Before the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP31 to be held in Antalya, the extent of the global climate crisis has been revealed with new reports. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Emission Gap and Adaptation Gap reports revealed the huge difference between the targets declared by countries and the policies they implement. Climate Desk writer Assoc. Dr. While Doğukan Doğu Yavaşlı warned that the global temperature increase could reach 2.8 degrees if current policies continue, he also stated that Türkiye should strengthen its climate targets.
MUST BE AWAY AWAY IMMEDIATELY
According to experts, it is predicted that if current policies continue, the temperature increase may reach 2.8 degrees by the end of the century. Yavaşlı stated that moving away from fossil fuels is the most urgent step in the fight against climate change and emphasized that countries should make concrete decisions regarding emission reduction at COP31. The climate targets announced by Turkey for 2035 were also in the focus of evaluations. Yavaşlı pointed out that according to the UNEP report, Türkiye’s achievement of its current goals does not require any additional effort. Stating that Türkiye’s climate targets are not compatible with the Paris Agreement, Yavaşlı stated that stronger policies should be implemented to reduce emissions.
305 BILLION DOLLARS ARE REQUIRED
The UNEP Adaptation Gap Report revealed the financing problem in combating the effects of climate change. According to the report, developing countries need 305 billion dollars every year to adapt to climate change until 2035. On the other hand, international public adaptation financing provided in 2024 remained at only 28-32 billion dollars. This Figures show that there is a nearly 10-fold difference between the resources needed and the funding provided.
REDUCTION IS REQUIRED
According to UNEP’s 2026 Emission Gap Report, to reach the lowest exceedance scenario that could reduce the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees by the end of the century, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 18 percent by 2030, 45 percent by 2035, and 69 percent by 2040 compared to 2025 levels. If countries’ current climate commitments are fully implemented, it is estimated that the reduction that can be achieved until 2035 will remain at the level of 11-15 percent.
CRITICAL EXAM
Stating that COP31 is an important opportunity for Türkiye, Yavaşlı called for the greater use of scientific research in decision-making processes. Emphasizing that Türkiye’s hosting of the summit cannot be considered a success alone, Yavaşlı said, “It will not be enough for the meeting in Antalya to be remembered only as a successful international organization. A much more permanent gain would be if the country strengthened its own climate policies, prepared its cities and agricultural areas for the effects of climate change, and included scientific research more in decision-making processes.” he said.
