The 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) will take place in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9th to 20th. The event will operate under a mixed governance model, where Turkey will host the summit and the presidency, while Australia will lead the formal negotiations.
This meeting will bring together various stakeholders, such as national delegates, government representatives, scientists, businesses, and civil society, with the aim of debating global climate action. Topics include emission reduction, adaptation to climate effects, and climate finance, at a time when countries are dealing with extreme weather events, resource consumption, and the shift towards low-emission economies.
This year's agenda dedicates specific discussions to topics such as zero waste, energy, and transport, while also focusing on more resilient cities. In preparation for the conference, the SP Architects office is renovating the former EXPO 2016 park in Antalya to host the event, with the intention of keeping the site in use after COP31 concludes.
The thematic subjects of COP31 encompass energy and transport, food and agriculture, climate finance, circular economy, and the preservation of oceans and terrestrial ecosystems. November 11th and 12th will be reserved for the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, a moment when heads of state and government will meet to discuss international cooperation and environmental commitments.
On November 12th, there will be a special focus on resilient cities and the built environment. Topics such as low-climate impact buildings, urban resilience, disaster risk management, local governments, smart cities, natural solutions, mobility, infrastructure, and sustainable waste systems will be addressed. These debates will occur within the context of the environmental impact of the construction sector, covering emissions related to building operation and the manufacturing of construction materials.
The chosen venue for COP31 utilizes the structure originally developed for EXPO 2016 Antalya, an international horticultural fair. This site, located in the Aksu district of Antalya, featured landscaped areas, exhibition facilities, and buildings focused on agriculture and biodiversity. SP Architects is making adaptations to this existing site through a mix of renovations and new structures, both permanent and temporary.
The conference space will be divided into two zones with distinct purposes. The Blue Zone, managed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), will be the venue for formal negotiations and meetings with accredited participants. The Green Zone will be dedicated to public events, exhibitions, and debates. Uniting these two areas in the same location requires careful planning of circulation flows, security perimeters, and shared facilities.
According to SP Architects, the design team has led the development from the conceptual phase to construction over the past year. This work was carried out from an office located on the site itself and in collaboration with the Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the UNFCCC, and other stakeholders.
The project integrates modular and recyclable construction elements, along with measures focused on environmental control and operational efficiency. There are plans for the space to continue hosting fairs, shows, and other events after COP31, in coordination with the metropolitan and district administrations of Antalya. This planned continuity expands the utility of the site beyond the international conference, relying on the infrastructure created for a previous large-scale event.
Past COP editions have highlighted both the progress in international climate negotiations and the obstacles in turning promises into practical actions. Following the climate finance goal set at COP29 in Baku and the advances of COP30 regarding adaptation finance and just transition in Belém, COP31 will take place in a scenario of continuous discussions on emission reduction and climate finance. Under the motto 'From Dialogue to Consensus, From Consensus to Action,' the Antalya conference seeks to reinforce the implementation of current climate agreements, including those related to sustainable development and urban resilience.