Minister Kurum Assesses Fight Against Climate Change

Minister Kurum evaluated climate change efforts to AA: "(Paris Agreement) With the USD 3.157 billion financing provided to Turkey, we will conduct our fight against climate change more effectively." "By considering this financing as a leverage effect, we will manage projects roughly 4-5 times larger in this framework. We will use this resource within 3 years for a sustainable economy, green development and green production. When we reach 2053, we will be part of a process where we have achieved net zero emissions and become a carbon-neutral country" GLASGOW (AA) - HASAN AY - Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum stated that Turkey has been provided USD 3.157 billion in resources under the Paris Agreement, saying "We will use this resource within 3 years for a sustainable economy, green development and green production." Kurum opened the Turkey pavilion prepared at the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held at the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow, Scotland. Kurum evaluated the conference agenda and Turkey's climate change efforts to an AA correspondent.

Climate change is a security issue

Stating that they do not view the climate issue solely as an environmental problem, Kurum said, "Climate change is a matter related to almost every issue, including water, food and energy security, tourism, food production and transportation. In this respect, it is both a development and a security issue. In the process so far, our world has warmed by 1.2 degrees Celsius. In order to keep this temperature at 1.5 degrees Celsius, all countries in the world have entered into a struggle. As Turkey, we are one of the most important countries in this struggle." Noting that many processes such as climate change-related projects and information-technology transfer will be discussed at the 26th Conference of the Parties lasting until 13 November, Minister Kurum said, "As Turkey, we are participating strongly with our relevant institutions in the conference. We want to make the 13-day period as productive as possible for our country. The decisions taken here, the steps to be taken within the framework of the Paris Agreement, the statements of countries are important. There are measures that need to be taken due to climate migration. This will be a process where all of these will be discussed and new decisions will be deliberated here."

We have entered the green development era

Recalling that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced to the entire world at the 76th United Nations General Assembly that Turkey would be party to the Paris Agreement and would reach its net zero emissions target in 2053, Kurum stated: "Our country has now entered the green development era that the entire world is in. In this framework, we are working to be a country that is affected but rather affects, manages and leads in this process. God willing, by adding many new steps to those we have taken so far, we will firmly continue our fight against climate change." Noting some issues in accessing climate finance within the framework of the Paris Agreement, Kurum said, "There was an injustice against our country within the framework of the Paris Agreement. To remedy this injustice, our President conducted effective negotiations with many country leaders, we conducted these negotiations with our counterparts. We stated that other countries need to take steps to remedy the injustice done to our country. Thanks to these efforts, we have achieved significant gains."

USD 3.157 billion financing for green development

Minister Kurum recalled that an agreement was reached with the World Bank, German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the United Nations and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). "With the USD 3.157 billion financing provided to Turkey, we will conduct our fight against climate change more effectively," Kurum said, providing the following information: "By considering this financing as a leverage effect, we will perhaps manage projects 4-5 times larger in this framework. We will use this resource within 3 years for a sustainable economy, green development and green production. God willing, when we reach 2053, we will be part of a process where we have achieved net zero emissions and become a carbon-neutral country."

To be used in energy, agriculture, transport and environment projects

Kurum emphasized that the USD 3.157 billion financing will be used in all sectors supporting green development, primarily energy, agriculture, transport, environment and urbanization. Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Kurum continued as follows: "Renewable energy, hydroelectric development and rehabilitation, energy efficiency, support for low-carbon production, green organized industrial zones, SMEs' digitalization efforts, smart agriculture, biogas energy production, precision agriculture with renewable energy and reduction of food waste, transition from road transport to rail transportation, public transport in cities, e-vehicles, water resources management, flood control projects, zero waste initiatives, green and 'net zero' buildings - we will use this financing in the fight against climate change in many areas concerning our sectors. Support will be provided to both the private sector and public sector projects at this point. With this credit and leveraging effect, we will manage a much larger process." Stating that they will create a strategic plan on climate change, Kurum said, "Within the framework of this plan, we are launching a process in line with our country's net zero emissions target for 2053 that outlines what needs to be done year by year and how these will be monitored. This will be our roadmap. With this roadmap, we will take very important steps."

Opened the Turkey pavilion

At the opening of the pavilion where Turkey's efforts in the fight against climate change are showcased at the 26th Conference of the Parties, Minister Kurum said, "We have come to represent our country in the strongest way at the COP26 meeting. All our relevant ministries, civil society organizations, universities and private sector will hold conferences here." At the section where personal climate change targets are marked with strings, Kurum was the first to participate in the activity, marking the targets one by one. Visitors to the Turkey pavilion will be able to specify the actions they will take in fighting climate change through the strings on the board.