COP31 opens in Antalya as critics accuse Turkey of greenwashing
Thousands of diplomats and leaders arrived for the U.N. climate summit, but local activists warn that corporate sponsors and domestic policies contradict the host nation's environmental goals.
By Justin Barnes ·
The United Nations climate summit opened in Antalya, Turkey, bringing thousands of diplomats, corporate executives, and world leaders to the Mediterranean resort city. The event, known as COP31, is where nearly every country gathers to negotiate collective agreements on climate change. For Turkish environmentalists, the summit is a moment of intense scrutiny rather than just diplomatic ceremony.
The Turkish government promoted the event through a ministry video featuring misty forests and mountain landscapes. The narrator asked how long the air could remain protected, claiming the answer lies in Turkey. Ümit Şahin, head of the climate change program at the Istanbul Policy Center, said the primary driver for hosting was prestige. He described the summit as a showcase for Turkey's status as a serious middle power and global player.
Şahin noted that Turkey delayed joining climate agreements for decades. Deadly wildfires at home about five years ago and European trade taxes forced a policy shift. In 2021, the country ratified the Paris Agreement and created a dedicated climate ministry. However, Şahin argued that the government has produced action plans and paperwork without implementing a real climate policy.
Critics point to the Zero Waste campaign as a key example of greenwashing. This initiative aims to recycle or reuse all waste materials. Şahin stated that Turkey imports more European plastic waste than any other nation. He said much of this material is burned or dumped rather than recycled. He argued that if the government were sincere about Zero Waste, it would first ban the import of plastic waste.
Local activists are organizing a parallel conference to pressure world leaders. Çiğdem Özbaş, a volunteer at the People's Climate Summit, accused the government of stripping local protections and favoring business interests over farmers and rural communities. She predicted that the main summit would feature lies about technological solutions and companies engaged in ecological destruction.
Activists also highlighted the event's sponsors as evidence of conflicting interests. Limak Holding, an infrastructure giant, is expanding coal mines on ancient olive groves. Real estate developer Sinpaş GYO poured concrete inside a national park to build a luxury resort. The Turkish Ministry of Climate did not respond to requests for comment regarding these connections.
Özlem Katısöz of the Turkey chapter of Climate Action Network Europe offered a more hopeful perspective. She said hosting COP31 forces Turkey to face its own laws. Katısöz believes the country must improve its domestic climate policies to have a credible voice in global discussions. She views the summit as an opening for Turkish civil society to hold the government accountable for its environmental record.
