Based on reporting by Local 10 and The Philadelphia Inquirer and WPXI and AP

Wire reporting: (AP, via Local 10)

World leaders opened formal talks Wednesday at the U.N. climate conference in Antalya, Turkey, according to Associated Press reports carried by Local 10, The Philadelphia Inquirer and WPXI^1,2,3,4.

The AP accounts said the COP31 leaders session followed a year of deadly floods, heat waves and other weather disasters, with Turkey hosting and Australia leading negotiations after the conference opened Monday^1,2,3,4.

Heads of the United States, China and India were not scheduled to attend, the later AP copy said, even as more than 70 leaders and senior officials were listed to speak^1,2.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in an opening address summarized by AP, called for ending fossil-fuel dependence, adapting to a warmer climate, more finance from rich countries, and cooperation, which he framed as a Climate Justice Compact^1,2.

Mohamed Adow of Power Shift Africa, quoted in the Inquirer AP copy, called it a disgrace that just one of seven G7 heads of state and only a handful of G20 leaders were attending².

The reports recalled the 2015 Paris goal of limiting warming to 1.5 C (2.7 F) above preindustrial levels, which scientists say is likely to be exceeded, and noted little follow-through after a 2023 Dubai pledge to move away from coal, oil and gas^1,2,3,4.

AP also tied the talks to higher oil and gasoline prices from war in Iran, U.S. absence for a second year, and President Donald Trump targeting offshore wind and removing power-plant emission limits^3,4.