The controversial COP29 conference wrapped up in Baku, Azerbaijan, after 13 eventful days and nearly 70,000 participants. Disagreements over climate financing extended the negotiations beyond the originally scheduled dates (November 11-22), concluding only on November 24.
The Conference ended with limited progress, committing just $300 billion annually for climate financing by 2035, far below the $1.3 trillion requested by developing nations. Key issues like fossil fuel subsidies, mitigation goals, and stronger carbon market regulations were left unaddressed. Geopolitical challenges and weak commitments cast doubt on meaningful action, shifting focus to COP30 in 2025.
Türkiye used the platform to present a roadmap for achieving net-zero emissions by 2053, emphasizing a balance between environmental and development goals. However, the absence of a coal phase-out plan, increasing nuclear capacity and concerns raised by NGOs and climate experts cast doubt on the plan's feasibility.
Climate Journalist Özgür Gürbüz, who followed COP29 in Baku, has expressed his disappointment, calling it “an ineffective COP.” Gürbüz shared his thoughts with Scrolli.
The conference faced significant criticism even before it began. The decision to host COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan has faced mounting criticism due to the country’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels and its poor track record on democratic norms.
The summit initially sparked outrage for the absence of women on COP29 organizing committee. Under pressure, organizers later revised the lineup, adding 12 women to the team.
Despite securing the summit, Azerbaijan’s leadership has pressed ahead with new fossil fuel investments, drawing further scrutiny. In a damning assessment, Climate Action Tracker (CAT) rated Azerbaijan’s climate action plan as “critically insufficient” in September. Analysts noted that Azerbaijan is among a handful of nations actively undermining global climate targets by doubling down on fossil fuel extraction.
Another criticism focused on the high number of fossil fuel lobbyists at COP29.
According to the organization Kick Big Polluters Out, at least 1,773 fossil fuel lobbyists have been granted access to COP29 summit in Baku. Similar to last year’s COP28 in Dubai, the number of fossil fuel lobbyists at COP29 surpasses nearly all national delegations, with only Azerbaijan (2,229), COP30 host Brazil (1,914), and Türkiye (1,862) sending larger delegations.
Eventful COP29 in Baku concluded on 24th of November with an extensive climate diplomacy, witnessed many tough negotiations and protests. Developed countries agreed to commit to providing $300 billion annually in climate financing by 2035. However, developing countries expressed that the cost of the steps they need to take to halt the climate crisis, including the expenses for loss and damage as well as adaptation processes, amounts to at least $1.3 trillion per year.
The demand from developing countries for climate financing to be primarily in the form of grants was also not put on paper. Tools like loans, development banks, and private financing have the potential to further burden already struggling developing countries with debt and interest.
Activists and NGOs have expressed strong concerns over the final agreement at COP29. They argue that the deal, hailed as a diplomatic success by some, fails to address the urgent needs of vulnerable nations, with many accusing wealthier countries of offering empty promises instead of real financial support.
The Paris Climate Agreement, adopted in December 2015, committed member countries to prepare "Nationally Determined Contributions" (NDCs) aimed at limiting global warming to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C.
In September 2021, Türkiye announced its 2053 Net Zero Emission Target and became a party to the Paris Agreement in November of the same year, relatively late compared to other G20 countries. However, due to certain reservations, Türkiye delayed ratifying the agreement until October 2021. In its intended NDC submitted earlier, Türkiye pledged to reduce emissions by 21% by 2030.
At COP29, Türkiye went even further, pledging to cut carbon emissions, targeting reducing emissions by 100 million tons by 2030. The government has also introduced a climate law, featuring a carbon trading system, aiming to establish Türkiye as a regional hub for carbon credit trading.
In his presentation, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum announced Türkiye’s goal of achieving 50% renewable energy and 30% nuclear energy in its energy mix by 2053 by generating 120 gigawatts from wind and solar by 2035, and expanding nuclear capacity to 20 gigawatts by 2050.
According to the strategy document, Ankara plans to invest $59 billion in renewable energy by 2035, $2.5 billion in energy storage, and $20.2 billion in energy efficiency by 2030 to achieve its targets. The document also projects significant emission reductions by 2053, including 93% in the cement sector, 99% in the iron and steel sector, 75% in the aluminum sector, and 100% in the fertilizer sector.
Türkiye’s strategy document has opened many paths to criticisms due to not including any signs of phasing out coal.
According to the Turkish Statistical Institute’s (TUIK) 2022 data, over 70% of Türkiye’s greenhouse gas emissions come from its fossil fuel-dependent energy sector. However, the document does not include any reference to phasing out coal, one of the dirtiest fossil fuels, despite Türkiye’s rapid expansion of coal production through new mines and power plants.
Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, during the Ministerial Session at COP29, highlighted Türkiye’s ambitious nuclear program, noting that in addition to the ongoing construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant with a total capacity of 4.8 GW, Turkish authorities plans to build two more nuclear plants in the Sinop and Thrace regions. He stated, "We believe that by bringing 20 GW of nuclear installed capacity online by 2050, we will contribute to the net zero emission goal."
Bayraktar argued that nuclear energy plays a crucial role in achieving the global net zero emission target by 2050. Türkiye signed the "Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy" at the summit.
Türkiye also became one of the 35 countries to sign "Methane Reduction from Organic Waste Declaration”. 30 countries that represent 47% of global methane emissions from organic waste became the initial signatories. The declaration supports the 2021 Global Methane Pledge (GMP), aiming for a 30% reduction in methane emissions by 2030.
The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), published annually by Germanwatch, evaluates the climate performance of 63 countries and the EU based on emissions, renewable energy, energy use, and climate policies.
In this year’s ranking, Türkiye placed 53rd, performing moderately in renewable energy but poorly in other categories. Experts criticized Türkiye’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for aiming to increase emissions by 2030 and highlight the need for phasing out fossil fuels and setting robust long-term climate goals.
After his presentation at COP29, Minister Murat Kurum responded to a journalist's question by stating, "We will gradually phase out fossil fuels over time," though he did not specify a timeline.
Climate Journalist Özgür Gürbüz criticized the waning influence of climate conferences. "It’s clear that COPs are losing power every year," he said. This year, the geopolitical climate, ranging from Israel and Russia’s conflicts to elections in the U.S. and Germany, dampened the participation of major players. “"Neither the leaders of major players such as China, India nor Brazil attended to COP 29. These are key figures who could have made an impact, but they were missing.”
The absence of global leaders came at a critical time when climate financing dominated the agenda. "In a conference so focused on funding, all these leaders were essential,” he added.
Gürbüz also criticized the lack of corporate accountability. "We negotiate with countries, but the real negotiations should be with corporations. Behind the scenes, fossil fuel and nuclear lobbies influence the talks, yet they’re not at the table. This has become one of the biggest handicaps of COPs," he remarked.
The failure to secure adequate climate financing remains one of COP29’s most significant shortcomings. Gürbüz explained, "Developing nations have long demanded $1.3 trillion annually by 2035, much of it as grants, not loans from entities like the World Bank. But developed nations only committed $300 billion. This failure dominated the summit, leaving other critical issues unaddressed."
In conclusion, Gürbüz described COP29 as "a failed COP," emblematic of the growing disconnect between the urgency of the climate crisis and global political will. "With time running out, the disconnect between the urgency of the climate crisis and the outcomes of these summits is increasingly stark”.
Turning to Türkiye’s recently unveiled climate strategy document, Gürbüz acknowledged some positives, such as plans to expand renewable energy and railway infrastructure. However, he emphasized glaring omissions. “This is a climate strategy document, so it must address the source of Türkiye’s emissions. Coal power plants are the primary problem, yet the document doesn’t say when, or even if, they’ll be shut down. Without addressing emissions sources, you’re not solving the problem.”
He also criticized inconsistencies in long-term planning. “For the period up to 2035, there’s some coherence. But for 2053, the figures lack credibility. For instance, the Minister claimed nuclear energy would make up 30% of Türkiye’s primary energy. With 20,000 MW of nuclear capacity, that’s 15 to 20 reactors, you can’t reach that number. For comparison, France has 56 reactors, and nuclear only accounts for 35% of its primary energy.”
Gürbüz also weighed in on Türkiye’s announcement to triple its nuclear capacity, a move touted by the government as essential to achieving net-zero goals. “Türkiye’s nuclear power is currently zero, so tripling that wouldn’t bother me,” he joked. He dismissed the claim as a nuclear marketing tool pushed by powerful lobbies in countries like the U.S. and France.
"Nuclear emits less than coal and gas but falls short of renewables in terms of emissions. It’s slow to build, expensive, three to four times the cost of renewables, and poses risks like nuclear waste and accidents," he explained.
He criticized the government’s reliance on Russian nuclear technology. “For a country with high solar and wind potential, buying expensive Russian nuclear energy is big and costly.”
President Erdoğan’s ambition to host COP31 could have mixed outcomes, according to Gürbüz. "Hosting a COP puts immense pressure on the host nation. It could bring more scrutiny to Türkiye’s climate policies, press freedom, as well as the pressure on civil society, similar to how Azerbaijan faced criticism over its fossil fuel projects and human rights issues during its hosting turn. The same would happen here, especially given Türkiye’s restrictive laws, like the recent proposed 'foreign agent' legislation.
"That said, the pressure could drive Türkiye to improve its climate policies. But let’s not forget the primary motivation: tourism, political branding, and promotion."
KATEGORİLER
Bilgi Alın
© 2025 Scrolli. Tüm Hakları Saklıdır. Scrolli Medya A.Ş
