Turkey warns El Nino could cost $5 trillion as COP31 sets ambitious climate targets

Environment Minister Murat Kurum said the El Nino weather phenomenon could generate up to $5 trillion in global costs, a figure that does not yet account for human lives lost. He outlined COP31’s goals to increase electricity’s share of final energy consumption to 35 % by 2035, halve the growth of waste generation, and cut building‑sector energy intensity by at least 25 % over the same period.

Deputy Minister Fatma Varank emphasized Turkey’s capacity to contribute to climate solutions through its large youth population, 208 universities, more than 7 million students and over 200 000 scientists. She described COP31’s agenda as spanning electrification, zero‑waste, resilient cities, food security, health and education, with specific targets of 35 % electricity share, a 50 % reduction in waste growth, a 25 % cut in building energy intensity and a minimum 15 % use of circular materials by 2035. Varank called for universities and young people to be partners rather than mere recipients of climate policy.