Türkiye's Erdogan urges developed countries to take greater responsibility for climate action

Detailed summary

Developed countries that have depleted the global carbon budget should assume greater responsibility for emissions reductions and financing," Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan says.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for decisive global action to tackle the climate crisis, urging developed countries to take greater responsibility for reducing emissions and providing climate financing.

Speaking at the COP31 Business Forum in Türkiye's southern city of Antalya on Thursday, Erdogan said the alarming scale of the climate crisis demanded determined action worldwide.

"Developed countries that have depleted the global carbon budget should assume greater responsibility for emissions reductions and financing," he said.

Erdogan stressed that developing countries' right to development must be protected and communities bearing the heaviest burden of the climate crisis should receive strong support.

He warned against countries prioritising their own interests at the expense of collective action, saying such an approach would lead to greater challenges and more devastating disasters.

"If we act with the understanding that 'every man for himself,' the door will be opened to much greater difficulties and far more devastating disasters," he said.

The president also cautioned against repeating past mistakes by sacrificing environmental protection for economic interests.

"Errors made 50 or 100 years ago are now emerging one by one. If we repeat the same mistakes today and sacrifice ecology for the economy, our children will pay the price," he said.

Erdogan said Türkiye was resolutely pursuing its green development agenda, restructuring sectors ranging from energy and industry to transportation, agriculture and construction.

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