COP31 Opens in Antalya Amid Criticism of Turkey's Waste Policies

Negotiations for the annual United Nations climate summit, designated as COP31, commenced today in Antalya, a Mediterranean resort city in Turkey. The event convenes thousands of diplomats, corporate executives, and world leaders to negotiate collective agreements on climate change. For Turkish environmentalists, the gathering creates a high-profile forum to pressure the government on its domestic environmental record.

Turkey’s diplomatic posture has shifted in recent years. The nation previously delayed ratifying international climate accords for decades. A reality check arrived approximately five years ago following deadly wildfires within its borders. European trade taxes also placed pressure on the economy. In 2021, Turkey ratified the Paris Agreement, a legally binding treaty designed to limit global warming. The government subsequently established a dedicated ministry for climate affairs.

Ümit Şahin, head of the climate change program at the Istanbul Policy Center, described the hosting of COP31 as a move to showcase Turkey’s status as a serious middle power. He noted that the primary driver was prestige. Despite the new ministry, Şahin stated that Turkey has produced action plans and strategies but lacks a comprehensive climate policy. He highlighted the Zero Waste campaign as a key example of the gap between policy and practice. Turkey accepts more European plastic waste than any other country. Şahin argued that much of this material is burned or dumped rather than recycled. He called the campaign the number one instance of greenwashing in the country.

Local activists are organizing a parallel event, the People's Climate Summit, to amplify their demands. Çiğdem Özbaş, a volunteer with the group, accused the government of stripping local protections and favoring business interests over rural communities. She pointed to the summit’s sponsors as evidence of the disconnect. Limak Holding, an infrastructure firm, is expanding coal mines on ancient olive groves. Real estate developer Sinpaş GYO constructed a luxury resort by pouring concrete inside a national park. Özbaş predicted that many companies with ecological impacts would present themselves as eco-friendly during the negotiations.

The Turkish Ministry of Climate did not respond to a request for comment. However, Özlem Katısöz from the Turkey chapter of Climate Action Network Europe viewed the summit as an opportunity. She argued that hosting the event forces the government to improve its domestic policies to maintain credibility in global discussions. Katısöz believes the summit creates an opening for civil society to hold the government accountable.

The summit will proceed with sessions on global climate policies. Turkish officials aim to use the platform to demonstrate the country’s capacity as a global player. Critics plan to continue their pressure campaigns alongside the official proceedings.