Türkiye warns of Mediterranean warming ahead of COP31 in Antalya

The COP31 Presidency released a documentary warning that the Mediterranean is warming faster than many regions worldwide, days before the summit begins in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20. Türkiye is seeking an international commitment to raise electricity’s share of global energy consumption to 35% by 2035.

Days before the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP31 begins in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, the conference presidency released the Mediterranean episode of the documentary series “The Heat Is Coming” in a warning to countries on both shores of the basin.

The film says the Mediterranean is warming faster than many regions of the world, while rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and growing climate risks are threatening ecosystems, communities and livelihoods across the region. It stresses that the Mediterranean’s future “depends on what we do today.”

“The implementation conference”

Türkiye is presiding over and hosting the conference, while Australia is leading the negotiations. Organizers describe the summit as “the implementation conference,” focusing on turning climate commitments into concrete, measurable steps. The Turkish presidency is seeking an international commitment to increase electricity’s share of global energy consumption from around 22% currently to 35% by 2035. The share remains very low in Africa and many Middle Eastern countries, according to data from the International Energy Agency and Ember.

Ember chief analyst Dave Jones considers the target “ambitious but achievable,” noting that solar power and batteries are making electricity cheaper and accelerating its spread. He said this represents a major opportunity for countries with low electrification rates, including African countries. According to the agency’s estimates, reaching the target could reduce fossil-fuel import bills for importing countries by around $400 billion annually.

A green zone covering 582,000 square metres

Conference president and Türkiye’s minister of environment, urbanization and climate change, Murat Kurum, published footage of the “Green Zone” open to visitors, describing it as “Türkiye’s face open to the world.” The Green Zone covers 582,000 square metres, while the “Blue Zone,” designated for negotiations, spans 527,000 square metres. It includes thematic centers for climate finance, energy, transport, resilient cities and green manufacturing, as well as concerts, exhibitions and seminars.

Participants can follow the summit program through the free “COP31 Türkiye Super App,” which includes a schedule of more than 600 events, a personal agenda, restaurant locations and an on-site transportation service.

Turkish telecommunications company Turkcell has joined the conference as an “industry partner” and a main partner of the official arts program “COPArt.” Antalya will also introduce its guests to the culture of the nomadic Yörük people through a restored and furnished two-story traditional house containing items from the Akseki and İbradı districts, where visitors will be served gözleme and bazlama flatbreads.

Antalya house furnished in the Yörük cultural style ahead of COP31