Türkiye Sets New Climate Goals Ahead of COP31 Conference

Türkiye's Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, unveiled new global electricity and climate targets during a climate meeting in Bonn, Germany, in June, ahead of the COP31 climate conference scheduled for November in Antalya, Türkiye. Kurum, who is also the COP31 president, plans to build an international coalition to achieve these targets.

Key goals include reducing global waste by half by 2035 and cutting energy consumption intensity in the building sector by at least 25% within the same period. Kurum emphasized that food waste contributes to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily methane, which is a highly potent greenhouse gas.

Meanwhile, UN climate chief Simon Stiell urged countries to accelerate the implementation of existing climate commitments, warning that continued dependence on fossil fuels threatens economic stability and increases climate risks for vulnerable populations. Stiell stressed the need for faster action on renewable energy, climate finance, and food security.