Turkiye has been selected to host the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in November 2026, while Australia will lead the negotiations under the UN agreement. The decision places Turkiye at the center of global climate diplomacy at a time when the country is navigating a complex energy transition. Although Turkiye still relies heavily on coal, it is also emerging as one of the fastest growing clean energy markets in its region.
A Coal Dependent System Facing Global Spotlight
Hosting COP31 will bring attention to Turkiye’s continued dependence on coal in its power sector. Coal currently accounts for about 35 percent of the country’s electricity generation. A significant share of this comes from imported coal, which exposes the power system to global price risks and increases the pressure to diversify.
Coal also plays a role in local employment and energy security, which makes the transition more difficult. Policymakers must balance climate goals with economic realities in coal dependent regions. The global spotlight of COP31 adds further urgency to this challenge. As the world convenes in Turkiye, the host nation will be expected to show progress in charting a path away from coal toward cleaner sources.
Renewables Now Supply Almost Half of Turkiye’s Power
Despite its coal reliance, Turkiye has delivered one of the strongest renewable energy expansions among emerging economies. Renewables now provide about 46 percent of the country’s electricity. Wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal systems are rapidly reshaping the national power mix, Ember said.
European Environment Agency said renewables (hydro, wind, solar, geothermal) made up 57 percent of installed capacity in Turkiye as of November 2024.
Solar power capacity in Turkiye has tripled over the last four years, supported by utility scale projects and widespread adoption of rooftop systems. Falling technology costs, supportive regulations, and rising domestic manufacturing have further accelerated growth. Analysts expect solar to play the largest role in Turkiye’s long term decarbonization strategy.
Wind power is also making significant progress. Wind supplies about 11 percent of Turkiye’s electricity, a share higher than several G7 countries, including Italy and France. Strong wind resources in the Aegean and Marmara regions have enabled steady development, and new offshore wind zones are under evaluation.
The combination of solar and wind is starting to reshape the power system. In recent years, clean electricity from these two technologies alone has exceeded domestic coal generation, signaling a structural shift in energy supply.
Net Zero Target for 2053 and Plans to Triple Renewables
Turkiye has committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2053. To support this target, the government aims to nearly triple its wind and solar capacity by 2035. This expansion is considered essential for reducing fossil fuel use, lowering emissions, and enhancing energy security.
According to Shura, a Turkish think tank, the country aims to scale up solar capacity to ~220 GW and onshore wind to ~120 GW, supported by grid investments and energy storage by 2053.
Achieving these goals will require annual additions of large scale renewable capacity, continued grid modernization, and sustained investment in battery storage. Policy makers also plan to expand transmission lines to support regions with high renewable potential.
Ufuk Alparslan, Regional Lead for Turkiye and the Caucasus at Ember, described the COP announcement as transformative.
Hosting COP31 can help Turkiye attract new investments and partnerships, while strengthening its ambition to become a regional clean energy hub. The summit provides an opportunity for Turkiye to demonstrate leadership in accelerating renewable deployment and meeting its national targets, Ufuk Alparslan said.
Australia to Lead Negotiations as Its Own Transition Gains Momentum
While Turkiye will host COP31, Australia will play a central role as the leader of the negotiations. This comes at a key moment for Australia, which has been accelerating its shift toward renewable energy.
In October 2025, fossil fuel based electricity generation in Australia fell below half of total power generation for the first time on record, Reuters news report said. The milestone indicates the rapid progress being made in solar, wind, and storage deployment across the National Electricity Market. Australia plans to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and is moving to phase out coal plants in the coming years.
Nishant Bhardwaj, Ember’s Director for Coal Mine Methane, said that Australia’s leadership role at COP31 presents a major opportunity. He noted that Australia can use the platform to reinforce its global clean energy position and set a stronger agenda on methane mitigation and fossil fuel transition. This includes shaping negotiations that support deep emission cuts while enabling emerging markets to access climate finance and clean technology.
COP31 presents Turkiye with both opportunities and expectations. As the host, Turkiye will be expected to showcase progress on clean energy, emissions reduction, and long term climate planning.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
