TÜBİTAK Sets "Net-Zero Emissions by 2053" Target

TÜBİTAK intensifies work towards "zero emissions by 2053" target TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal: "We have prepared a Guidance Document on Priority R&D and Innovation Topics within the Framework of Alignment with the European Green Deal in the fight against climate change and environmental problems." "We plan to channel more support to low carbon emission projects and introduce a requirement for carbon emission reduction projections in relevant projects." "Through supported projects, we aim to achieve the green transformation of Turkey's economy and industry, establish sustainable growth, and maintain and strengthen the competitiveness of our country's exports." The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) has focused its efforts on achieving the "zero emissions by 2053" target established to fulfil obligations arising from the Paris Climate Agreement, which was approved by the Grand National Assembly. TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal told the AA correspondent that they were among the earliest institutions to take action in supporting the fight against climate change and environmental problems in priority R&D and innovation topics within the scope of the target. Noting that work was accelerated at the beginning of the year, Mandal stated: "In the fight against climate change and environmental problems, we have prepared a Guidance Document on Priority R&D and Innovation Topics within the Framework of Alignment with the European Green Deal and immediately proceeded to implementation, providing additional points for projects submitted in the first period of 2021 under the ARDEB 1001 Programme from our research support programmes that are directly related to 'Priority R&D and Innovation Topics within the Scope of Alignment with the Green Deal.'" Emphasizing that climate change and environmental problems are among major global challenges, Mandal said: "It is no longer sufficient for institutions to only perform their own duties. We need to move to a model of collaborative work and use common infrastructure and human resources." Noting that they had initiated "Green Growth Technology Roadmap (TYH)" work under the coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, Mandal stated that preparations were ongoing for identifying necessary technologies to align with the European Green Deal and increase green production in industry, supporting R&D efforts to develop identified technologies, and conducting work on technology dissemination and transfer. Stating that they have included "Effects of Climate Change" as a title among the R&D and innovation topics to be supported under the new "Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem Call" to be launched, Mandal said: "In this way, we will also support artificial intelligence solutions to be developed for predicting the effects of climate change and taking measures against them." Pointing out that as TÜBİTAK they have directed R&D and innovation support in a manner focused on areas of critical importance in terms of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, Mandal stated: "We attach importance to the development of domestic and national technologies to prevent possible concerning repercussions of climate change."

"We aim for competitions to be environmentally friendly"

Explaining their plans to channel more support to low carbon emission projects, Mandal noted: "We also plan to introduce a requirement for carbon emission reduction projections in projects. Additionally, we provide support through joint calls we have opened for priority R&D and innovation topics identified through collaboration between TÜBİTAK and TAGEM in agriculture and food. These topics include digital technologies in agriculture and food, soil and plant nutrition, garden and field crops, food processing and production technologies, animal feed, breeding and health, plant health, aquaculture, agricultural economics and policy research." Mandal announced that in this year's Aviation, Space and Technology Festival TEKNOFEST, they are serving as organiser or organising partner for 12 out of 36 competitions, have taken important steps particularly regarding environmental sensitivity, and aim for competitions to have especially environmentally friendly themes and produce relevant innovative solutions.

"Cooperation between government, universities and industry is essential"

Drawing attention to the need for government, universities and industry to work together to achieve the "zero emissions by 2053" target, Mandal continued: "In this direction, we have activated our platform and network support based on large-scale and joint success models. Within the scope of new TÜBİTAK calls for High Technology Platforms and Industrial Innovation Networks (SAYEM), we are also directing our support towards areas aligned with the European Green Deal, which directly matches the Sustainable Development Goals in line with the 2053 zero emissions target. In this context, we have opened the TÜBİTAK-1004 High Technology Platforms call and will open the TÜBİTAK-SAYEM call in the near future. Within the scope of the platform support in question, there are currently platform projects focusing on green technologies. For example, the 'Advanced Materials High Technology Platform' where advanced material technologies are being developed to provide clean production opportunities and the 'Turkey Photovoltaic Technologies Platform' where high efficiency and cost-effective solar cell technologies, including next-generation solar energy technologies, are being developed can be cited." Mandal emphasised that in the coming period, they will also observe the priority of alignment with the European Green Deal within the scope of Custom-Ordered R&D Project Calls that serve to meet the technology-based needs of resident capital companies in Turkey by SMEs that develop technology in the country themselves.

"One-third of supported projects related to Green Deal"

TÜBİTAK President Mandal recalled that they had prioritised support in 2021 for topics grouped under the headings of "clean and circular economy", "clean, accessible and secure energy supply", "green and sustainable agriculture" and "sustainable smart transport" in the "Guidance Document on Priority R&D and Innovation Topics within the Framework of Alignment with the European Green Deal". Noting that one-third of all academically-based projects supported in the first half of the year focused on the specified topics, Mandal said: "We manage the same process in industry-oriented projects as well. Through supported projects, we aim to achieve the green transformation of Turkey's economy and industry, establish sustainable growth, and maintain and strengthen the competitiveness of our country's exports." Emphasising that they also effectively use international R&D and innovation collaboration mechanisms within the scope of alignment with the Green Deal, Mandal shared the following information: "In one of the new projects led by Turkish coordinators among the projects supported under Horizon 2020, battery systems are being developed that are 20 percent lighter, have 25 percent shorter charging times and higher lifecycle performance. In other projects, with the contribution of nanotechnology and advanced materials, renewable energy technologies, industrial symbiosis opportunities, circular water and resource use solutions, closed-loop systems for wastewater treatment and new solutions for optimising energy use in industry are being produced. In addition, our ecosystem actors in Horizon 2020 participated in large-scale projects for sustainable cities." Expressing that they contribute to Turkey's green growth through R&D projects developed within the scope of TÜBİTAK Central and Institutes that will open the way for the country, Mandal added that numerous studies are being conducted such as water efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, green municipality management, clean and renewable energy technologies, smart agriculture, increased energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.