Message from Minister Kurum to the world at COP31: Climate risks have no limits

NEWS CENTER Speaking in Antalya within the scope of the COP31 program, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum said that global climate policies should not be limited only to targets and commitments. Providing information about the work carried out with Australia during the COP31 Presidency process, the Authority drew attention to the importance of countries turning their national climate targets into direct investment programs.

The institution stated that climate targets should be included in the budgets and emphasized that this process should be transformed into concrete projects that support technology, production, employment and welfare.

“LET'S TRANSFORM CLIMATE GOALS INTO INVESTMENT PROGRAMS”

Stating that the global climate struggle should enter a new implementation period, the Institution pointed out the importance of considering national targets together with economic programs.

The institution said, "Let's turn our national climate targets into investment programs. Let the targets be reflected in the budgets. Let the budgets activate the projects, and the projects should activate technology, production, employment and welfare."

Touching on the targets regarding energy transformation, the Authority stated that it is aimed to increase the share of electricity in final energy consumption to 35 percent by 2035.

Stating that this target is important not only in terms of energy policy but also in terms of energy security and technological transformation, the Authority said that there is a need for stronger cooperation on a global scale.

35 PERCENT TARGET FOR 2035

The institution stated that electrification will be one of the determining topics in the energy transformation and drew attention to the global electrification targets for 2035.

He stated that increasing the share of electricity in energy consumption will play a critical role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels, as well as developing new technologies and strengthening energy security.

The institution stated that the current understanding of development cannot be built on the assumption that natural resources are unlimited, and noted that the world's resources are limited and the current consumption model is not sustainable.

EMPHASIS ON ZERO WASTE AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Kurum, who also devoted extensive space to the Zero Waste movement in his speech, said that the project initiated under the leadership of Emine Erdoğan constitutes an important model for the global climate struggle.

The institution stated that the concept of circular economy should be disseminated, waste should be reduced and methane emissions should be reduced, and that these topics are among the directly applicable tools of climate action.

Stating that sustainable development cannot be achieved only by changing energy production methods, the Institution underlined that consumption habits and production models must also be transformed.

“LET'S MOVE FROM COMMITMENT TO ACCESS IN CLIMATE FINANCE”

One of the prominent topics in the Institution's speech was climate finance. Stating that many projects await financing for many years, the Institution said that international financial resources should be made faster and more accessible.

The institution said, "If projects wait for financing for years, if resources do not turn into investment or if countries face heavy debt burdens, we are losing time and common solution capacity."

Pointing out that problems in accessing finance make it difficult for developing countries to implement climate projects, the Institution stated that new financing mechanisms should be created more quickly and in a feasible manner.

“CLIMATE APPLICATION BRIDGE” FROM COP31

Providing information about the "Climate Implementation Bridge" they developed as the COP31 Presidency, the Authority said that this mechanism aims to close the gap between climate targets and financing.

According to the information provided by the Institution, the system; It aims to bring together countries' national climate plans with concrete projects, projects with financing sources, and financing with technology and expertise.

Thus, it is aimed that political will will not be limited only to the commitments made at international meetings, but will turn into investments implemented directly on the field.

CITIES WILL PREPARE FOR CLIMATE RISKS

Murat Kurum said that the third important topic in the fight against climate change is resilience. Stating that cities, water resources, agricultural systems and critical infrastructure should be prepared according to climate risks that may arise in the future, the Institution called for resilience policies to be placed at the center of national development plans.

The institution believes that the effects of climate change are not only environmental; He pointed out that it also has economic and social consequences.

For this reason, he noted that long-term preparations need to be made in many areas, from urban planning to agriculture, from water management to transportation.

“WE BUILT 500 THOUSAND CLIMATE RESISTANT HOUSES”

Referring to the reconstruction efforts in Turkey's earthquake zone, Kurum said that 500 thousand climate-resistant houses were built in two years.

Stating that Turkey gained significant restructuring experience in this process, Kurum stated that this experience can be shared with countries struggling with climate-related disasters.

The institution emphasized that Turkey is ready for international cooperation, especially on the reconstruction of cities after disasters, the production of durable housing and the strengthening of infrastructure.

“CLIMATE JUSTICE” MESSAGE FROM THE INSTITUTION

Drawing attention to climate justice, Kurum continued his speech and said that global climate policies should take into account the economic and social conditions of countries.

Stating that not every country has the same opportunities, the Authority pointed out that the right to development of developing countries should be protected.

Stating that fragile countries' access to finance and technology should be facilitated, the Authority stated that a more equitable system can be established in which everyone can benefit from climate transformation.

“WE ARE READY TO BE A BRIDGE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST, NORTH AND SOUTH”

Stating that Turkey's geographical and historical location offers a significant advantage in global climate negotiations, Kurum said that Turkey is ready to contribute to international consensus under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Stating that Turkey has a bridge position between east and west, north and south, Kurum stated that they can contribute to the meeting of different countries around common goals.

“THERE IS NO LIMIT TO WATER, FOOD AND CLIMATE RISKS”

At the end of its speech, the institution drew attention to the importance of global cooperation. Stating that states can compete in different fields and defend their national interests, the Authority said that joint action should be taken on climate change.

The institution pointed out that water, food, disasters and climate risks do not recognize country borders, and emphasized that solidarity should come to the fore instead of competition in these areas.

Turkey's priorities during the COP31 process will include turning climate goals into investments, accelerating access to finance, creating resilient cities and supporting developing countries in the transformation process.