Turkey’s COP31 message: electrify, recycle, don’t mention coal

As COP31 climate summit preparations intensify, Turkey's host nation is championing electrification and zero waste initiatives as solutions to climate change. COP31 President and Environment Minister Murat Kurum will announce Turkey's goal to make electricity account for 35% of global energy demand by 2035, touting this non-binding target as a cornerstone of their 10-point Action Agenda.

Turkey's renewable energy push includes a $500 billion roadmap to quadruple wind and solar capacity, but critics argue the plan fails to address coal reliance and plastic waste imports. Environmental campaigners claim Turkey sidesteps the "elephant in the room"—its ongoing dependence on coal and its role as Europe's plastic waste dumping ground.

While Turkey aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 41% by 2035, its progress falls short of climate leaders, with some arguing that the country's targets are insufficient and lack urgency.