Venezuela asserts sovereign right to expand oil output at COP31

During Thursday’s session of the COP31 climate summit, Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez told delegates that the nation retains a sovereign right to expand its oil production. She framed the claim as compatible with the country’s recognition of the importance of combating climate change, linking national resource control to international climate discussions. The same day, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham addressed the assembly, citing recent energy supply disruptions linked to the United States‑Israeli conflict with Iran and Russia’s war with Ukraine. He argued that these crises demonstrate the necessity for countries to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, describing the shift as the only path to energy security. COP31, now in its fifth day of a two‑week programme, brings together representatives from almost 200 countries. Participants are working to forge agreements that accelerate progress on climate mitigation, while member states continue to voice divergent positions on energy policy and resource sovereignty. Rodriguez’s remarks underscore Venezuela’s intent to maintain and potentially increase oil output despite global calls for decarbonisation. Meanwhile, Burnham’s comments reflect broader concerns among some governments that geopolitical instability may jeopardise energy supplies, reinforcing calls for accelerated renewable deployment.