Director of Climate Change Prof. Halil Hasar attended the conference titled “Türkiye’s Climate Change Agenda on the Road to COP31,” organized by SETA.
14 April 2026
Director of Climate Change Prof. Halil Hasar attended the conference titled “Türkiye’s Climate Change Agenda on the Road to COP31,” organized by SETA.
The inauguration of the “Climate Change and Environment Program” established within SETA was officiated by Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President-Designate.
Speaking at a panel following Minister Kurum’s opening remarks, Director of Climate Change Hasar discussed Türkiye's climate vision and future strategies.
Addressing climate change, carbon emissions, climate finance, and Türkiye's COP31 presidency as key pillars, Director Hasar emphasized that economies, environmental policies, and national development plans are undergoing a profound global transformation.
Stating that the world is seeking breakthrough technologies to meet 2050 targets under the Paris Agreement, Director Hasar underlined that the surge in extreme weather events confronts humanity with escalating risks, making it impossible to remain insulated from climate-driven challenges anywhere in the world.
Underscoring the significance of the Climate Law enacted last year, key highlights from Director Hasar’s speech included:
Climate Law Bolsters Legal Framework
This legislation extends beyond climate issues; it is designed to directly influence international trade dynamics. The world is currently navigating a period where unilateral measures are unfortunately overshadowing multilateralism. As Türkiye, we must strategically safeguard both our exports and imports to a certain extent. While the Climate Law provides the legal foundation for this, we have also finalized secondary legislation through stakeholder participation to ensure a comprehensive regulatory framework.
Exceptional Growth in Renewable Energy
Türkiye’s strides in energy transition have gained international acclaim. Renewable energy capacity has tripled over the past decade. Most notably, solar energy capacity has achieved a hundredfold increase. Furthermore, sectoral decarbonization roadmaps have been effectively drafted, leveraging new technologies to ensure international trade remains unhindered and resilient.
COP31 Presidency and Global Leadership
COP31 is far more than a conventional summit; it is a high-level platform where decision-makers shape 50-year development strategies. Türkiye secured the COP31 presidency with consensus, bolstered by its active role in peace diplomacy. Türkiye will spearhead the Action Agenda, the pillar where political leadership translates into tangible implementation. While negotiations will be conducted jointly with Australia, Türkiye will serve as the final decision-making authority. By pivoting our expertise in peace diplomacy toward climate diplomacy, we have secured a platform in Türkiye, which fosters global leadership and accelerates our development policies—achieved through the strong resolve of our esteemed President and the intensive diplomatic efforts led by Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.
The panel discussion, moderated by Prof. Abdulmenaf Turan, was attended by academics, NGO representatives, and a wide array of distinguished guests. The program concluded with a commemorative group photo.