Press freedom in the shadow of climate diplomacy: COP31 is in Antalya

The United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP31) will take place at the Antalya EXPO Center from 9 to 20 November. At the summit, countries will negotiate the policies they are implementing to limit the climate crisis, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle the effects of the crisis.

However, climate summits are not merely platforms for negotiating climate policies; they are also arenas where journalists’ access to information, the right to protest and freedom of expression are put to the test. In recent years, at summits held in authoritarian countries such as Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Azerbaijan, journalists have faced restrictions on their ability to report the news, whilst protests have also been significantly curtailed.

Ahead of COP31, civil society organizations (CSOs) working in the field of freedom of expression and journalism professional bodies called on the host countries, Turkey and Australia, emphasizing that participants must be able to express themselves freely and take part in peaceful protests without fear of reprisal. The difficulties faced by journalists in Turkey during the accreditation process and the problems encountered by civil society organizations in attending the summit raise questions about the extent to which these safeguards can be guaranteed. Moreover, whilst restrictions on access to journalists’ X accounts became widespread in September, 11 journalists have been arrested in the past month and a half.

We spoke with Selin Uğurtaş, editor of İklim Masası—which aims to disseminate reliable information on the climate crisis—and Özdeş Özbay, one of the producers and presenters of the “Açık Gazete” program broadcast on Apaçık Radio, about the preparations for COP31, the obstacles faced by independent journalists, and what the summit means in terms of freedom of expression.

Is Turkey unprepared for COP31?

Selin Uğurtaş pointed out that there are no mechanisms in place to organize the participation of independent organizations working in the fields of the climate crisis and ecology at the summit, and that, despite their requests, they have not been included in the decision-making processes:

“Turkey was the last G20 country to ratify the Paris Agreement. Many developments – such as the ratification of the Agreement, the setting of the 2053 net-zero target and the passing of the climate law – have taken place within the last five years. Consequently, we were not a leading country in climate diplomacy. As Turkey was not part of any country group, it appeared rather isolated. It did not sign up to most commitments, and we struggled to understand where it stood on key issues. Finding itself in this position, Turkey was suddenly faced with the task of preparing to host the COP within a year. In fact, the host country is usually confirmed much earlier, giving nations more time to prepare. I believe the organizational chaos was partly due to this.

“This is the general picture, which affects everyone. However, there are also difficulties in accessing information and being included in the processes. In particular, organizations that produce independent information and policy report that there are no mechanisms defining participation processes and that, despite their requests, they have not been included in consultation processes. This also undermines Turkey’s claim that the COP31 process will be based on dialogue and consensus.”

Uğurtaş: “Attending COP31 is more difficult for independent journalists”

According to Uğurtaş, in Turkey – where the independent media and journalists are struggling to maintain their professional existence – there are additional barriers to participation in the summit:

“This year, a change has been made to the application model of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) regarding press accreditation. Previously, journalists would apply themselves using assignment letters and news articles they made, and each application was assessed individually. Now, however, the process is handled through organizations. An accredited media organization must assign journalists. This UNFCCC system therefore affects all journalists wishing to attend; however, in a country such as Turkey, where media ownership is politically shaped and independent media and journalists struggle to remain in the profession, it makes participation even more difficult for independent journalists.

“In particular, many journalists covering climate and environmental issues are forced to work independently or produce stories on a freelance basis. Whilst attending a two-week conference is already logistically costly, they may also find themselves having to take on additional burdens, such as ensuring the organization that has assigned them is accredited.”

COPs and the Flight from Democracy

Özdeş Özbay, meanwhile, highlighted the impact of COP summits being held in recent years in countries where press and freedom of expression have been restricted, on the climate movement’s capacity for action and the right to protest:

“Since the signing of the UNFCCC in 1992, the COPs—where signatory states gather—have come to be associated with being held in authoritarian countries in recent years. In 2019, the world was shaken by the FFF (Fridays for Future) protests – the climate strike movement initiated by Greta Thunberg – and by the Extinction Rebellion (XR) movement, which began in the UK and spread across the globe. On the global day of action in September 2019, 7.5 million people worldwide took to the streets for the climate.

“2019 marked a turning point. The COP25 summit scheduled for that year was originally due to take place in Brazil; however, the presidential election held at the start of the year was won by the far-right, climate-denying Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro announced that he would not host the summit, citing economic reasons. Consequently, the summit was moved to Chile. However, with just two months to go before the summit, a major social uprising broke out in Chile – the birthplace of neoliberalism – in response to neoliberal policies and mounting economic problems. Whilst climate activists were thrilled that the summit was to be held in the very place where such a movement was gaining momentum, the COP summit was moved away from Chile. Consequently, COP25 took place in Madrid, the capital of Spain.

“Despite this change made just weeks before the summit, tens of thousands of climate activists in Madrid organized a massive protest march at which Greta Thunberg also spoke. The summit collapsed, and many of the expected key decisions were not taken. Just as the climate movement and opposition to the COP summits were gaining momentum, the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world. Lockdowns and the impossibility of any form of social gathering had the greatest impact on this global movement. The COP26 summit, which was due to take place in Glasgow at the end of 2020, was postponed until the end of 2021.”

COP26 as a turning point

Özbay described the issues that have arisen since COP26 regarding the right to protest at summits and journalists’ ability to cover the negotiations as follows:

“Despite everything, the postponed COP26 was the last COP summit at which the climate movement organized mass protests. Climate activists once again protested against the summit for failing to take the urgent decisions that were expected. COP26 was protested with a march attended by a crowd of 100,000 people. Extinction Rebellion and Scientists for Climate Action organized road and bridge blockades. Dozens of scientists were detained.

“Although the COP26 summit was held in a democratic country, it also made headlines for restrictions imposed on the press. Under the pretext of COVID-19 measures, observers and the press were largely barred from entering the negotiation halls. Furthermore, there were criticisms that the summaries sent to the press by the host nation, the UK, failed to reflect the debates that took place during the negotiations. The decisions taken had been glossed over when presented to the press. COP26 President Alok Sharma was forced to issue an official apology due to the problems faced by the press and observers. Almost all the summits following COP26 were held in anti-democratic and authoritarian countries. Moreover, some of these states were major fossil fuel-producing nations, often referred to as ‘oil states.’”

From COP27 to COP30

“The fact that COP27 was to be held in the country of dictator El Sisi, who had brutally suppressed the Egyptian revolution, indicated from the outset that the summit would be different from its predecessors. Egypt’s military regime tightened its grip even further in a country where protests were already banned. The summit took place in an expensive tourist resort such as Sharm el-Sheikh. The high cost of everything in the city – including accommodation, food and drink – made it difficult from the outset for activists, NGOs and representatives from poorer countries to attend. Fearing protests whilst the international media’s attention was focused on Egypt, the regime launched a widespread crackdown on activists, detaining hundreds of people in the run-up to the summit.”

Freedom of expression as a matter for negotiation

Drawing attention to the surveillance measures faced by journalists, the restrictions on news coverage and the bans on protests at summits held in Egypt, the UAE and Azerbaijan, Özbay assessed how these conditions have narrowed the scope for the climate movement and independent journalism with the following remarks:

“From a press perspective, COP27 made headlines as a scandal. Reports emerged that the smartphone app which accredited press members were required to use for entry and exit granted security forces access to journalists’ personal data. The Egyptian state was using this app as a surveillance tool. Furthermore, journalists wishing to film or conduct interviews on the streets outside the Blue Zone, where official meetings were held, were kept under close surveillance by plainclothes police. The aim was thus to ensure that no negative news about Egypt appeared in the world press.

“COP28, meanwhile, took place in Dubai, in the UAE – another authoritarian regime. The summit was once again held under conditions where all forms of protest and marches were banned. The President of COP28, Sultan Al Jaber, was also the CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

“This time, the scandalous reports emerged even before the summit had begun. In an exclusive report based on technical analyses carried out by cybersecurity and traceability experts commissioned by The Guardian, it was revealed that the COP28 organizing committee’s email system shared the same email servers as the UAE’s state-owned oil company, ADNOC. Experts stated that, due to this technical infrastructure, the oil company had the authority to clearly view and read all emails sent to and from the COP28 Climate Summit office. The summit also made headlines in the global press due to the participation of over 2,400 fossil fuel lobbyists. Restrictions on protests in the Blue Zone were taken a step further, with an announcement that the names of no country or company could be mentioned during the demonstrations. Inside Climate News reported that the summit was the worst in terms of freedom of expression and press freedom.

“The summit in Dubai coincided with the 7 October attack and the first months of the genocide in Gaza launched by Israel. However, the UAE imposed severe restrictions on any protests organized in this context. The largest protest during the summit was a Palestine rally attended by 500 people, but even there, chanting the slogan ‘Free Palestine from the river to the sea’ was banned. From a press perspective, journalists were required to provide comprehensive personal details, and filming or taking photographs outside official conference areas without direct authorization was prohibited. COP29 was held in another, even more authoritarian petro-state: Azerbaijan. In Baku, too, it was forbidden to mention the names of specific countries, companies or leaders directly during protests within the Blue Zone. Throughout 2024, the offices of independent media organizations such as Abzas Media, Toplum TV, Channel 11 and Channel 13 were raided by the police and were generally shut down on charges of financial offenses or receiving funding from abroad. Following three summits held in authoritarian regimes, COP30 took place in Brazil, hosted by the left-wing President Lula da Silva. Whilst there were various criticisms at this summit as well, a major People’s Climate March took place for the first time in a long while, with indigenous peoples in particular showing significant participation.”

What lies in store for journalists and activists in Antalya?

Özbay reported that, whilst there is as yet no official decision on restrictions regarding the summit in Turkey, journalists and activists are anxious due to past experiences, and civil society organizations are facing difficulties with accreditation and event applications:

“COP31 will take place in Antalya, Turkey – a tourist city similar to Egypt. The People’s Climate Summit (PCS), organized as an alternative to COP summits in recent years, has been continuing its efforts since the start of this year. A venue has been secured for the PCS away from the official COP summit in Antalya. A permit application has also been submitted for the People’s Climate March on 14 November.

“No restrictions have yet been imposed on the alternative summit or the march. However, the events that took place during the NATO summit in Ankara are causing concern amongst activists. As press accreditation for the COP summit is handled directly by the UNFCCC, the relevant UN body, there are currently no restrictions on the opposition press entering the Blue Zone. However, it is reported that there are issues with the accreditation of civil society representatives. It is also said that the majority of applications for side-events submitted by environmental NGOs for the Blue Zone have not been accepted.”

A call from the People’s Climate Summit

The People’s Climate Summit, established on 16 December 2025 by the three major umbrella organizations of the ecology movement in Turkey – the Climate Justice Coalition, the Ecology Union and the Turkey Environment Platform – has issued the following call regarding COP31: as follows:

“Although Turkey’s hosting of COP31 is being marketed by the government as a ‘climate responsibility,’ in reality it is an attempt to legitimize, on an international stage, a fossil-fuel-centered development model, mining exploitation, the plundering of forests and water resources, and coal, nuclear and energy projects. These policies – which lack a coal phase-out timetable, extend the lifespan of thermal power stations, open new mining sites, and sacrifice villages, forests, pastures and agricultural land for the benefit of corporations – have absolutely no connection to climate justice.

To collectively raise the people’s voice against corporate-sponsored spectacles,
life against fossil capitalism,
truth against greenwashing,
and a fair and people-centered transition against false solutions;

On 14 November: Join us in global actions and the march in Antalya so that we can make our voices heard loud and clear to world leaders discussing our future! Let us all say together: ‘It is time for real justice!’

15–18 November: Join us at the People’s Climate Summit, where the climate justice movement will come together to discuss, learn and develop strategies for systemic change.”

Etiketler: Antalya COP 31, climate change, COP, cop 31, COP31