Thousands rally against COP31 as climate talks hit midpoint

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The show of dissent comes as negotiators approach the crunch final week of global climate talks in Antalya. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Climate campaigners march in a rally to mark the opening of the Peoples’ Climate Summit and the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice in Antalya, Turkey, on Nov 14.

ANTALYA, Turkey - Thousands of protesters took to the streets on Nov 14 in the Turkish city hosting COP31 to accuse the climate summit of failing those bearing the brunt of environmental destruction.

The show of dissent comes as negotiators approach the crunch final week of global climate talks in Antalya, with nearly 200 nations scrambling to strike a deal by Nov 20.

The summit is not expected to produce a major breakthrough, frustrating activists demanding tougher curbs on planet-warming fossil fuels and fresh pledges to help poorer countries adapt to climate impacts.

In downtown Antalya, under rainy skies, thousands of protesters dressed in costumes and shouting slogans marched under close police supervision in the largest demonstration since COP31 began on Nov 9.

“We are suffering the consequences of climate injustice, yet our voices are never heard at the COP,” said Halime Saman from the People’s Climate Summit platform, one of the groups behind the rally.

“Turkey is the co-chair of COP31 but still has no roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels. New power stations and coal mines are being opened,” she told AFP.

Yasar Gokoglu, a 78-year-old demonstrator, travelled nearly 600km from Adana in southern Turkey to denounce what he called “a masquerade sponsored by monopolies”.

Police estimated that more than 7,000 people attended the protest, which was organised by environmental groups, trade unions and rights organisations, and proceeded without any major incident.

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