Türkiye positions itself as climate bridge between global north and south

Türkiye has officially declared its candidacy to host the COP31 United Nations climate summit in 2026, with Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz positioning the country as a potential mediator between Global North and South in climate negotiations. The announcement came during the COP30 Leaders Summit in Belem, Brazil, where Yilmaz outlined Türkiye's ambitious climate agenda and its vision for international cooperation.

Bridging Global Divides

Addressing world leaders, Yilmaz emphasized that "climate change is no longer just an environmental issue but a complex global challenge threatening the gains achieved toward sustainable development goals." He positioned Türkiye as uniquely qualified to facilitate dialogue between developed and developing nations, stating the country "is ready to assume a bridging role between the North and the South in the fight against climate change." The vice president directly linked climate justice to resolving humanitarian crises, particularly highlighting the situation in Gaza as essential for sustainable development.

Domestic Climate Achievements

Yilmaz detailed Türkiye's substantial progress in implementing climate measures, including exceeding 60% renewable energy in total installed capacity and adopting a net-zero emissions target for 2053. He highlighted the passage of Türkiye's first Climate Law, which establishes frameworks for an Emissions Trading System, Green Finance Strategy, and National Green Taxonomy. The vice president also noted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent announcement of more ambitious emission reduction targets, lowering the 2035 goal from 695 million tons to 643 million tons.

Comprehensive Green Transformation

The Turkish official outlined a multi-sector approach to climate action, emphasizing improvements in energy efficiency, promotion of low-carbon technologies, circular economy practices in industry, and expanded rail transport and electric vehicle infrastructure. Yilmaz reaffirmed Türkiye's commitment to turning Paris Agreement pledges into concrete action through both domestic reforms and international leadership, positioning the COP31 bid as a demonstration of this commitment to strengthening the global climate agenda.