The work of the United Nations Climate Conference “COP 31” was launched in the Turkish city of Antalya today, Monday (November 9, 2026), which continues until November 20, with the participation of more than 100,000 people, including leaders of countries, government delegations, experts and representatives of civil society.
While traditional climate issues top the agenda, Türkiye and Australia's hosting of the summit stands out as one of the most politically interesting issues.
An unprecedented joint presidency
COP 31 marks the first of its kind in the history of climate conferences, as Türkiye and Australia share the presidency of the conference after a dispute that lasted more than a year over its hosting.
Under the agreed arrangement, Türkiye will organize the conference and supervise voluntary initiatives and pledges, while Australia will lead the formal negotiations between the countries. Observers believe that this model represents a real test of the two countries’ ability to coordinate during two weeks of intense negotiations, especially with indications of Ankara’s desire to play a role that goes beyond the organizational aspects to influence the course of the negotiation itself, according to what the French Le Monde and the German Frankfurter Allgemeine see.
A platform to enhance international influence
For both countries, the summit represents not only an environmental event, but also an opportunity to enhance international presence.
Turkey seeks to present itself as a bridge between the countries of the North and South, and aspires to use hosting the summit to enhance its diplomatic standing and its regional and international role. As for Australia, it seeks to highlight itself as a representative of the interests of Pacific island countries that face increasing threats as a result of rising sea levels and the repercussions of climate change.
Canberra also sees the summit as an opportunity to improve its climate image after years of criticism. Since Prime Minister Anthony Albanese came to power in 2022, his government has adopted policies aimed at accelerating the transition to renewable energy and reducing emissions to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
Climate discrepancies under the microscope
However, hosting the conference also places the two countries under tight international scrutiny, and highlights the existing contradictions in their climate policies, especially with regard to reliance on fossil fuels.
According to French Le Monde, the Australian government, in parallel with efforts to reduce emissions, approved 37 coal, oil or gas projects, whether through new projects, expansions or extensions of existing activities. Australia is also still the second largest coal exporter in the world, which prompts environmental organizations to question the consistency of its climate policies with its stated goals.
As for Türkiye, while it continues to expand in renewable energy projects, coal still plays a pivotal role in its energy mix, and the country continues to explore for oil and gas.
Erdogan and investing in the summit politically
In Türkiye, hosting COP31 is seen as an opportunity for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to boost his country's image and international influence. An analysis in the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung believes that Erdogan seeks to emerge as an international mediator and voice for the countries of the Global South, benefiting from hosting an international event that has a wide global following.
An article by the German newspaper also links Turkey's declared goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2053 with the symbolic dimension that Erdogan gives to this date, as it comes 600 years after the "Conquest of Constantinople" in 1453 by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.
A gap between Turkish ambitions and reality
Despite Türkiye's pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2053, it is still among the 20 largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the world.
It also delayed ratifying the Paris Climate Agreement until 2021, and many experts consider that its climate record is still modest compared to the size of its declared ambitions.
The paradox is most evident in the energy sector. The government supports the expansion of solar energy, wind energy, and electric cars, but at the same time it continues to support coal production and oil and gas exploration, without announcing a clear plan to gradually abandon coal.
Economic and geopolitical interests
Ankara's calculations go beyond the environmental file to broader economic and geopolitical considerations. According to Frankfurter Allgemeine, Turkey aspires to become a regional center for trade and transportation of oil and gas between Central Asia, the Gulf and Europe, which explains its reservations regarding some international calls aimed at accelerating the abandonment of fossil fuels.
Ankara also takes into account the interests of its main partners in the energy field, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Azerbaijan, and Russia, which is reflected in its approach to the files presented during the conference.
Turkish initiatives on the conference table
On the other hand, Türkiye seeks to present itself as part of the solution by putting forward a number of initiatives during the summit. Among the ideas promoted by Ankara is supporting a global goal to raise the percentage of reliance on electricity to 35 percent of global energy consumption by 2035, in addition to highlighting national projects such as the Turkish electric car “Tog,” and expanding renewable energy.
The government also pays special attention to the waste management file and the “Zero Waste” initiative led by Emine Erdogan, in an attempt to highlight Türkiye’s achievements in this field.
Increasing environmental pressures
But hosting the summit may also become a source of pressure on the Turkish government. Environmental organizations constantly criticize the continued dependence on coal, and the country is witnessing protests linked to deforestation and the expansion of mining activities.
The plastic waste file also stands out as one of the most sensitive topics, as Türkiye is the largest importer of European plastic waste. Observers fear that this file will turn into a prominent point of criticism during the conference.
Climate driving test
Ultimately, hosting COP 31 represents an important opportunity for both Turkey and Australia to strengthen their international presence and confirm their role in confronting climate change, but at the same time it places their environmental policies under unprecedented scrutiny.
