Türkiye aims to build national climate awareness ahead of hosting COP31

Türkiye is mobilizing to host the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in 2026 with an objective that extends beyond diplomacy to fostering deep-rooted, nationwide climate consciousness. Deputy Director of the Directorate of Climate Change, Orhan Solak, emphasized that the preparation involves building "permanent institutional and societal awareness that reaches every corner of the country."

Upgrading national climate commitments

A central component of the domestic push is the ongoing update of Türkiye's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), its official UN climate action plan. The country is finalizing a more ambitious 2030 emissions reduction target and a long-term low-emission strategy extending to 2053. The updated plan will emphasize renewable energy, energy efficiency, a just transition in coal-dependent regions, and nature-based solutions.

COP31 as a pivotal implementation moment

Solak framed COP31, with a leaders' summit in Istanbul and the main conference in Antalya, as a critical juncture for turning international agreements into tangible action. He stated it will be a decisive moment for making adaptation targets measurable, establishing transparent climate finance, and ensuring just transition policies genuinely protect vulnerable communities. Hosting the summit is viewed as an opportunity to solidify Türkiye's image as a solution-oriented actor in global climate diplomacy.

Context of escalating climate impacts

The urgency of the effort is underscored by tangible climate impacts within Türkiye, including extreme heat, droughts, flash floods, and forest fires. Solak cited World Meteorological Organization data confirming 2024 as the hottest year on record, with the global temperature rise exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for a full calendar year. This reality, he noted, makes accelerating the implementation of climate policies a strategic necessity for every nation.