Call from SÜT-D: We Must Accelerate the Fight Against Climate Change with Clean Energy

The Sustainable Production and Consumption Association called for accelerating clean energy momentum in its International Clean Energy Day statement, drawing attention to the critical role of climate change action in ensuring a just and inclusive transition for energy transformation.

On 26 January, International Clean Energy Day, a day for raising awareness and calling for action on a just and inclusive transition to clean energy, Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ) Faculty Member and Sustainable Production and Consumption Association (SÜT-D) Chairman Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoğlu called for accelerating clean energy momentum by using renewable energy sources, implementing energy efficiency practices and deploying the most advanced clean energy technologies currently available in the fight against climate change, leaving no one behind for clean energy in the interest of people and the planet.

Climate-Friendly, Accessible and Clean Energy
In 2015, the United Nations set out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a call to "Take Action" to end extreme poverty; combat inequality and injustice; and address climate change by 2030. Yet global progress remains low on this path. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 13: Climate Action are critical today. According to UN data, while 750 million people lack access to energy, cooking-related pollutant emissions cause 3.2 million premature deaths annually, fossil fuel air pollution causes 6 million deaths, and fossil fuel combustion accounts for more than 75 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, although renewable energy capacity investments in developing countries have grown annually from 155 watts per capita to 341 watts per capita, it is insufficient. While every dollar invested in renewable energy creates three times more jobs than fossil fuel investments, and incremental improvements are being made, reaching SDG 7's goal of "providing access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all" is not possible. SÜT-D Chairman Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoğlu, noting that investments need to reach 4 trillion dollars annually by 2030, said that humans and the planet have the right to access climate-friendly clean energy.

Energy for Our Country's 2053 Net Zero Emissions Target
Prof. Karaosmanoğlu stated: "According to Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources data as of the end of November 2025, our installed capacity comprises 26.5 per cent hydroelectric energy, 19.7 per cent natural gas, 18 per cent coal, 11.9 per cent wind, 20.3 per cent solar, 1.4 per cent geothermal and 2.1 per cent other sources. With solar and wind accounting for one-third of our capacity, we expect the momentum we have gained for domestic clean energy to accelerate four-fold by 2035. According to the latest Turkish Statistical Institute data, in 2023, energy caused 73.8 per cent of emissions in our country, agriculture 12.0 per cent, industrial processes and product use 11.0 per cent, and waste 2.3 per cent, while energy's share in total carbon dioxide emissions was 87.4 per cent." He emphasized the necessity of optimal energy management for our country's climate change mitigation efforts.

Best Energy Management Means Best Climate Management
Turkey's Long-Term Climate Strategy makes clear the indisputable necessity of using renewable energy sources, implementing energy efficiency practices and deploying the most advanced clean energy technologies currently available. With the support of İTÜ, which is advancing with the "Carbon Neutral İTÜ by 2048" goal through sustainability-focused education, research and project capacity, the Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Ministry will host the 11th Istanbul Carbon Summit on 4-5 May 2026 under the theme "Decarbonization, Carbon Markets and Climate Technologies," where energy will be on the agenda. Dr. Karaosmanoğlu said that ahead of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31; 9-20 November 2026), which we are hosting, our summit will be the first and only multi-stakeholder platform on the subject, with the National Emissions Trading System and Carbon Markets as priority topics, SDG 7 and SDG 13 to be examined, and applications are underway for the SÜT-D Low Carbon Champion Award.

Clean Energy Locomotive
Dr. Karaosmanoğlu presented the International Clean Energy Day celebration, calling for joining our beautiful country with its greenery, blue resources, high renewable energy potential, and climate-friendly clean energy investments to accelerate clean energy momentum in our fight against climate change.

Sustainable Production and Consumption Association (SÜT-D): SÜT-D was established in 2013 by representatives from government, business and academia with the goal of creating strong societal impact on sustainable production and consumption, building knowledge and capacity by working to ensure optimal energy, water and waste management with resource-efficient, best available technologies; combating environmental pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss; and raising awareness of sustainable development with a human and nature-friendly sustainable lifestyle culture. In its activities, SÜT-D works in close cooperation with academia, educational institutions, business, media, government bodies, civil society organizations and local administrations, prioritizing engagement with "Sustainability Management" from social and technical perspectives, providing civil society's green and blue strength for humanity's welfare and comfort today and tomorrow.