Ninety-four civil society organisations from Türkiye and Australia have issued a strong call for bolder climate leadership ahead of COP31, urging decision-makers to put the transition away from fossil fuels at the centre of the negotiations.
Released during the Bonn Climate Conference, the joint statement calls on the COP31 Presidency to take concrete steps toward a just, orderly and equitable phase-out of coal, oil and gas. The organisations underlined that Türkiye and Australia’s role in the COP31 process represents not only a diplomatic responsibility, but also a historic opportunity to accelerate global climate action.
The coalition stressed that keeping the 1.5°C goal alive requires more than promises. It requires clear timelines, stronger climate finance, and real implementation of the Just Transition Mechanism. NGOs also called for greater support for mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage, while highlighting the need to ensure that major polluters contribute fairly to climate solutions.
The statement also warned that climate negotiations must be protected from the influence of the fossil fuel industry. Civil society groups emphasized that Indigenous Peoples, women, youth, local communities and NGOs must have meaningful participation in the COP31 process.
WWF-Türkiye noted that Türkiye can strengthen its climate leadership by announcing a clear coal phase-out date. According to civil society organisations, COP31 will be a crucial test for Türkiye and Australia to show whether they are ready to lead a fair, ambitious and science-based transition toward a clean energy future.
