Turkey will seek to turn past climate pledges into concrete action at this year’s UN climate summit, with financing as the central priority, Environment and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum said, according to Reuters, as the country prepares to host COP31 in November.
Kurum said securing funding will be the most critical task, noting that nearly $1 trillion is needed to help developing countries meet climate targets.
Speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of a diplomacy forum in Antalya over the weekend, Kurum said previous COP meetings had produced important decisions but that implementation remained the key challenge.
“The expectation of the world is to move from decisions to action,” he said, adding that countries should take steps to deliver on their nationally determined contributions (NDCs), while urging those that have yet to submit plans to do so.
Kurum acknowledged that geopolitical tensions continue but said Turkey would call on governments to focus on the broader risks posed by climate change.
The annual Conference of the Parties (COP) is the main international platform for coordinating climate action. Scientists agree that climate change is driven largely by human activity, particularly greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.
Following prolonged negotiations last year, Turkey and Australia agreed on a framework under which Turkey will host and preside over COP31, while Australia will lead the negotiation process. The summit is scheduled to take place in Antalya in November.
Kurum, who will serve as COP31 president, said Turkey aims to make the meeting “a COP of implementation,” prioritizing action over new commitments.
He said Ankara is working with the United Nations to encourage all countries to submit updated climate targets by the time of the summit, adding that around $150 million is needed to support developing nations in preparing their plans.
One of the main criticisms of last year’s COP30 was the absence of clear language on phasing out fossil fuels. Asked how the issue would be handled this year, Kurum said Turkey would push for the implementation of previous decisions while emphasizing the need for further technological development to support the transition.
He said Turkey continues to rely on both renewable energy and fossil fuels to meet its energy needs but could accelerate a shift away from fossil fuels if more affordable alternatives become available.
Turkey aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2053, but coal still accounted for 33.6 percent of electricity generation last year, according to official data.
Kurum added that reducing reliance on fossil fuels would remain on the global agenda, with a transition period necessary to support countries as they adapt.