The Climate Network, composed of 16 civil society organisations working on climate change, shared its assessments and recommendations regarding Türkiye’s hosting and presidency of COP31 with the public at a press conference today.
Speaking at the press conference held at Postane, representatives of the Climate Network emphasised that Türkiye, as the host and president of COP31, must begin change at home. They underlined that the most critical step in reducing emissions is for Türkiye to demonstrate leadership by “leaving coal at the summit” through a just energy transition perspective.
Representatives also stated that they expect Türkiye to adopt a leadership approach grounded in participatory and democratic climate governance, centred on climate justice, demonstrating clear political will to phase out fossil fuels, and conducting the entire process on the basis of participation, transparency, and accountability.
The Impacts of the Climate Crisis Are Intensifying in Türkiye
Pınar Gayretli from WWF-Türkiye, a member of the Climate Network, noted that Türkiye is experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis with increasing visibility through growing forest fires, devastating floods, extreme weather events, and risks to food security. She states that despite these impacts, the country’s climate record is far from satisfactory.
“Türkiye’s hosting of COP31 presents an extremely important opportunity to demonstrate its determination in combating the climate crisis. However, current climate and energy policies do not reflect the urgency of action required by the crisis. The 2035 target submitted to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at the end of last year reveals that Türkiye intends to continue increasing its emissions over the next 10 years rather than reducing them. This situation is far from compatible with both Türkiye’s 2053 net-zero target and the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, and it urgently needs to be revised.”
Coal Persistence and Controversial Energy Policies Threaten Nature And Agricultural Production
Recalling that nature is the strongest ally in combating the climate crisis, Gayretli stated that recent legal amendments have allowed mining activities in important natural areas, and even legally protected areas have been opened to mining.
“Following the destruction of the Akbelen Forests in Milas, agricultural lands and olive groves in surrounding villages are being allocated to the company operating the coal power plant through urgent expropriation. In Afşin-Elbistan, insistence on a new coal-fired power plant despite court rulings contradicts the public interest, while incentives for coal prolong the transition to clean energy. Yet the increasing capacity of wind and solar energy demonstrates that a low-carbon energy transformation is possible. However, for this energy to be truly clean, projects must be planned in a way that creates the least pressure on ecosystems, does not destroy natural areas, and does not negatively affect the living spaces and livelihoods of local communities.”
“Civil Society is Being Excluded From Climate Governance”
Gayretli also pointed out that while these developments are taking place, expert civil society organisations are not included at the ministry tables shaping climate policy:
“While the business community is represented in the Climate Change and Adaptation Coordination Board (IDUKK), the highest body of climate policy, expert civil society organisations and think tanks working on climate change have not been included on the board despite their requests. For exemplary leadership at COP31, it is essential to establish permanent consultation mechanisms that guarantee meaningful participation of civil society both in the international negotiation process and in national policy planning.”
COP31 is an Opportunity for Transformation for Türkiye
Emel Türker Alpay from Greenpeace Türkiye, another member of the Climate Network, stated that for Türkiye to demonstrate ambitious leadership at COP31, it must first decide to phase out coal at home.
Alpay emphasised that the COP31 presidency is not merely a diplomatic role; it is an opportunity to initiate a just, participatory, and lasting climate transformation within the country:
“For this process to be meaningful, decision-making mechanisms must be open to all stakeholders, from civil society to local governments; Türkiye must adopt a balanced position that upholds climate justice and the principle of historical responsibility in global negotiations; and leaders must demonstrate a clear political will regarding the phasing-out of fossil fuels. Although Türkiye has not historically been among the largest contributors to global emissions, it currently ranks among the top 15 emitting countries and is highly vulnerable to the climate crisis. Therefore, Türkiye must start the change at home.”
Call for a Just Transition Away from Coal
Emphasising that the most critical step in emission reductions for a consistent COP presidency and leadership is a phase-out of coal within a just energy transition framework, Alpay stated that a shift toward renewable resources could lead Türkiye toward a more resilient, more energy-independent, and more democratic energy system:
“By creating new, decent jobs, this transformation can make a future where no one is left behind possible. With the right steps in the lead-up to and during COP31, Türkiye can demonstrate genuine global leadership in the fight against the climate crisis by delivering a presidency that supports a just transition away from fossil fuels.”
Climate Network
The Climate Network was established to develop policies that strengthen Türkiye’s fight against the climate crisis and bring together 16 civil society organisations working in this field.
Members of the Climate Network:
- Buğday Ekolojik Yaşamı Destekleme Derneği (Buğday Association for Supporting Ecological Living)
- Avrupa İklim Eylem Ağı (Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe) (Observer member)
- ClientEarth
- Doğa Derneği (Nature Association)
- Greenpeace Türkiye
- Hukuk Doğa ve Toplum Vakfı (Law, Nature and Society Foundation, HUDOTO)
- İklim Değişikliği Politika ve Araştırma Derneği (Climate Change Policy and Research Association, İDPAD)
- İklim için 350 Derneği (350.org Türkiye)
- Mekanda Adalet Derneği (Spatial Justice Association, MAD)
- Sürdürülebilir Ekonomi ve Finans Araştırmaları Derneği (Sustainable Economy and Finance Research Association, SEFiA)
- Temiz Hava Hakkı Derneği ( Right to Clean Air Association, THHD)
- Türetim Ekonomisi Derneği (Regenerative Economy Association)
- TEMA Foundation (The Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats)
- WWF-Türkiye
- Yeşil Düşünce Derneği (Green Thought Association, YDD)
- Fosil Yakıtların Ötesi Ağı (Beyond Fossil Fuels, BFF)