What happened
During the United Nations General Assembly week in New York, Türkiye’s Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Minister and COP31 President Murat Kurum presented the COP31 Action Agenda. The agenda is intended to move climate goals towards actions that can be measured, implemented and supported by investment.
Its scope includes energy and industry, urban areas, food systems, oceans, health and education. Priority measures include electrification, resource efficiency, circular economy approaches and reduced waste. The agenda also envisages translating climate objectives into project portfolios that investors can assess, while strengthening links among public authorities, companies, investors and financial institutions.
UN Global Compact Türkiye said it had taken business concerns to the wider COP31 process through consultations on decarbonisation, climate adaptation, sustainable finance, circular economy and innovation. At a 21 September roundtable at the UN Global Compact headquarters, it convened business leaders with public, UN and COP31 stakeholders alongside UN Global Compact and networks from more than 10 countries.
Why it matters
For companies in Türkiye, the discussion shifts attention from setting sustainability commitments to delivering projects, securing capital and managing operational risks. The consultations identified access to finance, reliable and comparable data, and stronger cooperation mechanisms as common needs.
Businesses also raised practical constraints around electrification. These included electricity-grid and storage capacity, long-term funding and power purchase agreements. These topics were also raised by business representatives from other countries in New York, according to UN Global Compact Türkiye.
The agenda connects climate action with investment decisions, supply-chain choices and long-term risk management. It also places human rights, responsible procurement and technology transition alongside climate and energy issues.
Background
The UN Global Compact Leaders Summit, held under the theme of sustainable growth and resilience, brought together more than 750 participants. Discussions covered how companies can embed sustainability in risk management, strategy, investment and operations, as well as the role of collective action in addressing barriers in policy, finance, markets and supply chains.
What's next
COP31 is scheduled to take place in Antalya in November. UN Global Compact Türkiye said it will continue bringing companies’ experience and proposed solutions into the process and connecting global developments with businesses in Türkiye.
