Contradictory records before the summit

News Centre As Turkey prepares to host the COP31 Climate Summit in Antalya, the gap between climate policies and their implementation on the ground has widened. An assessment titled “Confronting the Climate Crisis Ahead of COP31 in Antalya”, prepared by the Scientific Committee of the Turkish Foresters’ , highlighted the contradictions between the rhetoric of combating the climate crisis and the AKP government’s policies on energy, mining, land use, and urban development. The assessment emphasised that, rather than turning the summit into an event focused on international publicity and prestige, it is necessary to confront the root causes of the climate crisis.

Whilst Turkey’s greenhouse gas emissions have been rising for many years and energy policies centred on coal, oil, and natural gas have continued, investments in mining, energy, transport, and tourism have increased pressure on forests, pastures, wetlands, and coastlines. UNPLANNED URBANISATION Another factor increasing the country’s vulnerability to the climate crisis has been improper land use and unplanned urbanisation. The opening up of riverbeds to development, the conversion of floodplains into settlements, and the draining of wetlands have exacerbated the destructive effects of floods and flash floods.

One of the key points highlighted in the assessment was Antalya, where preparations for COP31 are underway. It was noted that the EXPO site where the summit is to be held and its surroundings are situated amongst prime agricultural land. The proposal to expand the site, introduce new transport links, and provide additional car park facilities presented a picture that contradicted the very principles of the climate summit.

Whilst the necessity of phasing out fossil fuels is acknowledged at international summits, it was stated that countries prioritise their economic growth targets over their climate targets. Speaking to BirGün, Assoc. Prof.

Dr Oğuz Kurdoğlu from the Faculty of Forestry at Karadeniz Technical University explained that the “35×35” target on COP31’s action agenda aims to increase the share of electricity in total energy consumption to 35 % by 2035. “Electrification alone cannot guarantee a reduction in emissions. If the rising demand for electricity is met with coal and fossil gas, emissions will actually rise.

There is no need to explain what such a target means, particularly for developing countries and those continuing to invest in fossil fuel energy,” he said.  “On the one hand, our country is running full-throttle advertising campaigns at COP31 claiming ‘climate leadership’ (!) whilst, on the other hand, it is making huge investments in coal – even implementing measures that will destroy forests and olive groves for this purpose,” said Kurdoğlu. “Who will explain this contradiction?

Perhaps the illustrious mining companies and fossil fuel energy firms, which have spared no material or moral support for this summit, will explain it. Will COP31 be a turning point that strengthens Turkey’s climate targets and measures, or will it make the gap between the country’s current policies and the claims it makes to the international community even more apparent? If humanity continues to rely on stalling tactics, it is oblivious to the disaster that has already arrived at our doorstep.

What a pity,” he said.