'World to face climate crisis after COVID pandemic'

By Burak Bir

KONYA, Turkiye (AA) - Although the world is already facing a climate crisis, its effects will be felt more after the pandemic ends, a top official from the Union of Municipalities of Turkiye said on Thursday.

Speaking at a panel regarding the key roles of local administrations to combat climate change at the Climate Council, Birol Ekici, secretary-general of Union of Municipalities of Turkiye, said that the country had a huge need to organize such an international climate council.

"... because [although] we are already facing a climate crisis, now the world is going through a pandemic right now, but it is clear that we will face a climate crisis [heavily] in the coming period," he noted.

Referring to the motto of "think globally, act locally", Ekici stated that traditional development models brutally consume nature and it has become clear that local administrations must be more active if they want to protect the earth, climate and environment.

Reminding to the outcomes of previous UN climate meetings regarding the importance of local administrations on fighting climate change, he pointed out that if local authorities are not strengthened, they will not be successful as part of environmental protection.

"We expect the central government to form a vision for local governments [combating climate change] and distribute our roles to us by leading local governments as in this here in the council," underlined Ekici.

Saying that 93% of the population in Turkiye lives within the borders of municipalities, he stated that today the municipalities are expected to not only collect garbage but also decide the future of the country regarding a healthy environment.

Turkiye's first Climate Council kicked off on Monday to establish a roadmap in line with the Paris Agreement to reach net-zero emissions by 2053. The event will end on Friday.

Over 1,000 representatives of public institutions and universities, scientists, business people, farmers, and activists attended the event.