before international representatives gather for the upcoming climate talks. [1]

The 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP31, is scheduled to take place at the Expo Center in Antalya, Turkey, from 9 November to 20 November 2026. According to Pressenza International Press Agency and Wikipedia, the summit will bring global delegations together to discuss transitioning away from fossil fuels and delivering on previous climate commitments. [1][5][8]

Ahead of the conference, several regional blocs and nations are preparing their priorities. Pearls and Irritations and Pressenza International Press Agency reported that delegates will focus on fossil fuel transitions, while Content Media Solution noted that Nepal and Bhutan are pushing for a dedicated Himalayan climate agenda due to increasing disaster risks. [1][4][5]