Greenpeace Turkey called for a gradual exit from fossil fuels and a ban on plastic waste imports with the "Move to the Top" campaign it launched one month before the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) to be held in Antalya.
Greenpeace Türkiye stated that it aims to bring the demands of those affected by the climate crisis to the agenda of the summit in Antalya with the campaign it launched before COP31.
Within the scope of the campaign, a research titled "Water in the shadow of coal: The invisible cost of Turkey's energy choices" was also published. The research focused on the effects of coal-fired thermal power plants and mines on water resources and included human stories from coal regions, especially Muğla and Elbistan.
In the research, it was stated that the annual dewatering in the mining enterprises in Elbistan reached 113.3 million cubic meters, and the underground water of the basin had a deficit of 28.8 million cubic meters per year. It was reported that access to irrigation and drinking water for the residents of the region is becoming increasingly difficult and the situation also affects agricultural production.
“NEW COAL THERMAL POWER PLANS SHOULD BE CANCELLED”
Greenpeace Türkiye Climate and Energy Campaigns Officer Emel Türker Alpay stated that climate summits should be platforms where the voices of those affected by the climate crisis and energy policies can be heard.
Arguing that coal use creates effects not only in the production regions but also throughout Türkiye on the environment, health and economy, Alpay made the following call to Türkiye, which will host COP31:
"Plans for new coal-fired thermal power plants should be cancelled; a commitment should be made that no new coal-fired power plants will be built from now on; a date should be announced for a fair coal exit that does not leave behind those who make their living from coal."
CALL FROM GREENPEACE TO BAN THE IMPORT OF PLASTIC WASTE
Berk Butan, Greenpeace Turkey Social and Economic Campaigns Officer, also pointed out that COP31 in Antalya will be the first COP held on the Mediterranean coast and said that plastic pollution in the region should also be brought to the agenda in addition to the climate crisis.
Stating that Turkey imports a significant amount of waste from Europe, Bhutan argued that imported and unrecycled plastic waste is mixed into the Mediterranean. Bhutan said, "In order for Turkey to set an example in Zero Waste, it must first ban waste imports permanently and without exception."
GREENPEACE: COP31 MUST PRODUCE CONCRETE STEPS AGAINST FOSSIL FUELS
Greenpeace International Global Climate Policy Expert Tracy Carty called for concrete decisions to be taken at COP31 for a "fair and rapid" exit from fossil fuels.
Stating that Turkey defined the summit as an "Implementation COP", Carty said: "We support this goal and we will follow this promise by ensuring that the implementation means concrete steps to end fossil fuels."
Greenpeace Australia Pacific COP31 Project Leader Simon Bradshaw also called on Australia, which will assume the chairmanship of negotiations at COP31, to prepare a national road map to phase out fossil fuel production and exports.
Bradshaw argued that Australia's continued approval of new coal, oil and natural gas projects contradicts the country's climate targets.
