Call for Global Policy Action
The 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) will be held in Antalya in November 2026. This summit is set to host a record number of fossil fuel companies; the halls will be dominated by asphalt and concrete lobbies and those who accelerate the climate crisis. Fossil fuel-trading nations will block decisive actions, while governments that tax their citizens through fossil fuel dependency will hold the microphone. In short, this will not be a summit to “save” the climate, but a summit that continues to “change” it.
We are certain of this because the numbers do not lie: In 1995, when COP1 took place, the atmospheric CO2 concentration was 360.97 ppm; today, it has soared to 425 ppm. Between 1980 and 2000, when the Framework Convention was in its infancy, global fossil fuel consumption increased by 638 million tonnes of oil equivalent. Despite 20 COP summits and two major international agreements, this increase did not slow down between 2001 and 2021—it accelerated to 678 million tonnes.
Turkey: The Importer of Climate Change
As the host, Turkey is accelerating climate change through “customer-guaranteed” mega-projects in sectors ranging from healthcare to transportation. Currently meeting 80% of its energy needs through fossil fuel imports, Turkey’s emissions are rising faster than when it was not even a party to climate agreements. Furthermore, Turkey openly pledges to increase its emissions in the coming years.
Australia: The Exporter of Climate Change
The partner of COP31, Australia, appears to be a country that has stabilized its domestic emissions and promised future reductions. However, this façade cannot hide the reality of its fossil fuel exports. By exporting more coal, oil, and gas every year, Australia is effectively “exporting climate change” to the rest of the world.
We expect nothing from a climate summit led by a fossil fuel importer and a fossil fuel exporter.
Real Policies, Not Lies
We expect nothing from a summit that excludes science, society, and nature. But we know that only we can change this. They try to deceive us with “Net-Zero” targets; we reject these loopholes that prolong fossil fuel use and demand “Real Zero.” We see through the “de-carbonization” rhetoric used to mask their “re-carbonization” policies. We know that dates like 2040, 2050, or 2053 are merely distractions.
We Are Coming to Change the Policies, Not the Climate!
We are those who can no longer tolerate summits that negotiate pre-determined decisions and end with “fake victories.” We are coming with a movement (a “kumpanya”). From our own cities, with the demand for “Climate-friendly transport before 2030!”, we will push our local municipalities to take action. We will pedal to Ankara at the end of October to deliver these local mandates to the COP31 Presidency, demanding they globalize these grassroots decisions.
Our demand is simple: Every city must transition to climate-friendly transportation before 2030. Car-centric investments must end, replaced by pedestrianization, public transit, and cycling infrastructure. Starting with transport, every sector must become climate-friendly, and the deadline of 2030 is non-negotiable.
We are asking for what they call “politically impossible.” But what they demand—the status quo—is “scientifically impossible” and leads to an irreversible catastrophe. We want the simple truth: Real action over lies, science over politics.
We invite everyone to join this movement.
