Türkiye Urges Shift From Climate Pledges to Action Ahead of COP31

Türkiye has called on the international community to move beyond climate pledges and focus on implementing existing commitments ahead of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP31, scheduled to take place in Antalya from November 9 to 20, 2026.

The country is positioning the conference as an implementation-focused summit aimed at translating decisions from previous climate negotiations into measurable results on the ground.

Samed Ağırbaş, COP31 High-Level Climate Champion and president of the Zero Waste Foundation, said the summit should prioritise putting existing agreements into practice rather than introducing additional targets without clear implementation plans.

He noted that more than 80 decisions had been adopted at climate conferences over the past three decades, arguing that the priority should now be to demonstrate tangible progress in addressing climate change.

Ağırbaş identified waste reduction, tackling plastic pollution, accelerating electrification and supporting the transition away from fossil fuels as important areas for action.

He also stressed the importance of climate justice and financing, particularly for developing countries that face significant financial and technical barriers to implementing climate commitments.

Türkiye has emphasised the need for developed countries, financial institutions, businesses and international investors to work together to mobilise resources for the green transition.

At an investment summit held in Istanbul on October 23, Turkish climate officials and business leaders also called for stronger partnerships between governments, banks and investors to turn climate commitments into actual investments.

Halil Hasar, Türkiye’s chief climate diplomacy officer, said dialogue and consensus must lead to concrete action, highlighting the role of private capital in meeting developing countries’ financing needs.

The COP31 agenda also places emphasis on zero-waste initiatives, methane reduction, climate-resilient cities, green industrialisation and expanding public awareness of climate change.

Türkiye is seeking to involve governments, civil society organisations, young people, women, universities, municipalities and private-sector representatives in preparations for the conference.

The summit comes as countries face growing pressure to demonstrate progress under the Paris Agreement, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening resilience to climate-related disasters.

Türkiye has said the success of COP31 will depend on whether participating countries can turn previously agreed commitments into practical measures, with financing, international cooperation and accountability central to the process.