Climate Council to determine Turkiye's zero-emission, green goals

The five-day long Climate Council in Turkiye’s central Konya province last week will provide a basis for the country’s 2053 zero-emission and green development strategic goals. Konya is one of the provinces most affected by the negative consequences of climate change, having witnessed drought, aridity, huge sinkholes and runs the risk of losing its lakes too.

The Council will also contribute to the climate legislation that will be developed as well as the basic policies for a road map on the decreasing of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to climate change.

The Climate Law, Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and the Long-term Climate Change and Action Plan will be completed based on the results of the council, according to a report in a Turkish daily.

Environment, urbanism and climate change minister Murat Kurum told the council that the country’s location in the Mediterranean basin makes it one among the countries with the highest risk in terms of the effects of global climate change. Turkiye last year faced extraordinary fires, floods and landslides at unprecedented levels.

The meeting brought together more than 1,000 participants, including climate ambassadors of 209 universities, celebrities, mayors and experts.