Joint statement following visit of COP26 President-Designate to Turkey

Following an open and constructive exchange of views on climate change, including on adaptation, mitigation, climate finance and negotiation issues at COP26, the COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma and the Minister of Environment and Urbanisation of Turkey Murat Kurum released the following statement:

We resolved today to work together closely in support of an ambitious, inclusive, negotiated outcome at COP26 that will lead to climate action to limit a temperature rise to 1.5 degrees and to adapt to worsening climate impacts, all to secure a low-carbon and resilient future.

We affirmed our joint commitment to accelerating the fight against climate change ahead of COP26 in Glasgow, recalling our commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in this regard. Both sides agreed that it is vital for the world to act to limit average temperature rises to 1.5 degrees by the end of the century, to avoid the worst effects of climate change. To achieve this the COP President-Designate underlined the importance of all countries committing to achieving net zero emissions by the middle of the century, and 2030 targets aligned with this.

The UK and Turkey underline the need for shared leadership in support of the global response to climate change, recognising the actions the two countries are already taking, and that enhanced actions are required to keep 1.5 degrees in reach. We discussed the UK’s support for Turkey’s energy transition, including through the continued development of the renewable energy sector and the UK’s Climate Finance Accelerator technical assistance programme. We affirmed our common recognition of the huge economic opportunities offered by the green transition across all sectors of the economy, driving green growth and jobs now and into the future.

We acknowledge that Turkey, located in the Mediterranean Basin, which is one of the most vulnerable regions for impacts of climate change, has carried out important work in climate-related activities. It is clear that Turkey has significant potential for both mitigation and adaptation actions. In this context, Turkey is carrying out efforts to mitigate climate change, such as renewable energy investments, energy efficiency in buildings, zero waste, micro-mobility, offshore energy, and climate change adaptation efforts such as forestation, basin-based water management, sustainable and smart agriculture, and preparation of regional and local climate change action plans. With studies ongoing, Turkey shows signs that it will contribute more strongly to the fight against global climate change with the international financial support that will be provided. In order to improve national administrative, legal, human and scientific infrastructure, Turkey continues efforts to prepare a national climate law, constitute a climate change platform, establish a climate change research centre and update its climate change strategy and action plans for 2030 and 2050 targets. We recognised Turkey’s willingness to fight against climate change and Turkey’s climate change awareness, which is at over 88% of her population.

We also welcome Turkey’s roadmap for climate change which aims to increase the recovery rate of waste to 60% by 2035, to increase the reuse rate of treated wastewater to 15% by 2030, and to reduce the fossil fuels used in buildings by 25% by 2023.