Süt-D Recognized Companies Reducing Their Carbon Footprint as "Carbon-Frugal" Heroes

19 organizations supporting climate change mitigation by reducing their carbon footprint have been recognized as Low Carbon Heroes by the Sustainable Production and Consumption Association. Organizations serving as examples in the fight against climate change through carbon emission reduction were awarded Low Carbon Hero status by the Sustainable Production and Consumption Association (SÜT-D) at the 4th Istanbul Carbon Summit, hosted by Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ) with support from the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA). In the competition where 42 carbon emission reduction projects were candidates, 19 organizations were deemed worthy of the award by SÜT-D. The 2017 Low Carbon Heroes awards were presented by Dr. Oğuz Can, Director General of Renewable Energy at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.

Carbon-Frugal Organizations are Important for a Climate-Resilient World

Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoğlu, faculty member at İTÜ and chair of SÜT-D, stated: "Our beautiful world expects a contribution from us to combat climate change. Carbon-frugal organizations are important for a climate-resilient world. Our industry must advance in a low-carbon economy. With this award, which we are presenting for the third time this year, we have recognized carbon-frugal organizations that think not only of today but also of tomorrow, and advance with sustainability management strategies." Projects implementing energy efficiency in energy companies and industry stood out in applications. Prof. Karaosmanoğlu, noting that the Low Carbon Heroes from the energy, chemistry and food sectors as well as local administrations, through their successful technical applications and their education and awareness-raising efforts on carbon reduction, have become stakeholders in SÜT-D's mission to foster a sustainability-conscious culture, stated: "We are proud of the 2017 Low Carbon Heroes of SÜT-D."

Companies and Municipalities Competed to Become Low Carbon Heroes

Akiş Grup with the İncesu Wind Power Plant and Local Impact Project, Bereket Enerji with the Arnaz Wind Power Plant, Gama Enerji with the LAMAS III-IV Hydroelectric Power Plant Carbon Trading and Social Responsibility Project became low carbon heroes, while Enervis in the textile sector with wastewater heat recovery, EY Türkiye stating "First We Reduce Our Carbon Footprint," Ege Tarımsal Enerji with green charcoal production from peanut shells, Samsun Avdan contributing to carbon management awareness through the Transformation Museum, and Kolza Geri Kazanım with the "Collect Vegetable Waste Oils, Reduce Carbon" project were declared low carbon heroes. Temiz Enerji Vakfı (TEMEV) became a low carbon hero with results from the "Green Economy in Villages Project." Zorlu Enerji became a Low Carbon Hero through the "Our Energy for Children Project" reaching 8,000 primary school students with educational kits, books, games, and theater, and preparing the "Carbon Footprint with Zorlu" book. Shell Türkiye received the Low Carbon Hero award for a project supporting disabled education through waste heat recovery and green financing, and Vestel Beyaz Eşya for reducing carbon footprint through pressure optimization in dye shop pumps to achieve energy efficiency. Bursa Büyükşehir Belediyesi received recognition for the "Bursa Light Rail System Phase II Project" with greenhouse gas reduction, Kartal Belediyesi for the "Tree Distribution Due to Water Project," and İETT for the "Science Line Project." Halkbank was deemed worthy of the award with the "Let Our Energy Remain for the Future" project.

Sütaş with energy recovery from waste from farm to table application, BD Türkiye with greenhouse gas emission reduction in life sciences and medical technology operations and across the value chain and climate resilience enhancement application became a low carbon hero.

Organik Kimya, which reduced its carbon footprint with Turkey's first wastewater treatment sludge dewatering project using heated press technology, was declared a low carbon hero. One NGO was recognized for its success in waste management. SÜT-D this year selected a civil society organization as a Low Carbon Hero based on its own monitoring and evaluation. Tüm Atık ve Çevre Yönetimi Derneği (TAYÇED) was selected as a Low Carbon Hero for being a pioneer and advocate in waste management and carbon reduction.