World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Nine Countries Receive Satirical Climate Award for Leaders’ COP31 Absence
Japan and eight other countries received a satirical climate award after their leaders did not attend COP31 in Antalya, Turkey.
The award, called “Fossil of the Day,” was given by the Climate Action Network, a coalition of environmental groups from more than 130 countries.
The network said the leaders’ absence sent a poor signal about international climate cooperation while countries meet to discuss global warming.
Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, the Netherlands and Canada were also named, and conference participants booed when the countries were announced.
The network said wealthy countries with large historic emissions have a special responsibility to support developing countries, including with funding.
It pointed to Nepal, where August mudslides are believed to have been triggered by glacier collapses linked to global warming.
The Climate Action Network gives the award several times during each U.N. climate conference, which is still under way in Antalya.
The Climate Action Network gave its “Fossil of the Day” award to Japan and eight other countries over their leaders’ absence from COP31.
The award was announced at the U.N. climate conference in Antalya, Turkey, on Tuesday.
The network called the leaders’ absence “a dismal signal” for international climate cooperation.
It said wealthy countries with large historical greenhouse gas emissions have a responsibility to support developing countries.
The network cited Nepal’s need for assistance after major mudslides in August.
- Who
- The Climate Action Network gave the award to Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, the Netherlands and Canada.
- What
- The group awarded the nine countries its satirical “Fossil of the Day” prize over their leaders’ absence from COP31.
- When
- Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
- Where
- At the COP31 venue in Antalya, Turkey.
- Why
- The countries’ leaders did not attend the conference. The network said their absence sent a poor signal for international climate cooperation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Award
- Fossil of the Day
- Recipients
- Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, the Netherlands and Canada
- Conference
- COP31
- Location
- Antalya, Turkey
- Network membership
- Environmental groups from more than 130 countries
- Nepal mudslides
- Major mudslides occurred in August and are believed to have been triggered by glacier collapses linked to global warming.
3 sources
What people are saying
a dismal signal
appear to have decided that COP31 is no longer important enough to warrant their presence
wealthy nations with history of large greenhouse gas emissions bear responsibility to provide financial support to developing countries