The main agenda of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which was held in Baku and ended last week, was "climate finance". However, developed countries did not take sufficient steps to fulfill their historical responsibilities, and the summit closed with an insufficient financing target in the global fight against the climate crisis. The New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG) could have been a point of support for the countries most affected by the climate crisis. However, the financing that should have been a trillion dollars per year by 2030 was limited to a target of only 300 billion dollars.
The Demand for Climate Justice is Rising
The NCQG aims to ensure that countries with high emissions that cause the climate crisis provide public financing to countries that are not responsible at all for this crisis but are most affected. Countries that see nature as a source of raw materials and labor as cheap labor, and that grow their industries and economies with this understanding, trigger the climate crisis with historical emissions, while poor and vulnerable regions pay the highest price. These countries, which also become rich through fossil fuel use, are obliged to compensate for the damage they cause in poor and geographically vulnerable regions, but they are not taking sufficient steps in this regard. UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell underlined this fact in his COP29 opening speech, stating that climate finance is not a "charity."
As countries facing floods, droughts and extreme weather events due to emissions are increasingly demanding climate justice, the COP29 financing target of 300 billion dollars, expected to be around a trillion dollars, falls far short of the huge profits of major oil and gas companies, which are around 400 billion dollars a year.
When considered in this context, although the "No New Coal" call launched by 25 countries on a global level is an encouraging step, it is clear that more is needed.
Where Do Energy and Climate Policies of Türkiye Stand?
Although Türkiye was the third country with the largest delegation to COP29 with 1,862 participants, it stood out with its shortcomings in national climate and energy policies. The 2053 Long-Term Climate Strategy (LTS) and the 2024-2028 Energy Strategic Plan announced at the summit did not have concrete targets such as phasing out coal or abandoning fossil fuels, and fell short of expectations.
- No Coal Phase-Out Target: The strategy document does not include a concrete date or gradual plan for the 2053 “net zero” emissions target for the coal phase-out. In fact, the word “coal” is never mentioned in the text, and the statement that fossil fuel infrastructures will be reviewed indicates that coal investments will continue.
- Dependence on Fossil Fuel Continues: The strategy document does not include a concrete date or gradual plan for the 2053 “net zero” emissions target for the coal phase-out. In fact, the word “coal” is never mentioned in the text, and the statement that fossil fuel infrastructures will be reviewed indicates that coal investments will continue.
- Nuclear Energy Investments Increase: While the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is planned to reach full capacity by 2028, it is aimed that Türkiye will have 7.2 GW of nuclear energy capacity by 2035. However, nuclear energy projects are not a sustainable option due to both environmental risks and high costs.
Climate Crisis and Coal Dilemma:Fossil Fuels Must Be Abandoned Urgently for the 1.5 Degree Target
According to the statements made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the current policies of countries can cause ecosystems and societies to reach irreversible thresholds by increasing global temperatures to 3°C. Similarly, according to Climate Action Tracker data, an increase of 2.7°C is expected by the end of this century. While these studies paint a frightening picture, reaching the 1.5°C target is becoming increasingly difficult due to inadequate climate and energy policies.
In the face of this picture, halting new coal-fired thermal power plant projects and rapidly switching to renewable energy is an important step for the climate in our country, which received a low score in the Climate Change Performance Index published at COP29 and was at the bottom of the list. The importance of phasing out coal is not limited to preventing the global climate crisis. Projects such as the additional unit planned to be built at the Afşin-Elbistan A Thermal Power Plant increase air pollution, threaten public health, and destroy agricultural lands and natural water resources. It is a must for Türkiye to halt these projects for the climate, public health and local ecosystems.
We do not have the luxury of delaying climate justice
Despite the below-expected results of COP29, there is still hope for vulnerable countries and communities, thanks to the efforts of groups such as the Loss and Damage Collaboration. That is why it is crucial that those most affected by the climate crisis have a say in the COP meetings.
In order to reduce global emissions and build a more livable world, countries’ transition to renewable energy is no longer an option, it is a necessity. Türkiye can lead the way to a cleaner future by accelerating the transition to renewable energy and abandoning fossil fuels and nuclear projects. The decisions and shortcomings made at COP29 have once again revealed the necessity of this transformation.
As the TEMA Foundation, we emphasize once again that a livable planet is not possible without protecting our natural assets and observing the protection-use balance. We no longer have the luxury of delaying; swift action is needed to protect our soil, water, air and biodiversity. Accordingly, we believe that the cooperation of all authorities, local governments, the private sector, civil society organizations and the public will make a significant contribution to the establishment of a life model in harmony with nature. Existing policies should be strengthened without wasting time in the fight against the climate crisis. The right decisions we make today will determine our future and help us achieve climate justice.
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