Turkey plans shift from coal and fossil fuels ahead of COP31 climate summit

Turkey is preparing to reduce its reliance on coal and other fossil fuels as it gets ready to host the COP31 climate change summit, WRAL reported. The country is currently Europe's largest coal power generator, with coal accounting for 33% of its power generation last year, according to the Turkish Energy Ministry and energy think tank Ember.

Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar unveiled the National Energy Plan 2040, which outlines a significant shift in Turkey's energy use. The plan emphasizes increasing the share of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, which currently make up nearly 23% of electricity generation, WRAL added.

The upcoming COP31 summit in Antalya has brought international attention to Turkey's energy policies and its efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources. The plan represents a major change in the country's energy strategy as it seeks to balance environmental goals with energy needs, according to the Associated Press.

Turkey's hosting of the annual environmental conference highlights its commitment to addressing climate change by transforming its energy sector over the next two decades, the Associated Press noted.