Health Minister Memişoğlu Announces Green Hospital Concept at COP31
At the COP31 summit held in Antalya, Minister of Health Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu unveiled the 2026-2030 Climate Change and Health Action Plan. The Minister introduced the Antalya Initiative for Resilient Health Systems, which aims to foster international cooperation.
Minister of Health Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu announced the new action plan prepared against the health impacts of climate change on November 9, 2026, within the scope of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Antalya.
Minister Memişoğlu stated that the '2026-2030 Climate Change and Health Action Plan,' prepared as a continuation of the 2015 program, will prioritize the monitoring of drinking water, protective measures against extreme heat, and the integration of air quality data with digital infrastructure. The Ministry continues its monitoring efforts by taking approximately 175,000 samples from drinking and utility water annually.
During the meeting, it was emphasized that the 'Green Hospital' concept, based on energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy, will be expanded. It was stated that Turkey has renovated insulation, heating, and cooling systems in 809 public health facilities to date.
Memişoğlu proposed the 'Antalya Initiative for Resilient Health Systems' (AIR) to encourage the sharing of knowledge and experience among countries. The Minister expressed that human health must be at the center of climate policies and that international solidarity against climate crises is critical.