-
15 October 2024
Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to achieving the 2053 Net Zero Emission targets established by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. “We are working for a cleaner world through our Zero Waste Movement, launched under the auspices of the esteemed First Lady Emine Erdoğan, which has left a significant mark across seven continents in just seven years,” Minister Kurum stated.
“Over the last 22 years, we have constructed 3.3 million housing units through social housing and urban renewal initiatives, ensuring they are environmentally friendly and zero waste compliant. Today, we continue to build 452,000 new residences and commercial spaces in the earthquake-stricken regions in full alignment with climate change adaptation standards,” he added.
Reflecting on global conflicts, the Minister noted, “Today, we feel the deep sorrow and pain of the children losing their lives in Palestine and Lebanon in our hearts.” “Under the leadership of our President, we continue to be the ‘Global Voice of the Oppressed’ to ensure freedom for Palestine, the salvation of all the downtrodden in the world, and an end to the tragedy in Ukraine,” he added.
Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum attended the ICC World Chambers Federation (WCF) Europe and Asia Summit, which was held in Istanbul. During his keynote address, he warned that “Humanity faces a new wave of destruction and an existential crisis,” citing the recent flood disasters in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Brazil, as well as Hurricane Milton in the United States, which is expected to cause tens of billions of dollars in damage.
“TÜRKİYE HAS NEVER BEEN A MERE SPECTATOR TO CLIMATE CRISES”
Minister Kurum pointed out that the climate crisis triggers systemic problems ranging from food security and clean water access to global trade and industry. “Our country is situated in the Mediterranean Basin and is feeling the adverse effects of the climate crisis more acutely every day,” he noted. We are experiencing disasters such as floods, wildfires, and droughts across every part of our nation. “Türkiye has never been a mere spectator that watches these crises from the sidelines, neither in its own suffering nor during the difficult days of other nations. In the face of the dangers awaiting humanity, our country has never sided with those who bury their heads in the sand or ignore the problems,” the Minister emphasized.
“WE BROUGHT ALL STAKEHOLDERS TOGETHER AT THE CLIMATE COUNCIL”
Recalling the 2022 Climate Council, Minister Kurum noted that they brought all stakeholders together, stating, “We charted a new roadmap in collaboration with our scientists, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. In line with the decisions made there, we established the foundation for our Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), our Climate Law, our Long-Term Strategy, and our various mitigation and adaptation frameworks. Today, we observe that our companies seek to reduce costs through efficiency and energy savings. We are monitoring their desire to achieve a competitive edge through new technologies. And we are pleased by their motivation to become more attractive entities for global investors.
“WE HAVE BUILT 3.3 MILLION ZERO WASTE COMPLIANT RESIDENCES”
Minister Kurum underlined their determination to reach the 2053 Net Zero Emission targets set forth by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as swiftly as possible and detailed the ongoing initiatives: “We are working for a cleaner world through the Zero Waste Movement we launched under the auspices of the esteemed First Lady Emine Erdoğan, which has made a global impact over the past seven years. The government will collaborate with the private sector by launching the National Deposit Management System. With the private sector integrated into the process, Türkiye aims to increase its national recovery and recycling rate to 60 percent by 2035. Innovative wastewater management practices are being implemented across the country. These initiatives are aimed at raising the reuse rate of treated wastewater from 1.2 percent in 2018 to 5.5 percent today, with a target of 15 percent by 2030. “Over the last 22 years, we have constructed 3.3 million housing units —a scale of social housing and urban renewal unmatched globally— through social housing and urban renewal initiatives, ensuring they are environmentally friendly and zero waste compliant. Today, we continue to build 452,000 new residences and commercial spaces in the earthquake-stricken regions in full alignment with climate change adaptation standards.
GREEN TRANSITION CERTIFICATE FOR INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES
Minister Murat Kurum announced the launch of the "Green Transition Certificate for Industry," designed for facilities operating under the "zero pollution" principle, and made the following remarks:
We are taking all necessary measures to ensure that facilities awarded this certificate can seamlessly access environmental investment funds. Under our low-carbon roadmaps for the industrial sector, we will achieve emission reductions of 75% in the aluminum sector, 99% in the steel sector, and 93% in the cement sector by 2053; in the fertilizer sector, our goal is to reach net-zero emissions. In the energy sector, we will increase the share of renewable energy within the total installed electrical capacity to 65% by 2035. We are currently developing regulations for the Emission Trading System and carbon credits, which will soon be implemented in our country. We are making it mandatory for enterprises to obtain greenhouse gas emission permits. As the public sector, we will reinvest the revenue generated from this system back into the private sector. We will prepare the National Green Taxonomy legislation. Through this, we will ensure that our private sector has easier access to flexible financial structures. By passing our Climate Law through Parliament by the end of this year, we will further accelerate the adaptation process.
“WE ARE DETERMINED TO HOST COP31”
Recalling his participation in Pre-COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, last week, Minister Kurum stated: “Parties, led by developed nations, agree that the only way for climate finance to scale from billions to trillions is through a global investment goal. By ensuring strong participation in COP29 this year, we will share our country's roadmap leading to 2053. We will also once again emphasize our determination to host COP31.”
“THE OPPRESSION IN PALESTINE AND BEIRUT ISN’T SOMETHING NEW”
Minister Murat Kurum emphasized that all ongoing efforts are dedicated to children and the future, stating: “We shall work not only for ourselves and our country but for the sake of all humanity. Today, we feel the pain and the sorrow of the children being killed in Palestine and Lebanon deep in our hearts. The oppression in Palestine and Beirut isn’t something new. Fifty years ago, the same suffering was inflicted by the same oppressors. Despite the half-century that has passed, homes in Palestine and Beirut are still being burned today, and mothers continue to lose their loved ones in tears. Palestine continues to stand before all of humanity as a moral test. Under the leadership of our President, we continue to serve as the ‘Global Voice of the Oppressed’ to ensure freedom for Palestine, the salvation of all the downtrodden in the world, an end to the tragedy in Ukraine, and the fostering of peace, tranquility, brotherhood, and unity.”
“WE WANT ALL THE PEOPLES OF THE WORLD TO LIVE IN PEACE”
Highlighting that the fight against climate change loses its meaning in a world without children, Minister Kurum said: “We want the crises in Russia and Ukraine to come to an end, and we want the tragedy in Palestine to cease. We want all the peoples of the world to live in peace, regardless of their language, religion, or sect. The decisions made at this meeting, alongside the investments by our private sector and chambers, will be vital steps for our shared future.”
The program was attended by M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of TOBB and the ICC World Chambers Federation, Philippe Varin, Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce, and John W.H. Denton AO, Secretary General of the ICC.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change