From Antalya to the world: From words to action for the climate

Climate change is no longer a warning about the future; today's reality... Farmers living in drought in their fields, cities struggling with floods, heat waves that get longer every summer tell us all the same thing: Our time is running out. But I am not pessimistic about this picture. Because I believe that there is no problem that humanity cannot overcome with common mind and common will. COP31, which we will host in Antalya on November 9-20, will be one of the most important meetings where this belief will be tested.

Türkiye is at the top of the table for the first time

The 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is being held for the first time in our country. It is a great honor and also a great responsibility for me to chair this process with the decision of our President. We will host representatives of 197 countries, more than 100 leaders and nearly 1.5 million participants in Antalya.

Hosting a COP is not just about managing an organization. Standing at the center of the negotiations that shape the world's climate agenda means bringing different views together at the same table and rebuilding trust. This is exactly how we see this mission.

Why “COP of Practice”?

To date, important decisions have been taken in the COP processes and ambitious targets have been set. This journey from Kyoto to Paris laid the foundations of international climate policy. However, there is one fact that we must clearly accept: The distance between the promises made and the steps taken on the field is still very large.

That's why we defined our COP31 vision as "Implementation COP". Rather than making new promises in Antalya, we want to talk about how to implement the promises made. I can summarize our approach in three words: Dialogue, compromise and action. Dialogue allows us to understand each other. Compromise creates shared responsibility. Action turns commitments into real solutions.

With this understanding, we built our action agenda on 10 priority areas: Zero Waste, clean energy transformation, food security, climate resilient cities, green industrialization, youth and education, oceans and seas, resilient health systems, Rio Synergy and Climate Implementation Bridge. We linked these areas to measurable targets for 2035. We aim to increase the global electrification rate to 35%, halve the increase in waste production, reduce energy intensity in buildings by at least 25%, and increase the use of circular materials in industry to at least 15%. The Climate Implementation Bridge will support countries in transforming their national contribution declarations into investable projects.

make what is spoken visible

We are building two separate worlds in an area of 1.1 million square meters in Antalya. In the Blue Zone, leaders and delegations will discuss the future of the climate. In the Green Zone, we will show how what is discussed at the negotiation table comes to life on the field: how green energy is used, how waste is managed, where food comes to the table. This field, where everyone from the private sector to the academy, from civil society to young people produces solutions, will be Turkey's showcase to the world.

The legacy of a civilization in harmony with nature

Turkey's climate and environmental approach takes its roots from the civilizational accumulation of these lands. In this geography extending from the Hittites to the Ottomans, avoiding waste, treating nature as a trust, and hosting guests in the best way has always been a value. We will introduce this heritage to the world with the understanding of "7 Regions, 7 Cuisines" in the Anatolian Garden in the Green Zone.

We reflect the same understanding in today's policies. In line with our 2053 net zero emission target, we are taking decisive steps in many areas, from renewable energy to resilient cities, from green industry to circular economy. We also planned COP31 with this approach. The summit will be held as a sustainable model in accordance with ISO 20121 standards, with low-emission transportation, water and energy efficiency and carbon balancing practices. With the principle of "Leaving No One Behind", we will ensure equal participation of everyone with barrier-free areas and 35 sign language interpreters. The rate of local product use in food and beverage areas will be over 90%. Thus, our producer from Antalya will be one of the winners of this process.

As we host the world in Antalya, we have only one goal: Let not only the decisions taken but also the solutions implemented from this summit remain. On this path, I invite all countries, institutions and each of us to shared responsibility.

Zero Waste: Turkey's signature

Zero Waste is much more than a program title at COP31; The organization itself will operate with this understanding. I attach great importance to this, because Zero Waste is not a slogan for us, it is a way of life that has grown with effort over the years.

The Zero Waste movement, which started in 2017 under the auspices of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, has spread to all areas of life, from our schools to our hospitals, from our municipalities to our homes. The United Nations' declaration of March 30 as International Zero Waste Day under the leadership of Türkiye showed that this knowledge was reciprocated in the world.

We will share this experience with the whole world at COP31. We established the 10 thousand square meter Zero Waste Museum in the Blue Zone. At the Zero Waste Application and Workshop Center in the Green Zone, our children and young people will learn practically to reduce, separate and reuse waste. We carry this understanding beyond the conference area. Our Solak, Demirciler and Ormana villages in Antalya will inspire our guests as Zero Waste villages.