Texas faith group heads to Turkey for COP31 as US stays out

Texas Impact will send representatives to Antalya, Turkey, for the 31st United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties, commonly known as COP31. The international gathering takes place from November 9 to November 20, 2026.

The organization describes itself as the only state-level, faith-based group holding credentialed observer status at the event. It will share video content from the conference with The Austin Chronicle. Texas Impact identifies as Texas' oldest and largest interfaith advocacy network, with a headquarters in Austin and members across the state.

The group is traveling with a cohort of faith advocates from various denominations, social action groups, and mission organizations worldwide. Their primary objective is to address the parties in the official negotiating rooms. They aim to frame climate action as a humanitarian and ethical imperative rather than a purely technical or scientific issue.

Texas Impact argues that U.S. participation is urgent this year because national leaders are absent. The group states that this absence effectively sidelines Americans in a global conversation with existential implications. It notes that the current U.S. administration has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement and the entire UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

This withdrawal follows a period when the United States was considered a leader in climate policy. The nation previously set ambitious emission reduction targets under the Paris Agreement and operationalized those targets through the Inflation Reduction Act. The group claims the current administration has undone decades of American leadership in this area.

The organization points to serious conflicts between interest groups at this year's COP. It cites growing tensions between the goals of economic leaders and demands for equity from marginalized groups, including women, youth, and communities in areas disproportionately impacted by climate change. These issues mirror local battles in Texas, such as fights over data centers.

Texas Impact challenges the common label of the event as a "climate conference." It defines the COP as a multilateral negotiation and a formal meeting. The group argues that calling it a conference creates a permission structure for wealthy nations to step away from existing responsibilities and commitments.

The future of U.S. climate policy and participation in global negotiations may shift based on upcoming election outcomes. The decision to leave the Paris Agreement was made unilaterally. Congress holds responsibility for the potential dismantling of the Inflation Reduction Act. State and local governments are also evaluating policy choices, such as data center permitting, that could lock in carbon-intensive patterns or accelerate the shift to low-carbon energy generation.

The United States maintains a unique position in climate change dynamics. It is a primary emitter of greenhouse gases causing human-induced climate change. It is also a wealthy nation with the capacity to drive mitigation and adaptation efforts worldwide. Subnational leaders continue to participate in the process despite federal withdrawal.