Turkish villagers demand COP31 leaders see for themselves devastation caused by coal

Residents of the Turkish village of Ikizkoy, located near a coal mine, are urging world leaders attending the COP31 climate talks to witness firsthand the damage caused by decades of lignite extraction. Nejla Isik, a local elected official, says world leaders must travel a few hundred kilometers west to Ikizkoy, near Akbelen forest, to see the impact of coal on nature and people's lives.

Villagers have long protested against coal mining, resulting in fines, arrests, and a two-year prison sentence for Isik's daughter, Esra, for her involvement in a protest against land expropriation for mining. Lignite, the lowest grade of coal, releases more carbon dioxide when burned than higher-grade coal, making it a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

Turkey currently generates 34% of its power from coal, making it Europe's largest coal-fired electricity generator. The mines in Akbelen provide coal for power plants that generate just over 2% of Turkey's electricity. Villagers and environmental campaigners claim the expansion of lignite mining has destroyed forests and threatens olive groves, farmland, and communities.

The fight against coal has had severe consequences, with Isik's daughter facing a two-year prison sentence for resisting public officials. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar stated that Turkey is working towards a just transition to cleaner energy, but the mines' employment of thousands of people poses a challenge. Rights groups have expressed concern over restrictions on protests in Turkey, citing arbitrary arrests, mass detentions, and disproportionate use of force against environmental protesters.