Turkey Hosts COP31 Climate Summit in Antalya
As host nation Turkey approaches the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, the country is promoting a global electrification pledge while facing criticism from campaigners over its ongoing reliance on coal and weak climate targets.
The country has approved over 33 gigawatts of battery storage projects since 2022, enough to power more than 27 million homes, according to dw.com. This storage infrastructure complements wind and solar assets that now provide 22% of Turkey’s electricity, up from 4.5% a decade ago.
Renewables Boom Overshadowed by Coal Expansion
Despite rapid growth in clean energy, Turkey’s coal-fired electricity generation jumped by roughly one-third over the last decade, dw.com reported. In 2024, Turkey surpassed Germany and Poland to claim the highest coal power capacity in Europe.
Unlike many industrialized nations, Turkey has not committed to a fossil fuel phaseout date and has plans to expand two existing coal-fired power plants, dw.com reported. “Turkey’s current climate target allows emissions to keep rising until 2038,” dw.com noted, which complicates the nation’s stated path to net zero by 2053.
Push for Global Electrification and Energy Security
To reduce its heavy reliance on imported energy—purchasing 95% of its natural gas and 83% of its crude oil from abroad—Ankara has launched the “35×35” global electrification pledge, dw.com reported. The initiative aims to raise global economic electrification from 20% to 35% by 2035.
Speaking on November 5, COP31 President and Environment Minister Murat Kurum stated that energy imports leave nations vulnerable to volatile global markets, according to straitstimes.com. “This year’s energy crisis has shocked us… everyone now understands that energy that you import is energy that you do not control,” Kurum said, as reported by straitstimes.com.
Campaigners Criticize Turkey's Electrification Targets
Environmental campaigners argue that the 35% electrification target sidesteps the central issue of ongoing coal reliance, straitstimes.com reported. Greenpeace Turkey energy campaigner Emel Turker Alpay told al-monitor.com that electrification must be paired with a clear commitment to end fossil fuel dependence.
Independent research group Climate Action Tracker classifies Turkey’s climate goals as “critically insufficient,” warning that official targets permit a 16% greenhouse gas increase from current levels by 2035. Meanwhile, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar unveiled a $500 billion roadmap on November 5 to quadruple wind and solar capacity to 175 gigawatts, while stating that phasing out coal depends on developing nuclear power, straitstimes.com reported.
What the 35×35 Electrification Pledge Entails
What is the 35×35 electrification pledge?
Launched by Turkey ahead of COP31, the non-binding pledge aims to increase the electrification of global energy demand from just over 20% today to 35% by 2035 to improve energy security and cut emissions, according to dw.com and straitstimes.com.
How much of Turkey’s energy relies on imports?
Turkey imports 95% of its natural gas, 83% of its crude oil, and 60% of its coal, making its economy highly vulnerable to international market fluctuations, dw.com reported.
What are Turkey’s official goals for renewable energy expansion?
Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced a $500 billion roadmap on November 5 to expand the nation’s installed wind and solar capacity fourfold to 175 gigawatts, straitstimes.com reported.