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06 April 2026
The “Sustainable Air Conditioning Finance Program” officially debuted in Istanbul as part of the COOL UP: Upscaling Sustainable Cooling initiative, a collaborative effort between the Directorate of Climate Change and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to promote sustainable cooling solutions.
Delivering the opening remarks, Mehrali Ecer, Deputy Director of Climate Change, noted that global climate action rests on two primary pillars: mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and building climate resilience through adaptation.
Highlighting the critical role of the financial sector, Deputy Director Ecer stated, “The speed of our transformation depends heavily on financing mechanisms that streamline access to low-carbon technologies. By aligning policy, finance, and industry stakeholders, the Cool Up program helps build the robust ecosystem required for sustainable cooling.”
Deputy Director Ecer also touched upon Türkiye’s broader environmental roadmap, referencing the nation’s 2021 ratification of the Paris Agreement and its ongoing commitment to the 2053 Net Zero Emission Target. Furthermore, he pointed to Türkiye’s upcoming role as the host of COP31 as a strategic opportunity to solidify its influence in shaping global climate policy. Drawing a parallel with international efforts to protect the ozone layer, Deputy Director Ecer emphasized that past environmental triumphs prove global cooperation remains the most effective tool for addressing the climate crisis.
The event provided a comprehensive platform to address energy efficiency, low-carbon technologies, and climate finance within the air conditioning sector. Alongside these discussions, the event featured detailed presentations on initiatives to scale up sustainable cooling solutions, as well as specific financing frameworks and capacity-building projects.
The program also included a panel session titled “Green Transition in Air Conditioning: Technology, Projects, and Investments,” which brought together representatives from Akbank, UNDP, and the Frankfurt School alongside Deputy Director Ecer.