---
title: "350.org on Erdogan's speech at UNGA: A glaring omission of fossil fuels phase out"
date: 2026-09-22T17:45:37Z
modified: 2026-09-22T17:45:37Z
permalink: "https://350.org/press-release/350-org-on-erdogans-speech-at-unga-a-glaring-omission-of-fossil-fuels-phase-out/"
type: press-release
status: publish
excerpt: ""
wpid: 175531921
author: Débora Gastal
timestamp: 2026-09-22T17:45:37Z
tags: []
---

Addressing the 81st session of the UN General Assembly as host of this year’s COP31 climate summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised to champion justice as a crucial element in the debates, and to prioritize implementation by fulfilling financial commitments, accelerating technology transfer, and turning pledges into concrete action. However, the glaring omission of a fossil fuels phase in his speech amidst the largest energy crisis in history shows what climate group [350.org](http://350.org) has been warning: Türkiye’s own energy plans expose the gap between COP31’s host-nation rhetoric and the fossil fuel buildout happening at home. 

[350.org](http://350.org) pointed out that Türkiye, already Europe’s biggest coal-power generator, is planning for [roughly 30% more coal and gas power capacity by 2035](https://enerji.gov.tr/Media/Dizin/EIGM/tr/Raporlar/TUEP/T%C3%BCrkiye_National_Energy_Plan.pdf). Roughly two-thirds of Türkiye’s electricity comes from coal-fired power, mostly from imported coal. But instead of setting out a clear coal phaseout timeline, Türkiye’s coal fleet is expanding, with [plans to increase the capacity](https://bianet.org/haber/komurden-cikis-vaadiyle-yeni-santral-izni-ayni-masada-321076) of the existing 1,320 MW CENAL coal power plant in Karabiga, Çanakkale.

[350.org](http://350.org) also said that the COP31 co-presidency of Türkiye and Australia has not done enough to advance the climate summit’s critical mission to lead the transition away from fossil fuels. Fossil fuels ,the leading cause of the climate crisis ,appear nowhere in the COP31 presidency’s official letters to country delegations or in its Action Agenda, which lists 10 priorities and 50 subpriorities.

**Efe Baysal,** [**350.org**](http://350.org) **Türkiye said:**

_“As COP31 host, Türkiye has so far not done enough to signal that it will advance the transition away from fossil fuels – which is mission critical given that we are in the midst of our biggest fossil fuel and climate crisis yet.

Also, Türkiye has yet to commit to a fossil fuel phase-out plan at home, where it continues to expand coal. That contradiction has to be resolved before COP31 opens._

_Hosting COP31 is not just a diplomatic opportunity, it’s a chance to change course. This is the time for political courage: to set an example by finally announcing a coal phase-out with a clear timeline, and to prioritize advancing on the transition away from fossil fuels globally”._

[350.org](http://350.org) said that the Turkish government doesn’t need to look far to see what climate delay costs. Just two months before COP31, host province Antalya faced major wildfires, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of homes. Soaring oil and gas prices driven by the Strait of Hormuz crisis are also projected to cost Türkiye’s households up to $24.59 billion, if geopolitical tensions remain high, according to an [analysis](https://350turkiye.org/turkiye-fosil-yakit-fiyatlarindaki-artis-nedeniyle-246-milyar-dolara-varan-ek-maliyetle-karsi-karsiya/) by [350.org](http://350.org).

ENDS