Plate Nº 52 · recorded November 10, 2026
Science Policy & FundingReported finding
Turkey Opens COP31 Climate Summit Amid 'Greenwashing' Accusations
COP31 opened today in Antalya, Turkey, as activists accused the host of greenwashing — burning imported plastic waste while sponsors expand coal mines on olive groves.
By Elena Vasquez3 min read578 words
In brief
- COP31 opened today in Antalya, Turkey, drawing thousands of diplomats, executives and world leaders
- Turkey ratified the Paris Agreement in 2021 and created a dedicated climate ministry
- Turkey imports more European plastic waste than any other nation, burning or dumping much of it
- Deadly wildfires roughly five years ago and European trade taxes pushed Turkey toward climate action
COP31, the United Nations' annual climate summit, opened today in Antalya, Turkey, drawing thousands of diplomats, corporate executives and world leaders to the Mediterranean resort city. Outside the negotiating halls, Turkish environmentalists are accusing the host government of "greenwashing" — projecting an eco-friendly image while destructive practices continue.
The Turkish government is not hiding its pride. A promotional video from the Turkish Ministry of Climate shows mist drifting through forests, majestic mountains and the climate minister at a podium. "How much longer can we protect the air we breathe? This time, the answer is in Turkey," the narrator declares.
Why does Turkey want this summit?
Turkey sees itself as an emerging global power. It already leverages its culture, humanitarian work and its role as a mediator in conflicts from Ukraine to Iran. Now it wants climate leadership added to that diplomatic portfolio.
"This is kind of a showcase for capabilities for being a serious middle power, a global player, etc.," said Ümit Şahin, head of the climate change program at the Istanbul Policy Center, a Turkey-based think tank. "I think most important driver was about prestige and showcase."
The turn toward climate policy came late. Şahin says Turkey dragged its feet on climate agreements for decades. Two things forced a reality check: deadly wildfires at home roughly five years ago, and European trade taxes.
The shift produced results on paper. In 2021, Turkey ratified the Paris Agreement, the legally binding global treaty to limit warming, and created a dedicated climate ministry.
Is Turkey's climate record matching its rhetoric?
Critics say no. "There are some action plans, strategies, a lot of paperwork, but not a real climate policy," Şahin said.
His sharpest target is Turkey's signature environmental initiative, the Zero Waste campaign, which aims to recycle or reuse all waste materials. Şahin notes Turkey imports more European plastic waste than any other nation — then burns or dumps much of it instead of recycling.
"If Turkey is real and sincere about Zero Waste, first thing, it needs to ban plastic waste import. And this Zero Waste thing is our No. 1 greenwashing," he said.
Activists are also scrutinizing COP31's corporate sponsors:
- Limak Holding, an infrastructure giant expanding coal mines on ancient olive groves
- Sinpaş GYO, a real estate developer that poured concrete inside a national park to build a luxury resort
The Turkish Ministry of Climate did not respond to NPR's request for comment.
What are activists doing about it?
Environmental groups are organizing a parallel gathering, the People's Climate Summit, to pressure world leaders. Çiğdem Özbaş, a Turkish volunteer at this year's event, accuses the government of stripping local protections, favoring business interests over farmers and rural communities, and suppressing domestic dissent.
"There will be lots of lies about technological solutions. There will be lots greenwashing companies who are doing lots of ecological ecocide," Özbaş said.
Can the summit still change anything?
Not everyone is pessimistic. Özlem Katısöz, with the Turkey chapter of Climate Action Network Europe, sees a genuine opening created by the hosting role itself.
"Turkey should work to improve the overall climate — global climate policies, sort of move forward. It has to sort of improve its own domestic climate policies to have a credible say in the global discussions," Katısöz said.
Hosting COP31, she argues, gives Turkish civil society an opening to hold the government accountable. The summit's two weeks of talks will show whether that pressure lands.
via feeds.npr.org (Source)
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Correspondent covering money, funding and market shifts around general science news at SciBeat.
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