The Awareness Raising Conference on Climate Action in Türkiye After COP30, organized under the EU Partnership for Local Climate Action in Türkiye Project, was held in Istanbul on 12 December 2025. The conference addressed the key themes emerging from global climate negotiations following COP30 and discussed how these processes are reflected in Türkiye’s national and local climate policies.

During the event, the outcomes of COP30 in terms of climate action in Türkiye, as well as the roadmap toward COP31, were discussed. One of the key messages highlighted was that, in line with Türkiye’s “leave no one behind” approach, Türkiye will lead the COP process in close coordination with Australia in its role as COP President.

The event opened with remarks by Orhan Solak, Deputy Head of the Directorate of Climate Change; Monica Merino, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Türkiye Resident Representative; and Maria Luisa Wyganowski, Representative of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye.

Orhan Solak noted that climate change is increasing both the frequency and severity of disasters in Türkiye. Recalling that 2024 was the hottest year on record, he emphasized the need for COP30 decisions to deliver measurable results and concrete implementation on the ground. Solak highlighted that COP31, to be hosted by Türkiye in Antalya, will play a critical role in addressing climate finance needs, advancing Global Goal on Adaptation indicators, and supporting the local implementation of socially inclusive climate policies.

UNDP Türkiye Resident Representative Monica Merino recalled that the Paris Agreement is entering its tenth year, underscoring that the coming period will be critical for transitioning from planning to implementation. She emphasized that climate change is no longer a distant threat, as impacts such as heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and biodiversity loss are already affecting societies and economies. Merino noted that COP30 outcomes placed implementation, finance, and solidarity at the centre of global climate action. She described Türkiye’s announcement of its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) at COP30 as an important step and highlighted COP31 as a major opportunity for Türkiye to strengthen its regional climate leadership. Merino reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to continuing its support for strengthening local climate action, enhancing stakeholder capacities, and advancing climate action in Türkiye.

Maria Luisa Wyganowski stated that the post-COP30 period marks the beginning of the transition “from ambition to implementation” on the road to COP31. Referring to the European Green Deal, she highlighted the European Union’s strong leadership in pursuing its targets to reduce emissions by 55 per cent by 2030 and to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Wyganowski noted that the EU has provided more than EUR 1.5 billion in support to Türkiye to date through IPA funds in the areas of environment, climate and sustainable infrastructure. She noted that key COP30 outcomes included increased adaptation finance, the adoption of global adaptation indicators, the Gender Action Plan and the Just Transition mechanism, and reaffirmed the European Union’s readiness to continue close cooperation with Türkiye throughout the COP31 process.

Following the opening session, Ali Cem Deniz, UNDP Türkiye Project Manager, presented the objectives, components and achievements of the EU Partnership for Local Climate Action in Türkiye Project. He emphasized the project’s focus on strengthening the capacity of local governments to address climate change and highlighted the central role of local climate action in achieving national climate targets. The presentation covered Local Climate Change Action Plans (LCCAPs), capacity development activities and awareness-raising efforts.

The first panel, titled “Türkiye’s COP30 Journey and the National Climate Agenda,” examined key negotiation topics discussed at COP30, their implications for Türkiye’s climate policies and the roadmap for the upcoming period. Panelists stressed the importance of addressing policy development, implementation and monitoring together to ensure tangible results. The discussion also highlighted that COP31 in Antalya will be organized through a participatory approach that leaves no one behind.

The afternoon panel, “Financing the Green Transition – Post-COP30 Approaches of National and International Institutions,” was moderated by Mürsel Akbulut, Head of the Climate Finance and Incentives Department of the Directorate of Climate Change. Panelists discussed the importance of climate finance, existing and potential financing mechanisms to support the green transition, and the respective roles of the public and private sectors. The session highlighted access to finance as a key driver of accelerated climate action and emphasized the importance of enabling local governments to effectively utilize available financial resources.

The final panel of the day, “Climate Action for Society – The Role of Civil Society and International Organizations,”was moderated by Meral Mungan Arda, UNDP Türkiye Climate Change and Environment Portfolio Manager. The discussion emphasized that inclusive and participatory approaches are essential to strengthening climate action, and that the active engagement of youth, women and vulnerable groups is critical to the success of climate policies.

The conference aimed to strengthen stakeholder knowledge exchange, promote the dissemination of good practices and increase awareness of climate negotiations under the EU Partnership for Local Climate Action in Türkiye Project. The event provided an important platform for advancing local climate action in Türkiye in the post-COP30 period.

Preparations are underway for the Action Agenda, which will shape the COP31 agenda in the coming period. In this context, Türkiye’s Zero Waste Initiative is expected to play an active role in the process.