Director of Climate Change Prof. Halil Hasar attended the Group of Friends for Children and Climate Action meeting in Belém, Brazil, where he was present for COP30.
11 November 2025
Director of Climate Change Prof. Halil Hasar attended the Group of Friends for Children and Climate Action meeting in Belém, Brazil, where he was present for COP30.
Delivering an address at the meeting, which focused on the impacts of climate change on children, Director of Climate Change Hasar underlined that the effects of climate change have become a defining reality in children’s lives today. “Every drought, flood, and heatwave primarily threatens children’s health, education, and safety.
We do not want our children to be merely victims of the climate crisis; we want them to become the architects of a more just and more livable world.” he said.
Noting that the goal is not only to protect children and young people but also to ensure that they understand climate change and become part of the solution, Director Hasar highlighted the following key points from his remarks:
“True resilience can only be achieved by ensuring that children and young people have equal access to knowledge, science, and decision-making processes”
“We believe that true resilience can only be achieved not just by strengthening infrastructure, but by ensuring that children and young people have equal access to knowledge, science, and decision-making processes. Climate policies are shaped by actively listening to and incorporating the voices and demands of children and youth. One of Türkiye’s flagship initiatives, the Climate Envoys Program, serves as a model that encourages the direct participation of young people and children in climate action. Climate envoys selected from universities across the country raise awareness among their peers, initiate local actions, and communicate climate issues to society in language that resonates with young people and children.”
“The Climate Law defines education-related activities on climate change as a mandatory responsibility for relevant institutions”
During the preparation of Türkiye’s Second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), we worked closely with young people. It was a model collaboration with Climate Envoys and UNICEF. Young participants delivered a clear message that “education is the foundation of everything” and expressed a strong demand for expanded climate change education. In response, the Climate Law has made climate-related education activities mandatory by defining clear responsibilities and obligations for relevant institutions.”
“It has also marked a significant turning point in fostering environmental awareness among our children and youth.”
“Türkiye continues to respond to young people’s calls for greater climate education. With the Climate Law that entered into force in July, education on climate change has been established as a legal obligation and responsibility for relevant institutions. In addition, the Zero Waste Movement has become a major milestone not only for environmental sustainability but also for strengthening environmental awareness among children and young people. Through the “Zero Waste Education Project in Schools,” led by our Ministry, more than 1 million children and young people were reached as of 2025, while teacher guidelines have integrated zero waste education into the school curriculum.”
“Young people want a resilient country.”
“Through the Youth Consultation Survey conducted by Climate Envoys, young people have clearly conveyed the message that they want a resilient country. The Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy and Action Plans covering the 2024–2030 period include sectoral strategies that place children and youth at the center. Based on the survey findings, Climate Envoys prepared a 'Youth Recommendation Report.' This report directly contributed to the preparation of Türkiye’s Second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), ensuring that the perspectives and sensitivities of children and young people are strongly reflected in Türkiye’s climate policies.On behalf of Türkiye and in my personal capacity, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the young participants and UNICEF for this profoundly important work.”
“Türkiye pursues a child-centered climate policy.”
"Türkiye pursues a child-centered climate policy. Our nation has been going through a transformation that brings knowledge together with societal awareness, while also steadfastly upholding its mission to amplify the voices of children and young people in climate diplomacy. Accordingly, Türkiye strongly advocates for the development of child-specific indicators under the Global Goal on Adaptation, for making the risks faced by children measurable, and for integrating these indicators into the policy cycle. Türkiye also continues to serve as the voice of children and young people in other key negotiation tracks, including just transition, climate finance, and the UAE Dialogue.”
Following remarks by representatives of Australia, which is one of the COP31 candidate countries, highlighting the severe impacts of climate change on children and young people in the Pacific region and the importance of this issue in the COP31 process, Director Hasar emphasized Türkiye’s COP31 candidacy. He indicated that, during Türkiye’s potential COP31 presidency, children from all vulnerable regions, from the Amazon to Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Pacific Islands, would be actively included in climate action, underscoring that Türkiye addresses this responsibility from a truly global perspective.