"The continued disruption of energy supplies due to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has shown all of us the risks of dependence on fossil fuels. We will use the market's accelerated move away from fossil fuels amid this crisis as an opportunity to expand clean energy."
Fatma Varank, chief executive officer (CEO) of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) and Vice Minister at Türkiye's Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, stated accordingly in a recent written interview with ChosunBiz about the goals of COP31 to be held in Nov. COP is the world's largest climate summit where the world gathers to discuss climate policy. Since the first conference in Berlin, Germany, in 1995, it has been held annually on a rotating basis by continent, with the host country serving as the conference chair.
COP31 is unusually being pursued jointly by Türkiye and Australia. Türkiye will serve as host and chair, and Australia will oversee agenda negotiations. If Minister Murat Kurum of Türkiye's Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change leads the meeting as COP31 president, Vice Minister Varank is serving as the working-level lead, coordinating the overall strategic framework of COP31 and overseeing international negotiations and inter-agency collaboration.
Antalya, Türkiye, where this meeting will be held, is a city frequently hit by heat waves and wildfires due to abnormal heat, a symbolic place showing how destructive rising global temperatures can be to human life. Vice Minister Varank said, "For some countries, the climate crisis is existential," adding that this year's COP31 will focus on shifting global climate action, which has so far centered on stocktaking and negotiations, to actual implementation.
The COP30 agreement adopted in Belém, Brazil, last year faced criticism as an "empty deal" for lacking a concrete implementation plan (road map) to respond to global warming and language on reducing fossil fuels. Can COP31 become a real turning point for solving the climate crisis? The following is a Q&A with CEO Varank.
—What are the core priorities to be addressed at COP31.
This year, Türkiye is focusing on leading a strong joint response to the ongoing energy crisis and accelerating the "electrification" of the world economy, shifting from oil- and gas-centered structures to electricity-centered ones.
—How is it different from previous meetings.
Over the past 10 years, within the global climate action framework, countries have focused on setting up the framework of the Paris Agreement and reviewing and negotiating its implementation. It is now essential to focus on implementing the decisions made so far as quickly as possible.
To that end, we aim to build new partnerships that can deliver results on the ground, strengthen existing coalitions, and focus on concrete solutions.
At COP30, more than 480 climate cooperation projects were launched under the Action Agenda, a collaboration platform through which governments, corporations, and financial institutions advance real climate projects, with tens of thousands of stakeholders from 190 countries participating. This year, we plan to deepen this process and deliver the first concrete outcomes.
—Even at COP30, there was a failure to set a clear timetable for phasing out fossil fuels.
The recent energy crisis has clearly shown the need for countries to diversify energy sources and accelerate the deployment of clean energy. Korea announced a new plan to expand renewables by more than 100 GW by 2030, and Türkiye has also set a goal to add 8 GW of renewable energy capacity every year through 2035.
As the COP31 chair, we have put forward clean energy and industrial decarbonization enabling the energy transition as core priorities under the Action Agenda. During our term, we plan to drive tangible progress in this area. Because COP operates on consensus, we are devoted to creating a space where countries can listen to one another and find areas of agreement.
—There is criticism that Türkiye's 2053 carbon neutrality (Net Zero) target is unambitious.
Türkiye is already making significant progress in accelerating the energy transition. Thanks to energy-efficiency measures implemented during reconstruction after the 2023 earthquake, energy consumption in affected areas was reduced by 40%.
More recently, it issued permits for energy storage system (ESS) capacity exceeding that of any European Union (EU) member state. In addition, it has set a goal to add 8 GW of renewable energy capacity every year through 2035. It also plans to invest $20 billion in energy efficiency improvements by 2030.
—What impact will Türkiye's "Zero Waste" effort have at COP31.
Under the leadership of first lady Emine Erdogan, Türkiye has expanded Zero Waste into a global agenda. This goes beyond simple waste management to a society-wide effort to increase efficiency and positively change our habits and lifestyles.
This year, we selected Zero Waste and the circular economy as one of the core priorities of the Action Agenda. We are currently working with the International Energy Agency (IEA) on new research analyzing the impact of waste and recycling policies on climate change.
The goal is to provide key information that will help countries and corporations develop data-driven, goal-oriented waste management and circular economy policies.
—Private-sector participation is essential to responding to the climate crisis.
We are urging all governments to share with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat and the international community their climate plans that set out what measures they will take to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.
When properly developed, such plans can guide investment and capital flows toward the green transition by identifying priority industries and signaling government commitment.
At COP31, we also plan to pursue initiatives to mobilize private and philanthropic capital. We are preparing a new mechanism that consolidation key actors across society to connect fundable projects with financing.
Through this, we plan to create new financial pathways so promising projects can secure funding more quickly and move into actual operations.
—Doubts are growing about COP's effectiveness due to noncooperation by major emitters.
We should not forget that COP has already delivered tangible results. COP has mobilized trillions of dollars for climate projects and contributed to lowering the projected level of global warming from 4 degrees to 2.6 degrees.
At COP31, we will ask world leaders to continue supporting joint solutions to our shared problems.
Of course, it is also true that faster and bolder moves are needed to respond to the climate. If the past 10 years were about setting the rules and framework for global climate action, the COP process now needs to evolve to focus on delivery.
This means not only fulfilling past promises but also building new pledges and coalitions that will drive real progress across areas ranging from food security to industrial decarbonization.
—What do you expect from the Korean government and corporations participating in COP31.
This year we have already seen the Korean government and corporations respond firmly to the energy crisis and intensify their energy transition efforts. The Korean government recognizes that dependence on fossil fuels can pose serious risks to security and the economy, and it is rapidly diversifying its energy supply structure. We hope Korean government official and corporations will participate in COP31 to share their experiences and vision.
We believe this energy crisis must become a turning point that accelerates the expansion of renewable energy at an unprecedented pace. But that is only possible when open, constructive, solutions-focused discussions are held on the way forward. We look forward to active participation by the Korean government and corporations.