Türkiye says to seek historic climate action plan at COP31

Türkiye will seek to deliver a historic action plan with concrete solutions to the climate crisis at the COP31 climate summit it will host in November, Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum said Tuesday.

Kurum, who is also president of COP31, said the summit in the Mediterranean hub of Antalya would be an “Implementation COP” focused on turning climate commitments into tangible action rather than setting new targets.

“The world does not need to constantly set new targets at the negotiating table. What it needs is an unwavering will to turn those targets into action in the field, in industry and in cities,” Kurum told an event in Ankara.

“Let Antalya not be a place where problems are discussed over and over again, but rather a place where solutions are found.”

He said Türkiye would use its diplomatic capacity and experience to overcome barriers to implementation and ensure that commitments made under the Paris Agreement translate into concrete results.

6 global initiatives by 2035

Kurum said Türkiye and Australia, which are working together to lead the COP process, had set six major global initiatives to be implemented by 2035.

The first focuses on electrification, with a goal of increasing its global share to 35%.

The second aims to cut the growth in global waste by half, while the third targets a 25% reduction in energy consumption in buildings by 2035.

The fourth initiative seeks to increase the use of circular materials in industry to 15%, reducing pressure on natural resources.

The fifth focuses on climate literacy and education, while the sixth aims to establish a “Climate Implementation Bridge” connecting countries in need with financing and solutions.

Kurum said governments alone could not finance the scale of investment required to tackle climate change and called on banks, investors and major companies to play a greater role in the green transition.

“This historic crisis cannot be overcome with the limited budgets of governments alone,” he said, urging the private sector to join the effort at the center of the green transformation.

Stronger role for vulnerable countries

Kurum said Türkiye would seek to ensure that vulnerable countries, particularly those in Africa and small island states, have a stronger voice in the COP31 process.

He said climate impacts did not respect national borders and that climate justice would remain Türkiye’s guiding principle during the negotiations.

Türkiye is working with Australia around three pillars, dialogue, consensus and action, and plans to engage with countries and stakeholders ahead of the Antalya summit, he said.

Kurum said Türkiye would also use the process to bring together young people, cities, businesses, farmers and scientists to develop practical solutions.

He said the world leaders summit in Antalya would provide an opportunity to give new direction to international climate efforts.

“Do not expect a piece of paper from Antalya that will gather dust on shelves,” Kurum said. “We will produce a strong action plan from Antalya that will shake the world to its foundations and rewrite history.”

Climate finance and preparations

Kurum said Türkiye would continue preparations through a series of international meetings and initiatives, including events in Fiji, Baku, New York and London.

He said the Pre-COP meeting in Fiji would be particularly important for giving vulnerable Pacific island states a platform to make their concerns heard.

Türkiye will also launch a major seabed mud-cleaning project in the Gulf of Fethiye and address marine environmental issues in the Black Sea province of Trabzon as part of its broader climate agenda, Kurum said.

Antalya, which has historically served as a meeting point for civilizations and trade routes, would become a venue for international cooperation on the shared future of humanity, he said.

“We will start with dialogue, grow through consensus and bring it to life through action,” Kurum said.

DAILYSABAH