Human Rights Watch Slams Türkiye Coal Expansion During COP31

Human Rights Watch criticized the Government of Türkiye for continuing to expand coal operations while co-hosting the COP31 climate conference in Antalya on November 11 and 12, 2026. The organization highlighted a disconnect between the host's international climate rhetoric and its domestic energy policies, noting that co-host Australia is similarly pursuing fossil fuel expansion.

Specific points of contention include the government's July 2026 appeal against a court ruling that blocked the expansion of the Afşin-Elbistan coal power plant in Kahramanmaraş province. Additionally, the government has initiated new permit processes for a plant in Çanakkale province and continues coal mining in the Akbelen forest despite local opposition.

While the Turkish government announced a National Energy Plan on November 5 to advance electrification by 2040, Human Rights Watch noted the plan lacks a concrete target to phase out fossil fuels. The organization previously submitted an amicus curiae brief against the Afşin-Elbistan project, which was one of five court challenges including one brought by the Turkish Medical Foundation.