Türkiye's Economy Targets Zero Carbon Emissions

Turkey's Economy and the Zero-Carbon Target EGİAD - Ege Young Businesspersons Association, which organized the Green Transformation in Industry Seminar to discuss how Turkey's economy should proceed to reach the "Zero Carbon" target in combating climate change, opened for discussion the topics of "Green Transformation in Industry," "EU Green Deal," "Carbon Footprint: Crises and Opportunities," and "Carbon Markets: Carbon Trading for Our Companies and the Relationship with Sustainability" in Turkey's decarbonization roadmap process. EGİAD at the Association Headquarters, the event was attended by Prof. Dr. Nuri Azbar, Faculty Member of EGE University Engineering Faculty Bioengineering Department, BASİFED Science Member, BASİFED Green Environment Commission Chair, EBSO Science Member, ENSIA Science Member, and Dr. Tolga Uysal, Managing Partner of Deriva Consulting and Training, as speakers. Prof. Dr. Nuri Azbar's presentation titled Green Transformation in Industry | EU Green Deal | Carbon Footprint: Crises and Opportunities was followed by Dr. Tolga Uysal's, Training Managing Partner, presentation on Carbon Markets | Carbon Trading for Our Companies and the Relationship with Sustainability.

We Are Approaching an Irreversible Point in the Climate Crisis

EGİAD Chairman Alp Avni Yelkenbiçer, who delivered the opening remarks of the meeting, noted that concrete steps on global warming need to be taken with the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, emphasizing that progress on the net zero target by 2050 is essential to reach an average temperature increase limit of 1.5 degrees, stating: "A report published in recent months by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that if serious measures are not taken, we are approaching an irreversible point in the climate crisis. More than 3 billion people worldwide live in extremely vulnerable conditions against climate change. We are facing diminishing food and water security and loss of livelihoods. If necessary measures are not taken and investments are not made, by the end of this century we will collectively face the risk that the warming limited to 1.5 degrees will reach a warming level of 3°C," he said.

Damage on a Global Scale

Reminding that these serious environmental hazards also have economic and social consequences, Yelkenbiçer said: "This situation is not felt only within the borders of a particular country, but at a global level. This situation affects international supply chains, markets, the financial sector, trade, and the general welfare of society. These consequences lead to major economic losses worldwide, and these losses tend to increase. To prevent these environmental, social and economic consequences, first we need to review our production and consumption habits. In this regard, the green transformation process is both a necessity and an advantage. It is important that we adopt global developments such as the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal that we advocate from this perspective. This green transformation process, which affects all value chains, plays a vital role in environmental protection and achieving the 2053 Net Zero Emissions target. Adapting to the green transformation process is also important for Turkey to become a strong element in sustainability-focused international supply chains and to maintain its competitive capacity. In this context, we advocate that Turkey's economic model should be built on sustainable development principles," he said.

Carbon Footprint Is Not a Trendy Concept, It Is a Reality

Drawing attention to the fact that carbon footprint is not a trendy concept but a reality, Yelkenbiçer said: "Over years of rapid industrialization, the substantial increase in greenhouse gas emissions and the fact that carbon dioxide has the highest share among these gases has demonstrated that carbon footprint is not a trendy concept but a reality. Carbon strategies to be implemented reduce companies' carbon emissions while reducing energy consumption which is increasingly costly and difficult to source. In the medium and long term, as costs decrease, developing environment-conscious strategies also provides positive contributions to companies' brand value and sales. Carbon trading, especially on the subject of reducing carbon emissions—a topic requiring global coordination to prevent global warming—provides a balance between national and international policies. We face a challenging road ahead to combat the climate crisis and achieve our country's 2053 Net Zero Emissions target. The way to overcome these challenges, find solutions, and turn this process into an opportunity for a more livable world lies through knowledge, awareness, and action," he said. Prof. Dr. Nuri Azbar, on the other hand, noted that carbon capture and destruction technologies need to be deployed very rapidly in all areas, and otherwise humanity will lose this war with nature. Stating that the Green Deal is a 40-year process, Azbar said: "The Green Deal is a critical point. We have always had negative results regarding the climate crisis. With the Paris Climate Agreement we recovered somewhat. Europe at least, as my own continent, said I am taking a step. Even if the EU is 100 percent successful, its global impact unfortunately does not exceed 7 percent. We currently have very serious commitments we have signed. At this point, we have two turning points ahead: 2030 and 2050. In 2030, you will reduce by 55 percent. In 2050, you will zero it out. That is not enough, we also have to clean up what has been done. We are like a truck with failed brakes. If we cannot brake halfway by 2030, we are at a critical point. We need to brake very hard and fast. Europe is working to create a serious green finance fund to save both the environment and manufacturers," he said. Expressing the need for our understanding in traditional management to change rapidly, Azbar said: "Manufacturers who conduct production with environmental health at the center will achieve results. I think manufacturers operating like this active group here will carry this process forward. In your offices, you now definitely need green offices on sustainability. And these should be done genuinely, not just in appearance. In production, now not just quality, but all criteria related to the environment will be examined. From raw material intensity to energy intensity to carbon footprint and all potential damage you cause to the environment will be examined. It involves detailed work down to converting organized industrial zones into green organized industrial zones," he said. Dr. Tolga Uysal, in his financial assessment, referred to price increases on a dollar basis. Noting that he has been working in this field since 2008, Uysal made a presentation on carbon pricing, noting that large companies are beginning to take action on sustainability, emphasizing that carbon has now become a financial instrument that is bought and sold.