Sustainability Discussed at Uludağ Economy Summit

Arçelik Chief Executive Officer Hakan Bulgurlu stated that Turkish exporters would face major problems if Turkey does not sign the Paris Climate Agreement, saying "Turkey's only chance in the coming period is full integration with Europe on environmental issues."

The Uludağ Economy Summit, organized as a hybrid event with the main theme "Are We Ready for the New World?" by Capital, Economist and StartUp magazines under the main sponsorship of Vodafone Business, continues.

Speaking at the "Sustainability" panel held within the scope of the summit, Bulgurlu recalled that Europe is following a very aggressive path to reduce carbon emissions, adding that this effort is important for Turkey, as it is for all countries exporting to Europe from a sustainability perspective. Noting that Europe will mobilize a huge budget for sustainability issues in the post-Covid period, Bulgurlu said, "I compare this to the Industrial Revolution. There will be a transition revolution, just like in the Industrial Revolution. Leading companies here will gain time and advantage, so they will be the winning companies of the future."

Bulgurlu, stating that Turkey and the white goods sector also need to accelerate their preparations for this revolution, spoke as follows:

"I am speaking for the white goods sector. Turkey is the 2nd country in the world in terms of white goods production after China. 75% of total sales in Turkey are made to Europe. If we do not integrate with Europe in the coming period, for example if we do not sign the Paris Climate Agreement, we will face 'Carbon Border Taxes'. Turkey's only chance in the coming period is full integration with Europe on environmental issues. Yes, it requires investment for some industries. We need a more detailed impact analysis. But this is certain: in the medium and long term, Turkey's only chance is full integration with Europe on environmental issues. This is only possible by signing the Paris Climate Agreement as soon as possible. If we do not sign it, not just our sector but all exporters in Turkey are taking a very big risk. If we do sign, we are opening brand new doors for our young startups. I believe we can obtain serious usage rights from the 'Next Generation' funds that will be created by the post-Covid recovery."

"You will see winners and losers"

Reminding that Turkey is an extremely young and dynamic country, Bulgurlu said that Turkey's bright future should not be shut down. Stating that Arçelik is pioneering this issue in Turkey, Bulgurlu said, "(Integration on environmental issues) This is a business model. We are not doing this just for the environment, for the world, but to ensure our business is sustainable on a global scale. That is why integration with Europe is essential. Our sector has moved to a new energy labeling regulation. You will see very quickly who the winners and losers are here. Since we have made serious investment in technology in this area, we are rising to leadership again. That is, we are offering consumers the most energy-efficient products. But we would not have been able to do this if we had not been preparing for 10 years. There is some urgency in these matters, and I wanted to draw attention to this."

"We will continue to provide the tools and resources the business world needs"

Akkök Holding Executive Board Chairman and United Nations Global Compact Turkey Management Board Chairman Ahmet Dördüncü, noting that Global Compact is the world's largest sustainability organization, said that Global Compact Turkey's management board was elected in 2019 and will serve until 2022. Explaining that the organization's work in Turkey focuses on environment, diversity and inclusion, gender equality, sustainable finance and innovation, Dördüncü noted that they are trying to disseminate their work in these areas throughout Turkey. Stating that they will provide support this year so that the business world can set concrete targets on sustainability, Dördüncü said, "This year we will continue to provide the business world with the tools and resources it needs on sustainability. Within this scope, we will begin implementing the Towards 1.5 Degree Target Program that UN Global Compact will launch at global level in April in Turkey. Under the program, we will support companies in setting science-based targets for climate action. We plan to implement the 'Targeting Gender Equality' program for a second time, continuing to support companies on their path to increase the number of women in top management."

"We will provide visibility by positioning them at global events"

Stating that they will encourage "young innovators" to produce both creative and economic solutions to sustainability problems with a program that intersects sustainability and innovation, Dördüncü said they will conduct workshop activities. Stating that as UN Global Compact Turkey they want to make sustainability practices more visible by supporting regional and global cooperation, Dördüncü said, "We will continue to organize online meetings with European and other general networks where companies listen to each other's 'good practices' in sustainable finance. We will provide visibility by positioning good examples from our country at regional and global events."

"Everyone should be able to develop their skills by anticipating future professions"

TAV Airports CEO Sani Şener, noting that just as the virus has mutated, the rules of working life have also mutated, conveyed that according to researchers, 30% of current professions in the world will disappear within a year. Stating that individuals need to prepare for transition to future professions, Şener discussed unmanned aircraft and the future of pilots. Şener spoke as follows: "Unmanned aircraft will become widespread in passenger aircraft too. There is already automatic pilot, but when full automation is implemented, they say piloting will be eliminated. Well, let it be. What will happen to this profession when it disappears? It will come down to the ground. Right now there is approximately a 30-person team operating unmanned aircraft below. So everyone should be able to develop their own craft and skills by, I think, anticipating future jobs and professions. At TAV, we definitely adopt the view that we should always communicate with each other, everywhere, in every situation. Everyone needs to know everything. This is the most important thing we do." Noting that the word Hezarfen means "One of a thousand sciences," Şener stated that Leonardo da Vinci was a "Hezarfen," and noted that the artist studied facial muscles in depth by dissecting facial skin on cadavers before painting the Mona Lisa. Şener said that in the future, for success in working life, particularly students need to deepen their knowledge in many fields, and everyone needs to be a "Hezarfen."   Source