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Press release…
COP 31 in Türkiye: A test of sincerity for political will
As Türkiye’s hosting of COP 31 is confirmed, experts point out that this diplomatic success comes with significant responsibilities. According to Dr. Nuran Talu, who emphasizes that Türkiye must be prepared for international criticism for its climate policies, the coal phase-out commitment and the revision of the climate law are among the critical steps that will demonstrate the sincerity of its political will.
It has been confirmed that next year’s 31st Conference of the Parties (COP 31) will be hosted by Türkiye in Antalya. According to the agreement reached between Türkiye and Australia, who have been vying for the hosting position since 2022, an Australian representative will assume the role of “Chair of Negotiations.”
Examining the responsibilities and opportunities that hosting COP 31 brings to Türkiye, Dr. Nuran Talu emphasized that this outcome should not be viewed merely as organizing a flashy international conference. “We must be prepared for criticism regarding Türkiye’s climate policies,” Dr. Talu warned.
According to Dr. Talu, political will must demonstrate that COP 31 is not merely a mere event, the most powerful indicator of this would be the announcement of the long-awaited coal phase-out commitment. Dr. Talu also stated that the climate law, criticized for its predominant focus on emissions trading, could be revised to include the impacts of climate change on nature and humanity.
Reminding that climate change directly affects all segments of society, both through the disasters it causes and its economic impacts, Dr. Talu believes Türkiye should prioritize efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change on the COP 31 agenda. In this context, she stated that the 500,000 social housing units recently announced by President Erdoğan could be built in a climate-friendly manner and presented as an example of “good practice” at COP 31.
Another important warning from Dr. Talu regarding the COP 31 organization concerns the role of civil society. Recalling that activists and indigenous peoples had voiced their justified demands at previous COPs, Dr. Talu said, “We hope that the civil disobedience and non-violent actions of climate activists in Antalya will not be criminalized,” emphasizing that the climate struggle is not a crime…
