Thousands protest in Antalya for stronger climate action during COP31 summit

Thousands of protesters marched through central Antalya on November 14, 2026, to demand stronger climate change measures. The demonstration occurred during the final week of negotiations for the COP31 summit, which began on November 9, 2026. Protesters called for stricter limits on fossil fuel use and increased financial support for developing nations to adapt to climate change.

Disputed participation figures

There are conflicting reports regarding the total number of participants in the demonstration. Organizers reported that more than 10,000 people participated in the demonstration. However, police estimated that over 7,000 people participated in the protest. The march was the largest demonstration held since the summit began.

Participants were required to undergo police security checks and searches before joining the march. The protest coincided with the People's Climate Summit, a counter-COP organized by the Climate Justice Coalition, Ecology Union, and Environmental Platform of Türkiye. This parallel summit is scheduled to run until November 18 and involves representatives from approximately 200 countries.

Demands for climate justice

The demonstration was organized by environmental groups, labor unions, and human rights organizations. Protesters focused on the need for expanded greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments and increased climate finance for developing countries. The COP31 summit has a target date of November 20 for a negotiated agreement.

Halime Saman, an activist and representative of the People's Climate Summit, said that climate injustice consequences are felt, but voices are not heard at COP. Saman noted that Turkey is a COP31 co-chair but lacks a roadmap to abandon fossil fuels. Yasar Gokoglu, a 78-year-old demonstrator who traveled 600 kilometers from Adana to participate, said that the summit is a spectacle sponsored by monopolies and no significant outcome is expected.

Security and international observation

The protest took place as international attention focused on the summit negotiations. Claudia Roth, the German State Secretary for Culture, urged Turkish security forces to avoid aggression and detentions, calling the protest an essential part of the summit.

The summit aims to expand greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments and increase climate finance for developing countries. As the negotiations continue toward the November 20 deadline, the pressure from civil society groups remains a central element of the COP31 proceedings in Turkey.

Glossary

• COP31 — The COP31 summit is a negotiation event that began on November 9, 2026. It aims to reach a negotiated agreement by November 20.
• fossil fuels — Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy sources composed of a combination of oil, coal, and gas. They make up a significant portion of the total primary energy supply.
• People's Climate Summit — An alternative conference attended by environmental activists from regions most affected by climate change. It involves the formulation of declarations to call for systemic change.
• climate finance — An umbrella term for financial resources such as loans, grants, or domestic budget allocations for climate change mitigation, adaptation or resiliency. It can come from private and public sources and be channeled by various intermediaries.