COP31 Kicks Off in Antalya with Focus on Coal, Oceans and the Amazon

The 31st United Nations Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP31) began on November 9 in Antalya, Turkey, and will run until November 20. The transition to clean energy is one of the central themes of the discussions, at a gathering that also places on the agenda the sustainability of oceans, supply chains, and the role of regions such as the Amazon in sustainable logistics.

Turkey's reliance on coal came under scrutiny as soon as the summit began. Communities from Ikizkoy, near the Akbelen forest in Mugla province, are asking delegates to visit areas affected by decades of lignite mining. According to the organization Ember, coal generated 34% of Turkey's electricity last year, making the country Europe's largest coal power producer. Mining operations in Akbelen supply the Yenikoy and Kemerkoy power plants, operated by the joint venture Yenikoy-Kemerkoy Energy, made up of Turkish firms Limak and IC Ictas, which together generate just over 2% of the country's electricity. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar acknowledged the difficulties in reducing coal dependence given the thousands of jobs sustained by mining, while Ankara is betting on nuclear power and aims to develop 10 gigawatts of capacity by 2040.

The conflict in Akbelen also brought into question restrictions on environmental protests in Turkey. According to local activists' complaints, mining expansion threatens forests, farmland, and nearby communities, and demonstrators have faced arrests, fines, and legal proceedings for opposing land expropriation and tree felling. Human Rights Watch reported in October that Turkish authorities had arbitrarily detained and prosecuted environmental protesters, raising concerns about restrictions on peaceful protest. Turkish authorities maintain that police intervene only when demonstrations violate the law or threaten public order.

At the same time, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will devote part of its participation in COP31 to building sustainable and resilient supply chains and strengthening ocean-related climate action. The agency will seek to boost international cooperation, access to financing, and the implementation of policies to help developing countries navigate the transition to low-carbon economies, while also promoting the harmonization of sustainability standards to facilitate access for small and medium-sized enterprises to demanding markets. UNCTAD will also take part on November 12 in the launch of a new Global Carbon Markets Network, aimed at mobilizing capital for climate action in developing countries.

The Amazon will also hold a prominent place at COP31, in discussions on infrastructure, sustainable logistics, and the region's economic development. On November 11, Banco da Amazônia will take part in a panel at the International Transport Pavilion, organized by the Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT), where it will present how access to financing lines with competitive terms can drive investment in the region and strengthen its integration into domestic and international markets.