AGP Executive Report

El Niño Alert: Meteorologists say El Niño has formed and could reach historic strength, likely turbocharging extreme heat and storms worldwide. Gaza Ceasefire Strain: Israeli strikes killed three in Gaza as mediators (including Egypt, Qatar and Turkey) pushed talks to reinforce a fragile truce. Energy Security: Turkish FM Hakan Fidan says expanding gas transmission to Bulgaria is strategically vital for Eastern Europe and points to a “Green Energy Transmission and Trade” project with regional partners. COP31 Push: Turkey is set to host COP31 and is backing an electrification-focused agenda, with global targets tied to scaling clean power. Wildlife & Land Use: Türkiye’s cherry export outlook gets a boost from strong harvest expectations, while Istanbul expands wildfire prevention measures with roadside cleanup. Climate Risk for Turkey: EU monitors report May 2026 as the second-warmest May on record, underscoring rising heat pressure across the region. Regional Water Tensions: Pakistan warns India that blocking Indus waters would be an “act of war,” citing the Indus Waters Treaty. Transport & Rail: Türkiye and Saudi Arabia sign railway and transport MoUs, including plans to revive the historic Hejaz Railway.

EV Factory Oversight: Turkey’s Industry and Technology minister says the government is closely monitoring BYD’s promised $1bn EV plant in Manisa, after parliament questioned slow progress and lack of construction or timelines. Grid Reliability Push: YESS Power commissioned a 30 MW battery energy storage system co-located with Mey Energy’s Novaci solar park in North Macedonia, aiming to stabilize renewables and support the Western Balkans’ green transition. Heat Risk for Fans and Players: The 2026 World Cup is set for extreme heat across North America, with many matches projected above 32°C and “feels-like” conditions higher, raising pressure for cooling and disruption planning. Water as a Security Flashpoint: The UK-based Foreign Office criticized an Indian minister’s remarks about blocking water to Pakistan as “deeply irresponsible,” warning it could amount to an act of war. Marine Life Discovery: Scientists report a massive whale graveyard off Australia, spanning about 1,200 km and hosting hundreds of fossil cetaceans, offering new clues on deep-sea ecosystems. Wildlife Threats in Albania: Thousands protest a Kushner-backed luxury resort plan in Albania’s Vjosa-Narta lagoon and Sazan island, warning it could damage flamingo, seal and sea-turtle habitats.

Climate Heat Record: The EU’s Copernicus service says May 2026 was the world’s second-hottest on record, with El Niño-linked warming and deadly extreme weather including floods in Turkey. COP31 Electrification: COP31 hosts are pushing “electrification” as a priority, with Turkey floating a 2035 global electricity target as talks begin to shape new climate goals. Green Finance: The EU and EBRD are adding €150m via EFSD+ to expand digital investment and climate resilience, including support for Turkey and the Western Balkans. Wildfire Preparedness: Istanbul is expanding wildfire measures, including roadside cleanup and forest access restrictions/open-fire bans to cut fire risk. Energy & Industry Deals: Canada and Türkiye plan to restart free-trade talks, with clean energy, aerospace and mining on the table; separately, Türkiye’s ITM 2026 textile machinery fair highlights sustainability and energy efficiency upgrades. Regional Security: Erdoğan warned Israel’s strikes in Syria and Lebanon threaten Türkiye’s security, while Turkey also hosted a trilateral foreign ministers meeting with Azerbaijan and Georgia focused on energy and transport connectivity. Biodiversity & Nature: A “State of Condor Conservation” item and a Turkey-linked wildlife note on rare “deer-shaped cat” sightings point to ongoing conservation attention.

COP31 Electrification Push: Türkiye’s COP31 president Murat Kurum says the summit will back a voluntary goal to lift electricity’s share of global energy demand to 35% by 2035, aiming to shield economies from fossil fuel price shocks amid Middle East-driven volatility. Climate Extremes: The EU’s Copernicus service reports May 2026 was the second-hottest on record globally, with an unusually early, intense heatwave in western Europe and severe flooding impacts including in Turkey. Akkuyu Nuclear Milestone: Türkiye’s first nuclear plant at Akkuyu loaded simulated fuel assemblies into its first reactor unit, a key commissioning step toward first electricity by year-end. Green Finance: Türkiye secured €200 million from the European Investment Bank to support its green transition, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable manufacturing for exporters. Marine Biodiversity Awareness: Turkish free diver Şahika Ercümen marked World Oceans Day with a coral reef dive in Egypt’s Red Sea, warning that rising sea temperatures and human pressures are driving coral loss. Transport & Rail Corridor: Türkiye and Saudi Arabia signed MoUs to deepen logistics and railway cooperation, building a potential land connectivity corridor linking the Gulf to Europe.

COP31 Electrification Push: Turkey’s COP31 team in Bonn is urging countries to back a voluntary “35 by 35” goal—electricity reaching 35% of global energy demand by 2035—framed as a way to cut fossil fuel reliance and shield families from volatile prices. Climate Diplomacy in Bonn: The mid-year UNFCCC talks (June 8–18) are also spotlighting the widening adaptation finance gap, with India calling for dedicated agenda space for climate funding obligations. Energy Transition Policy: Australia and Turkey are aligning on electrification as the fastest route to emissions cuts, with heat pumps, electric vehicles and electric industrial systems highlighted. Transport & Rail Cooperation: Türkiye and Saudi Arabia signed MoUs to expand logistics and railway collaboration, including standards, infrastructure modernization, safety, training and reducing environmental impact. GAP Dam & Heritage Loss: Construction on the Silvan Dam in Diyarbakır is set to flood villages and habitats, while restoration of the damaged historic Stone Bridge in Amed has rebuilt it with limestone—raising concerns about lost original character. Gaza Ceasefire Talks: Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye met in Cairo with Palestinian factions to push the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire and roadmap toward reconstruction.

COP31 Health Push: A Türkiye-led “Right to Clean Air” coalition of 74 organisations urged COP31 leaders in Bonn to put health at the center of climate action, arguing fossil fuels harm people and must be tackled in the COP31 agenda. Marine Pollution Controls: Antalya has introduced a phased smoking ban on selected beaches under a “Blue Mediterranean” plan, citing cigarette butts found on the seabed; fines are reported at 1,764 lira (about £28). Climate Transition Pressure: Climate envoys at Bonn warned that the Middle East-driven fuel shock is a fossil-fuel cost crisis, strengthening calls to accelerate the clean energy transition ahead of COP31 in Antalya. Biodiversity & Tourism Strain: Lesvos is seeing a surge in Turkish visitors that boosts the economy but is stressing ports, roads and public services, with calls for targeted infrastructure upgrades. Regional Cooperation: Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Georgia renewed trilateral cooperation pledges in Istanbul, including work on connectivity and shared regional stability—an indirect factor for environmental and disaster resilience planning. TİKA Development Abroad: TİKA sought deeper cooperation with Bangladesh on education for street children and climate resilience, while also reporting expanded health and education projects in Libya.

Climate Policy at COP31: Turkey’s COP31 chief Murat Kurum warned in Bonn that imported fossil fuels and debt pressures make the clean transition urgent, pushing negotiators to move key tracks forward before the Antalya summit. EU Climate Strategy: Reuters reports the EU wants “shorter, sharper and more strategic” COP31 goals after COP30 stalled on fossil-fuel and funding issues. Heat and Emissions Reality Check: A new global temperature roundup cites Copernicus data showing record-breaking heat, including Turkey among countries that set or tied national highs in recent years. Energy Transition Signals: An Ember analysis says gas is losing market share for a fifth straight year as renewables near parity in many countries, with Middle East supply concerns adding pressure. Zero Waste & Energy Efficiency: A D-8 dialogue chaired by Türkiye’s energy minister backed energy efficiency, circular economy and resource management, tying waste reduction to climate resilience. Biodiversity & Land Use: Reports highlight enforcement and disputes over tree loss and protected habitats, while Turkey’s own conservation and climate commitments keep showing up in regional forums. Maritime & Offshore Wind: Acta Marine delivered a new vessel for offshore wind construction and maintenance, underscoring Turkey-linked capacity in the renewables supply chain.

Climate Diplomacy: UN climate talks kicked off in Bonn ahead of Turkey’s Antalya summit, with negotiators aiming to set the direction on emissions cuts and climate finance, while environmental groups push for faster fossil-fuel phase-out and more support for vulnerable countries. Climate & Industry: Istanbul Chamber of Industry’s Türkiye Manufacturing Export Markets Climate Index edged up to 50.3 in May, signaling only marginal improvement as some European demand weakened but the US and parts of the Middle East showed recovery. Biodiversity & Education: Eskişehir’s ESOGÜ Zoology Museum reopened after relocation and renovation, with a mission to preserve Türkiye’s animal biodiversity and raise awareness of climate change impacts. Wildlife Conservation: A new push to relocate gopher tortoises is highlighted, reflecting ongoing efforts to protect species and manage habitats. Zero Waste: Türkiye’s president reiterated that the climate crisis threatens humanity, pointing to Zero Waste as a key national initiative.

Climate & Policy: President Erdoğan warned that the climate crisis is a global threat on par with war and pandemics, pointing to Türkiye’s Zero Waste push. Water & Disaster Risk: Syria’s Euphrates is swinging from historic low flows to sudden flooding, with debate over how releases from Turkey’s Atatürk Dam spillway gates are managed and whether climate change and rainfall alone explain the damage. Biodiversity & Land Use: Türkiye’s agriculture ministry met its Turkish counterpart to discuss forest, rangeland and nature reserve management, including seed propagation, gene banks and remote sensing. Wildlife Conservation: A U.S. case study shows gopher tortoises being relocated after development plans found occupied burrows—highlighting how conservation buffers and timing can reduce harm. Industry & Sustainability: Kipaş installed new dyeing and finishing equipment in Kahramanmaraş, running 24/7, with claims of energy savings and improved process control. Global Context: Iraq warned that disruptions tied to the Iran war could trigger a fiscal “disaster” if oil exports don’t resume, with limited flows routed via Türkiye’s Ceyhan port.

Tobacco & Youth Health: A new report revisits tobacco’s “healing” myth and warns how modern marketing—bright devices, sweet flavors, sleek designs and social media—keeps recruiting young people into nicotine addiction. South Caucasus Cooperation: Türkiye, Georgia and Azerbaijan are set for a trilateral foreign ministers meeting in Istanbul, with plans to deepen transport, connectivity, energy security and trade amid regional tensions. Hejaz Railway to Oman: Türkiye’s transport minister says the historic Hejaz Railway will be modernized and extended toward Oman to build an alternative route linked to Hormuz, alongside progress on major corridor road plans. Climate/Heat Risk: A study highlights how extreme heat is pushing “coolcation” travel trends, while research also explores how people seek relief during heatwaves. Waste & Circularity: Turkey’s Deposit Return System is set to roll out across provinces from July, aiming to cut litter and boost recycling. Wildlife Research: Ohio State University students are studying turkey populations in Turkey-related fieldwork across the US, reflecting broader concerns about declining wildlife numbers. World Cup Visa Tensions: Iran’s football federation accuses the US of “vindictive behavior” after visa denials for key staff, complicating preparations for the tournament.

World Bank Green Cities Loan: The World Bank approved a €191.5 million loan to modernize public transport, water and sanitation in Antalya and Konya, backing low-emission vehicles, wastewater upgrades, and climate-risk protection like flooding and drought resilience. Climate & Heat Context: Turkish cities are also facing mounting pressure from extreme heat and climate change, with the project framed as helping municipalities prepare bankable plans for long-term financing. Black Sea Safety: Türkiye’s coast guard said a Turkish-flagged fishing boat was attacked off Crimea, sinking and killing one crew member while four others were injured—another reminder of how conflict affects maritime safety. Noah’s Ark Debate: New soil analysis claims to strengthen the case that the Durupınar formation in eastern Turkey could be linked to Noah’s Ark, reigniting a long-running scientific dispute. Sports Diplomacy & Visas: Iran’s World Cup preparations have been disrupted by U.S. visa denials for parts of its delegation, with Ankara also hosting talks that touched on climate cooperation.

EU Fashion Reform Impact: Türkiye is positioning itself to benefit from tightening EU sustainability rules, with manufacturers betting on traceable, low-waste production and circular models as new frameworks like Digital Product Passports and EPR reshape sourcing. Climate & Biodiversity Spotlight: Salda Lake in Burdur hosted “Salda Science Days,” using hands-on events to boost research and awareness around the Mars-like site’s biodiversity and endemic species. Marine Safety in the Black Sea: A Turkish-flagged fishing boat was attacked off Crimea and sank, killing one sailor and injuring four, underscoring ongoing risks to navigation and environmental safety. Waste & Pollution Watch: A study warns plastic pollution is rising in parts of the Marmara Sea, adding pressure on Turkey’s coastal ecosystems. Water Awareness: Türkiye’s schools are set to hold “ÇevreFest’26” events in June, while separate local reporting highlights how runoff pollution can make waterways unsafe for aquatic life and people. Energy & Governance Debate: Turkey-linked power supply concerns surfaced in international coverage, with calls for transparency around reliance on rented power capacity.

World Environment Day & COP31 Prep: Türkiye marked June 5 with an Istanbul forum on “zero waste as climate action,” feeding into plans to host COP31 in Antalya (Nov. 9–20), while Environment Minister Murat Kurum reiterated the 2053 net-zero goal, protected areas expansion, “nation gardens,” Blue Flag beaches and the Zero Waste Movement. Climate & Tourism Heat Pressure: A UK survey warns that many European holiday hotspots—including Turkey—could become too hot for summer travel within five years, pushing people toward cooler seasons or destinations. Waste & Pollution Governance: Turkey’s “zero waste” push also ties into broader efforts to cut emissions and conserve resources, with the forum aiming to shape implementation models ahead of COP31. Maritime Safety: The IMO confirmed the HNS hazardous cargo liability rules will enter into force in Nov. 2027, tightening compensation frameworks for chemical and noxious shipments. Local Environment Policy: Deposit Return System is set to roll out across all Turkish provinces from July, targeting waste reduction at the source.

Deposit Return System: Turkey will roll out a deposit return system for plastic/glass bottles and metal cans in all 81 provinces from July 1, paying TRY 1 per returned item via citizens’ electronic ID under the Zero Waste push. Marine & waste: A study warns plastic pollution is rising in the Marmara Sea, while a separate report highlights the removal of a massive ghost net off Istanbul—both pointing to urgent cleanup needs. Climate risk & water: Turkey’s Antarctic expedition team warns of alarming ice melt, and an Euphrates-focused report argues flooding in the valley is driven by political decisions and upstream water releases, not just “nature.” Biodiversity & invasive species: A community-led effort targets invasive yellow tuft alyssum, and Turkey’s schools are set to host “ÇevreFest’26” events in June. Regional environment diplomacy: Türkiye welcomed progress on Syria’s chemical weapons cleanup with OPCW cooperation, calling for stronger international support for a chemical weapons-free Syria.

Climate & Disaster Risk: A new study using oil and gas exploration data traces how two Euphrates tributaries once flowed into the eastern Mediterranean before switching direction—shedding light on a river that also made headlines after flooding in Turkey and Syria. Biodiversity & Nature Protection: Türkiye welcomed progress on identifying and eliminating remnants of Syria’s chemical weapons programme, urging stronger international support to reach a chemical weapons-free Syria. Wildlife & Community Engagement: A Zero Waste Festival kicked off in Istanbul, while Türkiye’s schools are set to hold “ÇevreFest’26” events in June. Conservation & Education: Turkey’s Antarctic expedition team warned of alarming ice melt, adding urgency to climate monitoring. Transport & Environment: Maersk launched a weekly ocean service linking North Europe and Italy with Egypt to improve transit times and reliability along a growing EU–Egypt trade corridor. Marine Life: Türkiye imposed nighttime beach restrictions to protect endangered sea turtles.

Zero Waste Week in Istanbul: The Zero Waste Festival opened June 4 at Atatürk Airport, aiming to draw about one million visitors over four days with recycling workshops, energy-efficiency talks, circular economy projects and sustainability education, under the patronage of Emine Erdoğan. Coastal pressure and housing: Türkiye’s summer coastal property market keeps climbing, with prices in top destinations rising roughly 20–25% year-on-year, led by Bodrum and the northern Aegean as buyers chase year-round, less crowded homes. Heat adaptation in Turkey: A new study using mobile location data across seven countries, including Türkiye, finds people often retreat indoors during heatwaves, while malls and parks can act as key cooling refuges—especially where homes lack air conditioning. Environmental enforcement update: In Tennessee’s Turkey Creek case, officials say sampling and cautionary monitoring after a sewer overflow have returned to pre-event conditions, with the utility released from extra sampling obligations. Climate integrity warning: A report highlights why many voluntary carbon offsets fail to deliver reliable emissions cuts, pointing to recurring structural problems across major registries and project types. Energy and industry backdrop: SunExpress trims UK summer routes and frequencies due to higher jet fuel costs tied to regional geopolitical volatility.