AGP Executive Report

COP31: Türkiye faces pressure to turn climate pledges into action as the UN urges stronger commitments and Pacific leaders call for climate finance and a voice in global decisions. Sea turtles are also emerging as a warning of climate stress on regional ecosystems. War and Environment: Iran’s president condemned the environmental damage caused by regional conflict, while attacks around the Gulf raise wider concerns about the vulnerability of energy and marine systems. Water Stress: More than half of Iran’s dam capacity remains empty despite rainfall forecasts, underscoring persistent water risks. In Kuwait, farmers say treated wastewater could help sustain agriculture in dry northern areas. Cleaner Transport: Islamabad and Rawalpindi are seeing more electric bikes, scooters and cars as residents seek lower running costs and cleaner alternatives to fuel-powered vehicles.

Biodiversity: Leaders meeting in Yerevan urged faster action and more funding ahead of COP17, which begins Monday. Red Sea: Saudi Arabia has introduced licensing, safety and environmental standards for recreational boat charters, aiming to protect visitors and marine ecosystems. Water and weather: Iran’s dams remain 55% empty despite forecasts of El Niño rains, while a dust storm toppled a major power-line tower near Baghdad. Cyprus expects a wetter start to winter, and Türkiye’s sea turtles are drawing attention to climate risks ahead of COP31. War’s environmental toll: At the Yerevan summit, Iran’s president warned pollution crosses borders; Lebanon’s environment minister cited more than $500 million in environmental damage from the 2023–24 Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Climate diplomacy: IPCC talks ended without agreement on when to publish the next major global warming assessment.

Climate Diplomacy: Global climate talks ended without agreement on the timing of a major science review, while Türkiye faces scrutiny over restrictions on environmental defenders as it prepares to host COP31. War’s Environmental Toll: Iran’s president called the destruction caused by regional conflict “ecocide” and urged global action; reports also warn that 55% of Iran’s dam capacity remains empty despite an El Niño rain forecast. Air and Water: Baghdad reported improving air quality as Iraq expands monitoring, though pollution remains a concern. New research is shedding light on harmful algal blooms along Oman’s coast, where forecasters say El Niño could bring more rain. Nature and Energy: Egypt’s climate-resilient corals are beginning to feel the heat, while Türkiye says renewable energy is helping cut fuel costs and strengthen energy security.

Water Cooperation: Czech officials are seeking agreements with Iraq on water management, air quality and climate change, including support for irrigation and water-harvesting projects. War’s Environmental Toll: Iran’s president called regional conflict “ecocide,” as tanker attacks near Saudi Arabia and in the Strait of Hormuz raise fresh concerns about damage to Gulf waters; no impact was reported from one Saudi-area strike. COP31 Pressure: Türkiye is preparing local climate projects for the November summit, while rights groups say its treatment of environmental defenders undermines its climate ambitions. Water and Climate Risks: More than half of Iran’s dam capacity remains empty despite rainfall forecasts, and severe Istanbul floods have renewed scrutiny of urban planning. Global Climate Talks: The IPCC meeting ended without agreement on when to publish its next major global warming assessment.

Climate talks: The IPCC’s latest meeting ended without agreement on when to publish its next major climate assessment, delaying decisions that countries need for climate planning. Floods: Istanbul is racing to recover after deadly flooding left people missing, with more heavy rain forecast. Water security: Iran says 55% of its dam capacity remains empty despite forecasts of El Niño rains, underscoring pressure on the country’s water supplies. War’s environmental toll: Iran’s president says conflict is destroying ecosystems, while Tehran and Yerevan have agreed to discuss shared concerns including falling Caspian Sea levels, pollution and biodiversity threats. COP31: As Türkiye prepares to host the climate summit, rights groups say authorities are curbing environmental defenders; the government says it wants an inclusive process.

COP17 and COP31: Türkiye’s agriculture minister thanked Armenia during a COP17 visit in Yerevan and urged concrete action for nature, ahead of COP31 in Antalya next month. Extreme Weather: Istanbul’s worst floods in 80 years killed four people, underscoring the risks facing cities as extreme rainfall intensifies. Climate and Nature: Mediterranean warming is shifting loggerhead turtle nesting patterns and skewing hatchling sex ratios, making the species a climate warning ahead of COP31. Environmental Accountability: Türkiye faces scrutiny over restrictions on environmental defenders and the choice of mining and development firms as COP31 partners. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also called for global action over war-related environmental damage.

War’s Environmental Toll: Reports say Iranian strikes deliberately hit water and power infrastructure in the Persian Gulf, while Iran warns that US-Israeli attacks on its energy facilities risk serious environmental damage. Iraq’s Cleanup: Iraq says all identified radioactive-contamination sites are under control, with hazardous materials still to be removed; funding shortages are hampering the work. Water and Food Security: At the World Food Forum, the FAO urged more efficient water use and fairer allocation, warning that droughts and floods are intensifying pressure on farms and communities. COP31 Preparations: Türkiye is promoting local climate projects ahead of the November summit, even as its handling of anti-mining protesters draws scrutiny.

Conflict and Critical Infrastructure: Iran’s strikes on Persian Gulf water and power facilities were deliberate, Reuters reported, underscoring the environmental and humanitarian risks of attacks on essential services. COP31 Preparations: Türkiye is preparing local climate-action projects ahead of November’s summit, while reports of pressure on environmental defenders raise questions about civic space. Renewable Energy Skills: Turkmenistan held training on integrating renewables, including geothermal, biomass and hydrogen, with German university and EU-backed support. Regional Cooperation: Armenia and Egypt discussed expanding work on waste sorting, recycling, circular economy and renewable energy as officials gathered in Yerevan for COP17.

COP31 Preparations: Türkiye’s environment minister held trilateral talks ahead of November’s climate summit, while rights groups say authorities are detaining anti-mining protesters and restricting environmental defenders. War’s Environmental Toll: Iran says strikes on energy facilities risk serious pollution; Tehran also claims attacks on the Asaluyeh fuel hub caused 1.5 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions. Gaza’s destruction is also being framed as an environmental catastrophe. Water and Climate Stress: Five Caspian states agreed to establish a joint mechanism to address the shrinking sea. Iraq’s waterways face a separate crisis, with toxic sewage overwhelming declining rivers. Türkiye has developed three drought-tolerant wheat varieties. Energy Transition: A power-sector executive says renewables are now cheaper than gas in Saudi Arabia. Qatar, marking Arab Environment Day, reiterated its commitment to balancing development with environmental protection and resource management.

Regional Energy: Saudi Arabia signed energy cooperation deals with Kuwait, Qatar and Egypt spanning electricity, renewables, storage, oil and gas, as Gulf states deepen ties amid supply disruptions. Food and Water Security: A UN official warned that failure to secure fertilizer shipments through the Strait of Hormuz within weeks could threaten planting seasons and trigger food insecurity. Climate Outlook: A new global climate report says warming is accelerating, with seven of 16 monitored planetary indicators at record extremes and the 2°C threshold potentially approaching before 2050. COP31: With the UN climate summit set for Türkiye next month, pressure is growing to turn pledges into action; rights groups say Turkish authorities have detained or investigated anti-mining protesters ahead of the meeting. Environmental Risks of War: Iran’s foreign minister warned that attacks on oil facilities pose serious environmental dangers, adding to concerns over damage to energy infrastructure and disruption across the region. Caspian Sea: Five littoral countries agreed to establish a joint mechanism to address the sea’s sharp decline, which poses growing environmental and economic risks.

War’s Environmental Toll: Iran says strikes on southern energy facilities have caused serious pollution and environmental hazards, warning of further risks to oil infrastructure. Tehran also puts emissions from attacks on the Asaluyeh fuel hub at 1.5 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent; that figure is an Iranian estimate. COP31 Pressure: Türkiye is preparing to host the UN climate summit, with calls to turn pledges into action and provide more climate finance. The preparations face criticism over restrictions on environmental defenders, while Pacific leaders push for their climate concerns to shape the agenda. Energy Transition: A Saudi power executive says renewables are now cheaper than gas in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia is also signing regional energy deals, including cooperation with Kuwait and Qatar, while a Kuwait-Saudi agreement covers electricity and renewables. Water and Nature: Caspian Sea states have agreed on a joint mechanism to address falling water levels. Elsewhere, reports highlight toxic sewage overwhelming Iraq’s waterways and agricultural pollution suffocating Türkiye’s largest lagoon.

COP31: With Türkiye preparing to host November’s climate summit, the EU is pressing for stronger climate and biodiversity action, while the conference president says countries must move from pledges to delivery. War’s Environmental Toll: Iran says strikes on energy facilities have caused pollution and serious environmental hazards, adding to concerns about damage from attacks on oil infrastructure. Water and Ecosystems: A regional agreement aims to address the Caspian Sea’s falling water levels; meanwhile, sewage is overwhelming Iraq’s waterways and agricultural pollution is suffocating Türkiye’s largest lagoon. A new study also finds winter Shamal winds are reshaping Gulf waters. Clean Energy: Türkiye’s first offshore wind project could begin operating as early as 2030, while Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have agreed to cooperate on electricity and renewables.

War’s Environmental Toll: Iran says strikes on southern energy facilities have caused major pollution and serious environmental risks, adding lasting damage to the conflict’s human and economic costs. Caspian Sea: Leaders from the five littoral states agreed to establish a joint mechanism to address the sea’s shrinking levels and wider environmental problems. Polluted Waterways: Sewage is overwhelming Iraq’s declining rivers, while Türkiye’s largest lagoon is reportedly suffocating under agricultural pollution. Climate Action: With Türkiye preparing to host COP31, the EU is pushing for a stronger global climate deal that turns pledges into emissions cuts.

War’s Environmental Toll: Iranian officials warn that strikes on southern energy facilities have caused major pollution and serious environmental hazards; one Iranian estimate puts emissions from attacks on the Asaluyeh fuel hub at 1.5 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. Energy Shock: Disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz have trapped much of Qatar and the UAE’s LNG exports, pushing European gas prices sharply higher and leaving storage low ahead of winter. COP31: Türkiye and Australia are pressing for stronger climate action ahead of November’s summit, while its host has urged wealthy countries to spend far more on climate than defence. Water Under Pressure: Iraq’s waterways face mounting sewage pollution, while Türkiye’s largest lagoon is struggling with agricultural contamination. Caspian Sea: Regional leaders agreed to establish a joint mechanism to address the sea’s falling water levels and related environmental risks.

War’s Environmental Toll: Iran’s foreign minister warned that strikes on oil facilities risk contaminating soil and water and causing pollution that could last for decades. Separately, a drone strike hit a tanker off Oman; authorities said the damage and possible environmental impact were unclear. Iraq’s Water Crisis: Nearly six million cubic metres of wastewater reportedly enter the Tigris and Euphrates each day, compounding drought and pollution in rivers used for drinking water and irrigation. Regional Seas: Caspian leaders agreed to create a joint mechanism to address the sea’s environmental problems as water levels decline. Climate and Health: A global survey found healthcare workers increasingly see extreme heat harming pregnant women and babies, adding urgency to calls for climate action ahead of COP31 in Türkiye. Oman’s Coast: New research is shedding light on harmful algal blooms along the country’s northern shore.

War’s Environmental Toll: Iran says US-Israeli strikes on oil and energy facilities created serious pollution risks; its environment chief put emissions from attacks on the Asaluyeh fuel hub at 1.5 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. A tanker struck off the UAE coast caught fire, with environmental damage still unknown. Food and Climate Risks: Global food prices rose 1.5% in September to their highest level since November 2022, as weather shocks and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz and Black Sea added pressure on import-dependent countries. COP31: Türkiye’s climate champion says November’s Antalya summit should focus on putting existing pledges into action, with measurable results rather than new promises. Regional Water Security: Caspian Sea countries agreed to create a joint mechanism to address the sea’s decline, while Egypt and ICARDA are seeking to expand solar irrigation and desalination projects. Disaster Readiness: Kuwait Red Crescent urged stronger planning, training and public awareness to help communities withstand disasters.