AGP Executive Report

Extreme Heat: Europe’s summer heat wave killed more than 50,000 people, a new analysis estimates; climate change drove about two-thirds of the deaths. The findings land weeks before UN climate talks in Türkiye. COP31 Finance: A green investment summit opened in Istanbul ahead of COP31, with UNDP urging faster funding for climate action. Türkiye is also seeking to cut delays in climate projects. Clean Energy: Türkiye’s new wind and solar tenders are expected to attract about $2 billion in investment. Flood Risk: Deadly flooding in Istanbul has prompted plans to rehabilitate streams and demolish buildings, amid warnings that climate change is increasing the city’s flood risk.

COP31 and Green Investment: UNDP urged faster green investment as Istanbul hosted a pre-COP31 summit. Turkish officials say the November climate talks will focus on putting policies into action. Flood Risk: Deadly flooding in Istanbul, which killed at least nine people, has sharpened attention on climate resilience; stream rehabilitation and demolitions are planned. Energy Transition: Turkey says renewables make up more than 62% of installed power capacity, with wind and solar topping 43 gigawatts. But UN figures also place Turkey among G20 economies with rising emissions, while new coal projects raise questions about its climate ambitions as COP31 host.

COP31 Green Finance: Istanbul’s pre-summit investment meeting urged faster funding for clean energy, sustainable industry and circular-economy projects. A UNDP official said capital is available, but high financing costs are holding back climate investment in developing countries. Climate Risks: New research estimates heat caused 50,391 deaths in European cities this summer, with climate change contributing to about 32,600. The findings land weeks before Türkiye hosts COP31 in Antalya. Summit Priorities: COP31 is expected to focus on putting climate policies into action, as Türkiye works to reduce delays in climate projects. Türkiye has set a goal of meeting 70% of its energy needs from renewables by 2040. Local Impacts: Istanbul’s recent floods have sharpened attention to climate risks in the city ahead of the talks.

Istanbul Floods: Deadly flooding has put climate risks in focus ahead of COP31. At least nine people died, prompting calls for stream rehabilitation and demolitions in flood-hit areas. COP31: Türkiye says the Antalya summit will focus on putting climate policies into action and cutting delays to climate projects. But a stark challenge looms: Australia and Türkiye’s new coal developments reportedly outpace cancellations. Water and Energy: Türkiye’s second-largest lake is drying up, while the country aims to meet 70% of its energy needs from renewables by 2040.

COP31: Türkiye says next month’s climate summit will focus on putting policies into practice, linking national plans with financing and involving cities, businesses and civil society. Flood Risk: Deadly flooding in Istanbul has sharpened attention to climate risks ahead of the summit, prompting stream rehabilitation and demolitions in affected areas. Emissions and Energy: A UN report lists Türkiye among G20 economies with rising emissions, even as new wind and solar tenders are expected to attract $2 billion in investment.

Istanbul Floods: Deadly downpours, described by officials as the city’s worst in 80 years, killed at least nine people. A climate study found the storm brought heavier rain and stronger winds than similar past weather, while noting natural variability also played a role. Authorities are planning stream rehabilitation and demolitions in flood-hit areas. Clean Energy: Türkiye’s planned wind and solar tenders are expected to attract about $2 billion in investment, as the country prepares to host COP31 in Antalya from Nov. 9. Climate Finance: The European Investment Bank plans to double climate-adaptation funding to €30 billion by 2030, including support for water systems, flood protection and early-warning measures. Drought and Wildlife: Drying at Türkiye’s second-largest lake, Salt Lake, is threatening wildlife and local livelihoods.

Istanbul Floods: Deadly flooding in Istanbul has killed at least nine people, prompting calls to rehabilitate streams and demolish buildings on flood-prone streambeds. Reports warn that climate change is worsening the city’s flood risk. Climate Commitments: A UN report says current policies put the world on track for 2.6°C of warming this century, as Türkiye prepares to host COP31 in Antalya. Türkiye is among G20 economies with rising emissions, sharpening scrutiny of its climate plans. Clean Energy: Türkiye expects about $2 billion in investment from new wind and solar tenders and aims to meet 70% of its energy needs from renewables by 2040. Pollution Across Borders: Greek lawmakers have asked the European Commission to address smoke and runoff from crop-residue burning in Türkiye, warning of risks to communities, the Evros River and its delta. Drilling Pressure: Environmental concerns are mounting over expanding oil exploration in Kurdish regions, where local groups report tree loss, habitat damage and threats to water resources.

Climate Accountability: A new UN report says current pledges put the world on track for 2.6°C of warming. Türkiye’s emissions rose in 2025, and its 2035 target allows more pollution than current policies are projected to produce — a stark test ahead of Antalya’s COP31 summit. Clean Energy: Türkiye aims to meet about 70% of its energy needs from renewables by 2040. Upcoming wind and solar tenders totaling 2,285 megawatts could attract roughly $2 billion in investment. Urban Flood Risk: Last week’s deadly Istanbul floods exposed the dangers of building on streambeds and the city’s weak readiness for heavier rainfall. Experts warn extreme downpours will grow more frequent and intense. Water Stress: Drought is shrinking Türkiye’s second-largest lake, Salt Lake, putting wildlife and local livelihoods at risk.

Climate warning: A new UN report says the world is on track for 2.6°C of warming this century even if countries meet their pledges, and 2.8°C under current policies. Overshooting 1.5°C is now unavoidable, but deeper cuts could limit the overshoot and help bring temperatures back down. Energy transition: Türkiye aims to meet about 70% of its energy needs from renewables by 2040 and invest $20 billion in energy efficiency by 2030. Flood risk: Istanbul’s worst rain in 80 years killed five people; the city is demolishing buildings on flood-hit streambeds. Water and wildlife: Drought is shrinking Türkiye’s Salt Lake, while warming sands on Turkish beaches are producing more female sea turtles — a warning of climate impacts ahead of COP31 in Antalya.

Flood Risk: Istanbul is still dealing with deadly flooding, with 48 landslides and damage to 300 businesses reported. A new analysis points to urban expansion and paved-over land as factors that can worsen flood impacts; the city is also demolishing buildings on flood-hit streambeds. Clean Energy: Türkiye aims to meet 70% of its energy needs from renewables by 2040, while planning $20 billion in energy-efficiency investment between 2024 and 2030. COP31 and Nature: Warming sands are skewing sea turtle hatchlings toward females, adding to climate warnings ahead of the Antalya summit. Türkiye’s drying Salt Lake is also threatening wildlife and local livelihoods. Istanbul Canal: The government is pressing ahead with the canal project despite environmental warnings.

Climate Science: The IPCC ended talks without setting a release date for its next major climate report. A delay could leave future emissions pledges without updated scientific guidance. Coal Expansion: New coal projects worldwide outnumber cancellations three to one, with Turkey among the countries adding projects—even as it prepares to host COP31. Istanbul Flooding: Torrential rain flooded Istanbul and four other provinces. A 14-year-old boy died after being electrocuted in a puddle; heavy construction and paved surfaces have left the city more exposed to floods. Drought: Türkiye’s second-largest lake, Salt Lake, is shrinking, putting wildlife and local livelihoods at risk. Wildlife: Warming sand is producing more female sea turtle hatchlings on Turkish beaches, a sign of climate pressure on the species. Canal Istanbul: The government is pressing ahead with the proposed canal despite warnings about its environmental risks.

Flood Emergency: Insurers estimate nearly $40 million in claims after record-breaking rain flooded Istanbul and five other provinces. The disaster damaged thousands of homes and businesses and caused deaths. Canal Istanbul: The government says it wants to tender the 45-kilometre waterway project “as soon as possible.” Critics warn it could damage the city’s water resources, including the Sazlıdere Dam, which supplies drinking water. Drought and Wildlife: Türkiye’s Salt Lake is shrinking amid drought and intensive groundwater use, threatening a vital flamingo breeding site and local livelihoods. Climate Warning: Warming sands on Turkish beaches are producing more female sea turtle hatchlings, highlighting climate risks ahead of COP31 in Antalya.

Warming Mediterranean: Hotter nesting sands are producing more female sea turtle hatchlings, researchers warn. Loggerheads, the COP31 mascot, offer a rapid signal of climate change’s effects on marine ecosystems ahead of next month’s summit in Antalya. Istanbul Floods: Record rainfall brought deadly flooding to Istanbul, with searches for missing people and renewed scrutiny of development on vulnerable streambeds. Drought Pressure: Water scarcity at Türkiye’s Salt Lake threatens wildlife and local livelihoods. Climate and Conservation: COP31 offers Türkiye a platform to showcase geothermal energy, while the country has added 12,000 hectares to its forest conservation network.

Istanbul Floods: At least four people died in the city’s worst flooding in decades, with others still missing. Officials are demolishing buildings that obstruct streambeds and plan rehabilitation work, after pointing to covered waterways and unplanned development as factors that worsened the disaster. Climate Warning: Sea turtles nesting on Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast are offering an early signal of warming: hotter sand can skew hatchlings’ sex ratio toward females. The issue is expected to feature at COP31 in Antalya. Drought and Nature: Drought is threatening wildlife and livelihoods around Salt Lake, while Türkiye has added 12,000 hectares to its forest conservation network. COP31 and Energy: Geothermal experts say the summit is a chance for Türkiye to attract investment and promote the resource beyond electricity generation. Türkiye’s renewable growth is also helping cut fuel costs and reliance on imports. Climate Accountability: Rights groups say Türkiye is restricting environmental defenders ahead of COP31, while campaigners question the role of companies linked to controversial mining and development projects among summit partners.

Water Stress: Drought and agricultural groundwater pumping are shrinking Salt Lake, threatening flamingos, tourism and a major source of Turkey’s salt. Istanbul Floods: The city’s worst flooding in more than 80 years killed four people; searches continued for three missing as landslides and damage hit businesses. Black Sea Pollution: Oil spills are worsening as Russia-Ukraine attacks threaten marine wildlife, while another damaged tanker ran aground on Turkey’s coast. COP31 Scrutiny: With Antalya set to host the climate summit in November, critics are questioning Turkey’s treatment of environmental defenders and the choice of controversial mining and development firms as partners. Energy and Conservation: Turkey’s renewable growth is helping lower fuel costs, while 12,000 hectares have been added to the forest conservation network. A court also overturned environmental approval for a hydroelectric plant in Bingöl.

Flood Emergency: Istanbul’s worst flooding in 80 years has killed four people, triggered 48 landslides and left three missing as more heavy rain is forecast. Salt Lake Drought: Tuz Gölü nearly dried up this summer as drought and agricultural groundwater pumping threaten flamingos, tourism and a major source of Turkey’s salt. Black Sea Pollution: Attacks on tankers and commercial ships are adding to oil pollution along the Black Sea coast, harming birds and putting marine ecosystems at risk. Energy Shift: Wind and solar now make up a third of Türkiye’s installed power capacity; the country aims to triple their combined capacity to 120 gigawatts by 2035. COP31 Under Scrutiny: As Antalya prepares to host the November climate summit, rights groups warn that arrests and investigations targeting environmental activists are undermining its climate ambitions. Forest Protection: Türkiye has added 12,000 hectares to its forest conservation network.