“Minister Murat Kurum will unveil our national roadmap for combating climate change during COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.”

09 November 2024

Key highlights from the interview with Director of Climate Change Prof. Halil Hasar are as follows:

"Türkiye is heading to COP29 with high-level representation to tackle critical issues. In line with the 2053 Net Zero Emission Target—established by our President as our overarching climate objective—Minister Murat Kurum will present the roadmap for our National Long-Term Climate Change Strategy (LTS)."

Prof. Halil Hasar, Director of Climate Change at the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, announced that Minister Murat Kurum is set to reveal the Long-Term Climate Change Strategy (LTS) during the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). This strategy serves as the foundational roadmap for achieving Türkiye’s 2053 Net Zero goals.
COP29 will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11–22, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in attendance. The summit will address a wide range of critical climate issues, with a primary focus on the current progress in the global fight against warming.

Prof. Halil Hasar, the Director of Climate Change, sat down with an Anadolu Agency (AA) correspondent to discuss Türkiye’s strategic objectives for the conference.

During the interview, Halil Hasar emphasized that climate change extends far beyond mere meteorological shifts, noting that it profoundly impacts all social and economic stakeholders.

Climate finance to take center stage at COP29

Reflecting on how the energy sector dominated the discussions at COP28 last year, Director Hasar remarked: "At COP29 this year, the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) will be the cornerstone of the negotiations—in other words, the primary conversation will be about climate finance. Developed nations had previously committed to mobilizing $100 billion in annual climate finance for developing countries through 2025. Under the NCQG, we expect this figure to be updated and significantly increased to reflect the actual needs of the developing world. The objective is to ensure that more resources are funneled into urgent climate actions in developing nations, while supporting and implementing low-carbon, climate-resilient solutions." Highlighting that Türkiye serves as a vital bridge between developed and developing nations rather than being a developing country alone, Halil Hasar underscored the importance of external financing for the nation's green transition and the substantive steps already taken to combat climate change. Halil Hasar noted, "The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) will be established this year. Consequently, we anticipate that the COP29 negotiations will be more contentious and the sessions will likely run longer than usual."

"We have a duty to leave a more liveable world for future generations”

Regarding Türkiye’s role in the global climate crisis, Halil Hasar stated: "Türkiye’s historical responsibility for the global climate crisis stands at approximately 1 percent. While this figure is not the real issue, we maintain that the environment is a legacy entrusted to us and a debt we owe to those who come after us. We do not have the right to treat our environment recklessly. We have a duty to leave a more liveable world for future generations, and we will commit every resource at our disposal to this struggle. We will remain an active leader in this fight."

Halil Hasar pointed out that Türkiye’s unique position allows it to understand the perspectives of both developed and developing countries, which has directly informed their strategic roadmap. Halil Hasar made the following remarks: "As Türkiye, we advocate for climate finance that is easily accessible. We want international commitments to be more than just signatures on a page; we expect countries to honor the promises they have made."

“Minister Murat Kurum will unveil the roadmap for our Long-Term Climate Strategy at COP29”

Director Halil Hasar noted that the Türkiye Pavilion at COP29 would host a diverse range of panel discussions and events, focusing particularly on climate change and the Zero Waste initiative. Emphasizing that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will address the COP29 Leaders' Summit, while First Lady Emine Erdoğan and Minister Murat Kurum will participate in other high-level sessions, Halil Hasar said: "Türkiye will engage with COP29 through high-level representation to tackle the most pressing global issues. In line with the 2053 Net Zero Emission Target—established by our President as our overarching climate objective—Minister Murat Kurum will present the roadmap for our National Long-Term Climate Change Strategy (LTS). Furthermore, we will present the strategic roadmap for our Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan.
We also submitted our transparency report this week. No other nation has managed to announce such a comprehensive suite of roadmaps at a single COP. As a country, we will have achieved a significant milestone."

Director Halil Hasar concluded by stressing that COP29 promises to be an exceptionally productive summit and noted that Türkiye would provide full support to its brotherly host, Azerbaijan, through a very robust presence.