Türkiye regulations · 29 October 2026
Türkiye outlines 2035 waste and energy targets for COP31 agenda
Minister Kurum highlighted reducing expected municipal waste growth, increasing circular material use and improving cities’ access to finance among COP31 priorities. The announcements were presented as presidency goals, not new legal obligations. [Source](https://csb.gov.tr/haberler/sifir-atik-tan-cop31-e-turkiye-nin-iklim-diplomasisi-paneli-307111)
According to a ministry announcement dated 27 October 2026, COP31 President and Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum outlined Türkiye’s conference presidency priorities. Speaking at a panel organized by the Directorate of Communications, he presented Zero Waste, electrification and climate-resilient cities as elements of the implementation agenda. [Source](https://csb.gov.tr/haberler/sifir-atik-tan-cop31-e-turkiye-nin-iklim-diplomasisi-paneli-307111)
Waste target addresses expected growth
Kurum said Zero Waste would feature both at the conference venue and in negotiations. The announced goal is to reduce the expected increase in global municipal waste generation by at least half by 2035. That wording does not mean halving the current total volume of waste. A separate goal would raise the circular material use rate to at least 15% by the same year. Kurum said partnerships were being encouraged. The ministry presents these figures as presidency goals, not adopted international rules. [Source](https://csb.gov.tr/haberler/sifir-atik-tan-cop31-e-turkiye-nin-iklim-diplomasisi-paneli-307111)
Official source: Republic of Türkiye — Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change ↗Separate indicators for energy and buildings
The announcement identifies a goal for electrification to reach 35% of global final energy consumption in 2035 among six implementation targets. Kurum also said Türkiye had set a goal to reduce buildings’ energy-use intensity by at least 25% by that year. These indicators measure different things: a share of final energy consumption and the intensity of energy use in buildings. The announcement does not specify a baseline year for the building target or introduce a new corporate compliance timetable. [Source](https://csb.gov.tr/haberler/sifir-atik-tan-cop31-e-turkiye-nin-iklim-diplomasisi-paneli-307111)
Official source: Republic of Türkiye — Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change ↗SURFF and BRIDGE focus on project preparation
Kurum described SURFF, the Sustainable Urban Resilience Financing Facility developed with İLBANK, as an effort to turn cities’ infrastructure needs into investment projects ready for financing. The Climate Implementation Bridge, or BRIDGE, is intended to connect national goals with implementable projects. Its stated focus includes strengthening links between project preparation, technical support and access to finance. Kurum said many developing countries struggled even to prepare projects, emphasizing the need to strengthen institutional capacity alongside financing. [Source](https://csb.gov.tr/haberler/sifir-atik-tan-cop31-e-turkiye-nin-iklim-diplomasisi-paneli-307111)
Official source: Republic of Türkiye — Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change ↗Ten priorities emphasize implementation
Alongside Zero Waste, the ten priorities cover clean energy transition and electrification, food security, the Climate Implementation Bridge, oceans and seas, climate-resilient cities, youth and education, dynamic and resilient health systems, Rio Synergy and green industrialization. Kurum described the roadmap as dialogue, consensus and action. He reported 51 visits and participation in 16 international summits as part of preparations for the Antalya meeting. The announcement emphasized translating commitments into implementation through investment and cooperation. [Source](https://csb.gov.tr/haberler/sifir-atik-tan-cop31-e-turkiye-nin-iklim-diplomasisi-paneli-307111)
Official source: Republic of Türkiye — Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change ↗Related news
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