What happened
Türkiye’s Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change has outlined plans for the Green Zone at the COP31 site in Antalya. The Green Zone is set to occupy 582,000 square metres, while the Blue Zone, where climate negotiations will take place, is planned for 527,000 square metres. The combined venue is expected to cover 1.1 million square metres.
The ministry describes the Green Zone as a public-facing area for presenting practical climate measures and developing partnerships. It is intended to convene investors, entrepreneurs, technology developers, municipalities, universities, civil-society organisations and young people.
Named centres are being prepared for zero waste, climate finance, energy and transport, science and technology, resilient cities, green industrialisation, culture and civilisation, business, start-ups and COPArt. The ministry also plans spaces for concerts, exhibitions, talks and other events.
Why it matters
For Turkish companies, start-ups and local authorities, the Green Zone is intended to provide a venue to present climate-related products and projects, meet potential partners and engage with international organisations. The planned business and start-up areas may be particularly relevant to firms working on energy, transport, waste, industrial decarbonisation and climate finance.
The European Union is also expected to have a presence in the Green Zone. The ministry said projects run by the United Nations Development Programme in Türkiye would be presented there, alongside participation from international parliamentarians and European local authorities.
Background
Under the host country’s coordination, a COP Green Zone provides space for businesses, academia, civil society, youth representatives and innovators to share solutions, display projects and form partnerships. Türkiye is continuing preparations for the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
What's next
Preparatory work on the thematic centres is continuing. More than 45,000 people from 154 countries have applied to volunteer, according to the ministry, while close to 2,000 non-governmental organisations and municipalities have indicated that they want to participate. A TED programme is also planned in Türkiye in connection with COP31.
