Türkiye’s Focus on Resilient Cities for COP31

Türkiye positions resilient cities at heart of COP31 climate agenda

Türkiye has placed resilient cities at the centre of its presidency for COP31, the UN climate summit scheduled for November 2026 in Antalya. Murat Kurum, the country’s Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister and president-designate for the conference, announced the priority at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin on 21 April 2025. His focus draws directly from Türkiye’s experience rebuilding 11 provinces after the devastating earthquakes of 6 February 2023.

The disaster killed more than 50,000 people and displaced millions. In response, authorities delivered over 455,000 housing units within two years, incorporating seismic and climate-resilient design standards. Kurum argues this rapid reconstruction offers practical lessons for countries facing overlapping climate and disaster risks. Consequently, he wants COP31 to become a platform for sharing these models globally.

The summit takes place from 9 to 20 November 2026 at the Antalya EXPO Center. This marks the first time Türkiye has hosted the annual Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. In addition, the event follows COP30 in Brazil and comes at a time when geopolitical tensions threaten multilateral climate cooperation.

Nine priorities include zero waste and industrial decarbonization

Kurum outlined nine focus areas for Antalya during his Berlin remarks. Beyond resilient cities, these include zero waste, clean energy transitions, industrial decarbonization, protection of oceans and ecosystems, food security, climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable competitiveness, and youth participation. Each theme reflects challenges facing UK businesses, particularly those with international supply chains or operations in climate-vulnerable regions.

Resilient cities, however, sit at the top of the list. Urban areas house more than 56 percent of the global population and generate roughly 70 percent of carbon emissions, according to UN-Habitat estimates. Therefore, how cities adapt to rising temperatures, extreme weather, and resource scarcity will determine whether the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target remains achievable.

For UK SMEs, this urban focus matters commercially. Many export to markets where climate risks disrupt logistics, production, and demand. Meanwhile, public procurement frameworks increasingly expect suppliers to demonstrate climate resilience across their operations and supply chains. Understanding how other countries build resilience can inform risk management strategies and tender responses.

Türkiye’s reconstruction programme illustrates speed and scale. Delivering 455,000 homes in 24 months required coordinated planning, materials sourcing, workforce mobilization, and finance. The buildings incorporate earthquake-resistant structures and energy-efficient systems, addressing both immediate safety and longer-term carbon goals. This integration of disaster risk reduction with net-zero objectives offers a model for Nationally Determined Contributions, the climate pledges countries submit under the Paris Agreement.

COP31 arrives amid geopolitical pressure and finance deadlock

The summit faces headwinds. Ongoing conflicts, including tensions involving Iran, strain multilateral cooperation. Some analysts worry these divisions could undermine consensus-building at Antalya, particularly on climate finance commitments. Developed nations pledged to mobilize $100 billion annually for developing countries, yet delivery has lagged. Consequently, trust between Global North and South remains fragile.

Kurum emphasizes inclusivity. He told media that Antalya should foster broad cooperation and ensure no one is left behind. His rhetoric reflects awareness that smaller economies, especially island states and least-developed countries, bear disproportionate climate impacts despite minimal historical emissions. For these nations, resilience funding and technology transfer are not aspirational goals but survival requirements.

UK businesses engaged in international development, infrastructure, or climate services should note this dynamic. COP31 discussions on adaptation finance, technology sharing, and capacity building may create commercial opportunities. Firms offering expertise in climate-resilient construction, water management, renewable energy, or sustainable agriculture could find receptive audiences if their solutions align with developing-country priorities.

Organizations including WaterAid and the Climate Resilience Center plan events at Antalya. WaterAid will focus on water security and adaptation, while initiatives such as WaveSave’s flood solutions aim to showcase practical resilience technologies. The Resilience Hub, a networking space for adaptation practitioners, will host discussions throughout the conference. These parallel activities indicate strong sector interest in moving from policy commitments to implementation.

What the Antalya agenda means for UK businesses

Resilient cities as a COP priority signals a shift toward implementation. UK SMEs operating in construction, energy, manufacturing, or logistics should consider several implications. First, climate resilience is becoming a competitive differentiator in international markets. Clients and partners increasingly expect suppliers to demonstrate preparedness for physical climate risks such as flooding, heatwaves, and resource scarcity.

Second, procurement standards continue to evolve. Public sector tenders in the UK already require carbon reporting under frameworks like PPN 06/21. International buyers are adopting similar expectations. Businesses that understand how resilience integrates with carbon reduction can position themselves more effectively in tender processes. For example, a construction firm that explains how its designs withstand extreme weather while reducing operational emissions addresses both resilience and mitigation.

Third, supply chain risks grow as climate impacts intensify. Türkiye’s earthquake experience demonstrates how quickly disasters can disrupt production and distribution. Companies relying on suppliers in climate-vulnerable regions should assess these dependencies and explore diversification or resilience-building partnerships. Furthermore, businesses with operations in coastal areas, flood zones, or water-stressed regions face direct exposure to physical risks that resilience planning can mitigate.

Fourth, climate finance commitments made at COP31 could unlock funding for resilience projects. While most finance flows to large infrastructure or national programmes, smaller businesses may access capital through blended finance vehicles, green bonds, or development bank initiatives. Staying informed about finance mechanisms announced at Antalya helps businesses identify potential funding sources for their own resilience investments.

Türkiye’s nine-point agenda also highlights sectors where UK expertise aligns with global demand. Industrial decarbonization, for instance, matters to manufacturers facing carbon border adjustment mechanisms and scope 3 reporting requirements. Clean energy transitions affect businesses in power generation, transport, and heavy industry. Zero waste principles intersect with circular economy strategies that reduce costs and regulatory risk. Each priority area presents both compliance challenges and market opportunities.

Five key points for businesses tracking COP31

• COP31 takes place from 9 to 20 November 2026 at the Antalya EXPO Center in Türkiye, marking the country’s first time hosting the UN climate summit.
• Resilient cities top the agenda, drawing on Türkiye’s delivery of over 455,000 climate and earthquake-resistant homes following the February 2023 disasters.
• Nine focus areas include zero waste, clean energy, industrial decarbonization, food security, ocean protection, and youth participation alongside urban resilience.
• Climate finance commitments remain contentious, with developing countries seeking reliable funding for adaptation and mitigation as geopolitical tensions threaten multilateral progress.
• Practical resilience models showcased at Antalya may influence Nationally Determined Contributions and shape international procurement standards affecting UK exporters and suppliers.

Practical steps to prepare for resilience expectations

Businesses should start by assessing their exposure to physical climate risks. This means identifying which sites, suppliers, or operations face threats from flooding, heat stress, water scarcity, or extreme weather. Risk assessments inform decisions about infrastructure investment, supplier diversification, and business continuity planning. Moreover, they provide evidence for tender responses and stakeholder reporting.

Next, consider how resilience integrates with your carbon reduction strategy. Our net zero programme for carbon reporting compliance helps SMEs measure and reduce emissions while identifying co-benefits such as energy efficiency and resource security. Resilience and mitigation often reinforce each other. For example, transitioning to distributed renewable energy reduces both carbon footprint and vulnerability to grid disruptions.

Training also matters. Understanding climate risks, adaptation strategies, and evolving standards requires workforce capability. SBS Academy training on climate resilience equips teams to recognize risks, implement solutions, and communicate effectively with clients and procurement teams. This knowledge becomes particularly valuable as resilience criteria appear in more tender specifications.

Supply chain engagement represents another priority. Ask suppliers about their own climate risk assessments and resilience measures. Collaborative approaches strengthen entire supply chains rather than leaving weak links exposed. Additionally, sustainable procurement support for public sector suppliers helps businesses navigate the growing complexity of procurement standards that address both carbon and resilience.

Stay informed about outcomes from Antalya. COP31 decisions on adaptation finance, technology transfer, and resilience frameworks will shape policy and market conditions. Commitments made at the summit often translate into national regulations, procurement standards, and funding programmes within 12 to 24 months. Early awareness allows businesses to adjust strategies proactively rather than reactively.

Authoritative sources for further information

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change website provides official updates on COP31 preparations, including the Road to Antalya roadmap and collaboration between the COP30 and COP31 presidencies. The site also hosts documentation on climate finance commitments, Nationally Determined Contributions, and adaptation frameworks.

For UK-specific climate policy, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes guidance on carbon reporting, resilience planning, and how international agreements affect domestic businesses. Their resources help contextualize COP outcomes within UK regulatory requirements.

The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment offers technical guidance on climate risk assessment, adaptation planning, and sustainability standards. IEMA’s frameworks support businesses in building evidence-based resilience strategies aligned with emerging best practice.

Businesses tracking public procurement should consult Procurement Policy Notes from the Cabinet Office, particularly PPN 06/21 on carbon reduction and any future updates addressing climate resilience. These notes set requirements for suppliers bidding on government contracts.

Finally, BBC News coverage of climate and environment issues provides accessible reporting on COP developments, international climate policy, and business implications. Their reporting helps businesses understand the broader context shaping policy decisions.