The climate crisis is no longer a distant future scenario; it is a reality that shapes our lives through floods, droughts, wildfires, and increasingly frequent extreme weather events. One of the most important international platforms where countries come together each year to seek collective solutions to this crisis is COP (Conference of the Parties).
Following the conclusion of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, attention has now turned to COP31, which Türkiye will host in Antalya. So, what exactly is COP, how does it work, and why is it such a critical platform for countries?
What Is COP?
COP is the global climate summit held annually under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), adopted by the United Nations in 1992. These meetings bring together 197 countries and the European Union to:
Set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions,
Negotiate climate finance and adaptation policies,
Take new collective decisions based on scientific evidence.
Landmark agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol (1997) and the Paris Agreement (2015) emerged from the COP process. Today, COP remains one of the most critical conferences shaping the future of our planet.
How Is the Host Country Selected?
COP host countries are chosen on a rotating basis among five regional groups within the UN system. Türkiye and Australia were both candidates for hosting the 2026 summit under their shared regional group, WEOG (Western European and Others Group).
Following the agreement reached at the end of COP30, Türkiye was selected as the host country, with the summit to be held in Antalya, while Australia will take on the role of presiding over the COP31 negotiations.
This arrangement was widely seen as a diplomatic compromise that broke months of deadlock, allowing both countries to gain partial ground. At the same time, Türkiye’s persistence throughout the process can be interpreted as a signal of its intention to play a more assertive role in climate diplomacy.
This development has once again highlighted the question: why is hosting a COP so important?
Why Does Hosting a COP Matter?
Hosting a COP is far more than a logistical task; it carries significant diplomatic and economic implications. The host country gains influence over the agenda, its climate policies come under greater international scrutiny, and its visibility increases in terms of access to climate finance and investment. At the same time, the host country is expected to demonstrate climate seriousness, transparency, inclusivity, and the ability to provide a safe and open space for participation.
What Happened at COP30?
COP30 was held in the heart of the Amazon, in the city of Belém, and was symbolically framed as a “reckoning with climate reality.” However, the outcomes fell short of expectations.
The most debated issue throughout the summit was the phase-out of fossil fuels. Although more than 80 countries called for a roadmap, references to fossil fuel phase-out were ultimately excluded from the final text due to opposition from major oil-producing countries.
Despite taking place in the Amazon region, COP30 failed to deliver a binding roadmap to halt deforestation. Nevertheless, Brazil launched a new fund outside the UN framework, laying the groundwork for a multibillion-dollar mechanism to support the protection of tropical forests.
Adaptation finance—crucial for developing countries—was tripled, but the target was postponed until 2035.
Overall, COP30 will be remembered not for major breakthroughs, but for unresolved tensions and incomplete agreements.
What Is Expected From COP31 in Antalya in 2026?
COP30 in Belém left a legacy of postponed decisions, with many key issues deferred to future summits. As a result, COP31 in Antalya carries significant responsibility. More concrete, time-bound targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are expected to be among the summit’s most critical agenda items.
Adaptation to the impacts of the climate crisis and climate resilience—central themes at COP30—will once again be at the forefront. How to finance infrastructure investments and adaptation policies in the face of risks such as droughts, floods, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise will be a major area of debate at COP31.
Opportunities & Responsibilities for Türkiye
COP31 Antalya offers Türkiye not only the prestige of hosting a global summit, but also an opportunity to redefine its climate policies. The summit could enable Türkiye to become a more visible actor in global climate diplomacy, particularly by positioning itself as a bridge between developed and developing countries. It also opens an important space for academia, civil society, and local governments to strengthen international cooperation, increase knowledge exchange, and showcase impactful work being carried out in Türkiye.
For Antalya specifically, the summit presents a strategic opportunity to highlight sustainable tourism, climate-oriented urban planning, and nature-based economic models.
However, turning these opportunities into meaningful outcomes requires confronting several critical challenges. Continued support for coal investments, in particular, may be perceived as inconsistent with the spirit of COP31 and could attract international criticism.
COP summits are not only closed-door negotiation spaces; they are also arenas where civil society, local communities, young people, and climate activists raise their voices through protests and public actions. Whether Türkiye can ensure a safe, free, and inclusive environment for such participation will be one of the key tests of the COP31 process.
Creating a “green” image through the event alone, without structural transformation in climate policies, risks undermining credibility in the long term. Therefore, the true value of COP31 will be measured not by the scale of the event, but by Türkiye’s willingness to translate the process into concrete action.
COP31 Could Be a Turning Point for Türkiye & the Mediterranean
COP31 Antalya is not just another climate summit on the calendar; it represents a critical moment for Türkiye to rethink its climate policies. If properly prepared, the process could trigger transformation at both national and local levels. Ensuring meaningful participation from municipalities, universities, civil society organizations, and young people across areas ranging from energy planning and urban policy to tourism and adaptation strategies will be essential for decisions to have real-world impact.
As Akdeniz Koruma Derneği (Mediterranean Conservation Society - MCS), we view this summit not merely as a diplomatic gathering, but as a collective decision-making process for the future of the Mediterranean. Warming seas, declining fish stocks, the spread of non-native species, and the loss of coastal habitats remind us every day that climate action cannot be postponed. COP31 offers an important platform to strengthen marine protected areas, promote sustainable fisheries, and ensure that coastal ecosystems are fully integrated into climate adaptation strategies.
COP30 in Belém made it clear that time is no longer on our side. In Antalya, we will see whether lost ground can be recovered. The steps Türkiye takes will not only shape its role in international climate diplomacy, but also influence the future of our planet.
In short, COP31 must be seen as more than a hosting role—it is an opportunity for transformation, responsibility, and a shared vision. As Akdeniz Koruma Derneği, we will continue working to ensure that knowledge, science, and on-the-ground experience have a strong voice throughout this process.