Key facts
- Turkey, co-host of COP31, urges NATO nations to spend more on climate than defense.
- COP31 will be held in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9-20.
- Turkey plans to invest heavily in renewable energy while also expanding oil and gas production.
- COP31 president-designate Murat Kurum suggested climate change is a greater security threat than defense spending.
- The summit aims for a global goal of 35% electricity for power, business, factories, and vehicles by 2035.
Turkey, the designated host of the upcoming COP31 climate summit, is advocating for wealthy participating nations to prioritize climate support over defense spending. This initiative follows Turkey's September announcement of significant investments in renewable energy capacity, though it also plans to expand its oil and gas production, potentially conflicting with its climate objectives. The COP31 summit, scheduled for November 9-20 in Antalya, Turkey, will feature a joint presidency with Australia. A pre-summit held in Nadi, Fiji, from October 5-8 aimed to highlight climate challenges for island nations, with participation from ministers and representatives from various countries, including India, European nations, China, and Saudi Arabia.