The co-presidency of COP31, entrusted to Turkey and Australia, has drawn criticism due to the absence of concrete data on coal phase-out. The 350.org NGO report 'Complices du charbon' highlights that neither Turkey nor Australia has set a timeline for phasing out this energy source, despite it being responsible for 43% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This absence of a coal exit strategy is rare among industrialized nations and represents a major source of concern for climate activists. Turkey, which hosts the summit until November 20, is the leading European producer of coal-fired electricity. According to data from the Ember think tank, in 2025 coal plants accounted for 34% of national production, despite 43% of energy coming from clean sources (wind, solar, and hydroelectric). Turkey's 2040 energy plan includes investments estimated at $500 billion, aimed not only at renewables and nuclear but also at expanding gas and coal capacities to ensure energy security. Australia, the world's second-largest coal exporter after Indonesia, approved seven new mining projects since 2023, accounting for 56% of global coal projects in development. Its oil and gas production grew by 77% since 2015. The economic link between the two countries is strong: between 2015 and 2025, Australia exported 28.5 million tonnes of coal to Turkey, equivalent to 75 million tonnes of CO2 emitted during combustion. However, Turkey presented an electrification target at Antalya, proposing to increase the share of electricity in global energy consumption to 35% by 2035, up from 20% today. Expert Fanny Petitbon of 350.org warns that electrification is no magic solution if more than half of globally produced electricity comes from gas and coal. She emphasizes the need for this target to be qualitative, based on renewable energy. Climate Action Tracker classifies Australia's climate measures as 'insufficient' and Turkey's as 'gravely insufficient'. UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the need to overcome taboos associated with moving away from fossil fuels. [1]
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