At COP31, which started in Antalya, climate finance became the main topic of discussion: Money fight at the summit

The 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change started in Antalya with the debate on who will pay the bill for the climate crisis. 196 countries and representatives of the European Union (EU) attended the opening of the summit, which was hosted by Turkey for the first time under the co-chairmanship of Australia and will last until November 20.

Long registration and security queues formed at the entrance of the 1 million square meter EXPO area in Aksu in the morning. Mounted police officers and climate activists in interesting costumes created colorful images.

IT STARTED FROM THE NIGHT

The main sponsors of the summit, which started in the coolest weather I have ever seen in Antalya, are Koç Holding, Garanti Bank, Türk Telekom and TOKİ. One of the issues discussed is that companies such as Cengiz Holding, Limak, IC Holding and Rönesans are among the supporters. The most important issue of the summit is financing. According to foreign media reports, the quest to bring the financing issue of developing countries to the official agenda was discussed until late on Sunday night.

The climate finance work program decided in Brazil last year was put on the agenda. The EU representative stated that they are concerned that this step will bring the compromise reached at COP30 into discussion again. The African group's request to triple adaptation financing did not become a separate agenda item because no consensus could be reached. Adaptation financing covers the resources needed to respond to the current impacts of the climate crisis, from drought-resistant agriculture to flood protection infrastructure.

On the first day of the summit's public 'Green' zone, the agenda was water security, drought and food supply. The summit is chaired by the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, while the negotiations are led by the Australian Minister of Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen. 95 countries and seven international organizations will participate at leadership level.

There are 37 heads of state and 35 heads of government on the list. Additionally, more than 300 ministers are expected. The Leaders Summit hosted by President Erdoğan will be on 11-12 November.

WORKERS ARE ALSO AT THE SUMMIT

Türkiye presents COP31 as an "implementation summit" where previous commitments will turn into investments. For the exporter, the calendar is already ticking. The EU's "Border Carbon Regulation Mechanism", which has been implemented, reflects the emissions resulting from the production of certain products, including iron-steel, cement and aluminum, to the import cost.

Alternative activities of unions and activists to the international summit will also continue until November 20. DİSK will announce its "social policy proposals for a just transition" within the scope of COP31 tomorrow. 36 unionists from 21 countries will attend the meeting where Chairman Arzu Çerkezoğlu will speak. At the meeting, workers' rights in the fight against the climate crisis will be discussed.

HOTELS IN ANTALYA ARE FULL

The AKP government, which renovated the EXPO area in Antalya with billions of investments, hopes that COP31 will make a significant contribution to the Turkish economy. Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum had said that the summit could create direct economic activity of approximately 2 billion dollars and total added value of 3-4 billion dollars. At the center of this expectation are the tourism and service sectors. The demand created by international delegations, business world representatives, non-governmental organizations and press members for accommodation, transportation, food and beverage and organization services in Antalya is intense.