---
title: 'COP31: Australia and Türkiye must break their silence as momentum builds for fossil fuel transition'
date: '2026-11-12T15:06:00Z'
modified: '2026-11-12T15:07:54Z'
permalink: https://350.org/press-release/cop31-australia-and-t%C3%BCrkiye-must-break-their-silence-as-momentum-builds-for-fossil-fuel-transition/
type: wtrx.Post
status: published
id: 11529
author: Kim Bryan
timestamp: '2026-11-12T15:07:57Z'
---

# COP31: Australia and Türkiye must break their silence as momentum builds for fossil fuel transition

ANTALYA, TÜRKİYE: The world leaders summit has come to end and one thing is clear, from world leaders to negotiation blocs, pressure is mounting on the COP31 presidencies to advance the transition away from fossil fuels.

**Fanny Petitbon, Policy expert at 350.org, said:**

“World leaders, the UN Secretary-General and negotiating blocs representing over 70 countries have urged progress on fossil fuel transition. Yet Türkiye and Australia have answered with deafening silence But there is still time to turn that around here in Antalya. As the COP31 Presidencies, they have a particular responsibility to turn the growing international momentum into concrete political action. They need to send a strong signal that, alongside many countries already on board, they are committed to plan a just, orderly and equitable transition away from oil, gas and coal. That means picking up the Roadmaps process launched by the COP30 President, speeding it up and making sure it shapes the next global review of climate progress. Belém opened the door. Antalya must walk through it.**”**

We need both governments to lead by example, with national roadmaps that commit to ending fossil fuel expansion and set out how they will move towards a renewable-powered future. These plans must be more than statements of intent. They need clear timelines, real measures to reduce fossil fuel production and use, and the ambition to match what climate science demands.

**Fenton Lutunatabua, Pacific and Caribbean Programme Lead at 350.org, said:**

What is astonishing is that Australia is set to approve a new mammoth coal expansion. This is the opposite of climate leadership. Expanding a coal mine is the last thing a COP co-president should be doing as the planet barrels beyond 1.5 degrees, and yet Australia continues to betray its Pacific neighbours by doing exactly that.”

350.org is calling on the COP31 Presidencies to ensure that the final COP31 outcome reflects the urgency of moving beyond fossil fuels, builds on the roadmap process initiated under Brazil's COP30 Presidency and supports countries to develop increasingly ambitious national transition plans.

The organisation stresses that the success of these roadmaps must be measured not by how many countries publish them, but by whether they deliver a rapid, fair and science-aligned end to fossil fuel dependence.

**ENDS**

Join the [350.org](http://350.org/) [broadcast group](https://signal.group/#CjQKIDMeH5b6IiVvR9B5LMZLa738ZnnOWML8XWBQWB5DIbfWEhDFndyvvhMSbn_GijrEUdNB) for media updates throughout COP31

24/7, on call, team email: [**global-comms@350.org**](mailto:global-comms@350.org)

Kim Bryan | Email: [**Kim Bryan**](mailto:kim.bryan@350.org) | Phone: +44 7770 881503

Ilang-Ilang Quijano |[**Ilang-Ilang Quijano**](mailto:ilang.quijano@350.org) | +639175810934

**Notes to editors**

- [TAFF refers to the transition away from fossil fuels.](https://www.irena.org/Publications/2026/May/Transitioning-away-from-fossil-fuels) In the initial consultations on a COP31 Cover Decision, AOSIS, the European Union, the Environmental Integrity Group and Iceland collectively representing at least 73 countries, explicitly called for advancing the transition away from fossil fuels. At the Leaders Summit, leaders from Cyprus, Slovenia, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Norway, Guyana, the UK, Niue, Finland and Austria raised the need to transition away from fossil fuels. The EUs von der Leyen echoed the need to overcome fossil fuel dependence through electrification.
- The [**First International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels**](https://www.fossilfueltreaty.org/conference) took place in Santa Marta, Colombia, in April 2026, bringing together representatives from 57 countries, alongside civil society and scientists.
- The [**Action Agenda** at COP31](https://cop31.tr/action-plan) provides a platform for initiatives and cooperation beyond the formal negotiations.

![Climate activists protest outside a modern building with green lighting, holding signs reading "END THE FOSSIL ERA" and "NO MORE FOSSIL FUELS" with anti-fossil fuel symbols, demanding action on climate change.](https://350wagtail-live-afef3c896ec14ef3a8d09e9-f6e2285.divio-media.com/media/images/endfossilera.width-1600.webp)