The Summit, held at the ATO Congresium, was opened with video messages from Vice President Fuat Oktay and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum. Attendees included Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank, as well as the President of the Union of Municipalities of Turkey and Mayor of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Fatma Şahin, Mayor of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mansur Yavaş, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) İsmail Gülle, President of the Organized Industrial Zones Supreme Council (OSBÜK) Memiş Kütükcü, President of the Ankara Chamber of Industry Nurettin Özdebir, Chairman of the Board of Directors of OSTİM Orhan Aydın, OSTİM Organized Industrial Zone Regional Manager Adem Arıcı, ambassadors, former heads of state, and numerous other guests.
Kaanay, a company that produces ATV tractors in collaboration with OSTİM Technical University, OSTİM OSB Technical College, and OSTİM Technical University, participated in the Eco Climate Economy and Climate Change Summit/Fair.
300 million lira support for fast charging stations
Speaking at the opening of the summit, Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank stated that they will provide a total of 300 million Turkish Lira in support for the establishment of more than 1,500 high-speed charging stations in all 81 provinces, adding, "We will give all of this as grants to companies that will invest in this field. Thus, we will have equipped Turkey with charging stations within one year."
Varank stated that the awareness-raising phase regarding climate change has been passed, and that those responsible for the process reaching a critical stage are not Turkey and other developing countries, but rather the countries that have been polluting nature and the atmosphere for centuries with their reckless economic growth model.
Varank stated that, at this point, the "bill" is being paid collectively by humanity, and continued as follows:
"This has now become an existential struggle for humanity. If we want to create a livable environment and leave a livable world for future generations, we need to make radical changes in our economic activities. Of course, governments will aim for economic growth and increased prosperity in their development policies, but we need to pay more attention than ever to the sustainability of this growth and its respect for the environment. As Turkey, we will always continue to do our part in this regard. Even if we, as Turkey, become a carbon-neutral country, it is not possible for us to make the world livable if other countries do not take these steps. Therefore, all countries need to take responsibility." he said.
Varank stated that Togg, Türkiye's domestic automobile project, will be one of the most important achievements in the fight against climate change, adding, "Thanks to this project, which we implemented by investing in the right technology at the right time, we will significantly increase our competitiveness in the automotive sector. Togg will also be a pioneer in the green transformation of the sector."
“We are launching a civil movement against climate change”
Baran stated that recent developments, particularly the pandemic and war, have shown that Turkey's economy is strong, and that Turkish entrepreneurs, with their dynamic structure, can easily adapt to change. He added that the world is reshaping itself towards a new social and economic order based on the Paris Climate Agreement and the European Union's Green Deal, saying, "If we achieve the green transformation, we can add another advantage to our existing ones and become the world's logistics and supply center."
Stating that climate change, which poses vital risks, is the most urgent problem of our time because it threatens every aspect of life, Baran said, "We want to leave our grandchildren a world where they can pick and eat fruit directly from the tree, just like our grandparents did."
Expressing his hope that the unity and solidarity formed by all sectors participating in the Summit would create synergy to transform the opportunities offered by the green transformation into a green development initiative, Baran said, “Ankara, which has been the center of many firsts in the past, is setting another precedent today regarding climate change. For the first time, with so many stakeholders and broad consensus, we have launched a civil movement for awareness and transformation against climate change.”
“If we didn’t have this entrepreneurial spirit, we would have witnessed much more difficult times.”
Fatma Şahin, President of the Union of Municipalities of Turkey and Mayor of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, stated in her speech at the Summit, “This year, together with all cities, we have produced such large projects that we have become the country that has produced the most projects for bicycles and bicycle paths. We need to switch to renewable energy, which will reduce electricity costs and move towards high technology. We say that we are also here for green development to leave a better world for our children.”
I find it very valuable that the capital city has a "pioneering city identity" in this regard as well.
Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş also stated in his speech that he highly valued the capital's "pioneering city identity" in this regard.
Drawing attention to the unusual events occurring due to climate change, Yavaş said, "The increase in forest fires and floods, the lengthening and intensification of droughts, rising sea levels, and ecosystem disruptions negatively affect all aspects of our lives, both materially and spiritually. If no measures are taken in this regard, it is estimated that by 2050, there will be an economic loss of 23 trillion dollars per year."
Yavaş also stated that the unpreparedness of cities and the fact that infrastructure investments, urbanization processes, and planning have not been carried out in accordance with the climate crisis will further increase economic costs.
“The Green Deal process should be accepted as a new development and prosperity agenda for Turkey.”
In his speech, Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), stated that the Summit would be an important turning point in building the future, adding, "The Green Deal process should be accepted as a new development and enrichment agenda for Türkiye."
Hisarcıklıoğlu, pointing to the importance of the Paris Climate Agreement, said, "Last year, we announced from the most authoritative sources that we will reach net zero emissions in 2053. This year will also be a kind of greening year for the financial system. The EU's classification work on green investment standards will shape this process. It will become clear which types of investments are green and eligible for support, and which will be excluded from incentives. Access to green investments in the financial system will become cheaper and easier. Banks will now require companies to document their carbon and water footprints."
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that international financial markets will now shift towards green investments, emphasizing that rapidly expanding Türkiye's green investment portfolio will become crucial for attracting foreign investment under more favorable conditions. He pointed out the need for systems that incentivize companies to reduce carbon emissions, adding that a carbon pricing system also means defining industrial policy and priorities.
Hisarcıklıoğlu, pointing out that the Green Deal process is Türkiye's new development strategy, drew attention to the fact that Togg is an inherently green and sustainable brand, emphasizing that Togg will make a difference in the fight against climate change.
“We are aware of our responsibility within the framework of zero emissions and a green environment.”
In his speech, İsmail Gülle, President of the Turkish Exporters' Council (TİM), stated that they have made various assignments within the Turkish Exporters' Council regarding sustainability and climate change issues, and that they have announced a roadmap for various sectors, primarily textiles, adding, "We are aware of our responsibility within the framework of zero emissions and a green environment."
Gülle noted that the Summit was extremely timely, as it would raise awareness in both societies and businesses in Türkiye and mobilize decision-makers in businesses, drawing attention to the fact that economy and climate are two topics that influence each other.
“We will make Organized Industrial Zones a model example in the green transformation process as well.”
Memiş Kütükcü, President of the Organized Industrial Zones Association (OSBÜK), stated that they will make organized industrial zones a model in the green transformation process, saying, "One of the most important steps we will take in this regard will be to quickly implement the Green Organized Industrial Zone Project, which we are carrying out under the leadership of our Ministry of Industry and Technology, and to launch the 'Green Organized Industrial Zone Certificate' application."
“We bear responsibility for the shared future of our world”
In a video message sent to the summit's opening program, Vice President Fuat Oktay stated that global warming and the resulting climate change phenomenon are among the most serious challenges in human history.
In his message, Oktay stated that pandemics, disasters, and crises caused by global climate change are unfortunately increasing their impact day by day all around the world, and added, "Undoubtedly, global warming and the resulting climate change phenomenon are among the most serious challenges in human history. Although we do not have historical responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions, which are the main source of the problems we are experiencing today, as one of the countries affected by these negative consequences, we are taking all necessary steps with the awareness of bearing responsibility for the common future of our world."
In his message, Oktay emphasized that Türkiye will take a leading position in the region by expanding renewable and clean energy sources and increasing energy efficiency. He also stated his belief that the Economy and Climate Change Summit, to be held in Ankara, the capital city, will bring together all stakeholders and draw the world's attention back to global climate change and the green transformation, offering new perspectives on the fight against climate change.
National Green Finance Strategy 2023
Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Kurum, who stated that he could not attend the summit due to the OECD Environment Ministers Meeting, said in his video message, “We will establish the Climate-Finance Working Group, consisting of public, private sector and academics, before the end of the first half of 2022. Our Climate-Finance Working Group will determine the criteria for financing and incentives that our sectors will need and prepare a special guide.”
In its message, Kurum shared 7 important points that stand out in the economy and climate, and that the private sector expects, stating: "Firstly, we will hopefully complete the National Green Finance Strategy, which we need for the 2053 Net Zero Emissions Target, by the end of 2023. Secondly, we will establish the Climate-Finance Working Group, consisting of public, private sector and academics, before the end of the first half of 2022. Thirdly, our Climate-Finance Working Group will determine the criteria for financing and incentives that our sectors will need and prepare a special guide. Fourthly, we will hopefully have established the infrastructure compliant with international standards for green credit, green funds, and green financial leasing by the beginning of 2024. Fifthly, we want to maximize the financing of green and sustainable investments. For this, we will develop green bond, lease certificate and other capital instrument markets on a national scale. Sixthly, we will protect our sectors vulnerable to the effects of climate change. We will identify all potential risks within this framework and act accordingly. Seventhly, we will adhere to the European Green Deal..." "When you look at it, we currently conduct more than 50% of our trade with European Union countries, so to ensure strong compliance with this agreement, we will establish a National Emissions Trading System. We will also support our industrialists' clean production with the revenue obtained from the carbon pricing mechanism," he said.
The organization stated that it wholeheartedly believes that all participants in the Eco-Climate Summit and Türkiye will contribute to the green development revolution.
Beren Saat and Kenan Doğulu receive goodwill climate ambassador plaques
As part of the summit, artists Beren Saat and Kenan Doğulu were also presented with "Goodwill Ambassador" plaques by Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş.
321 speakers in 10 different areas
Organized by the Ankara Chamber of Commerce and bringing together all segments of society, from public institutions and organizations to local governments, universities to the business world, Organized Industrial Zones to SMEs, international organizations to banks, and civil society organizations to writers and artists, the Summit continues on Thursday, March 31st.
Photos
