Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The opening ceremony of the “ECO CLIMATE Economics and Climate Change Summit and Fair”, organized to combat climate change and minimize the impact of climate change on the economy, was held at ATO Cogresium.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the event would be an important turning point in the construction of the future.

Emphasizing that the climate change agenda is a top global priority, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the United States has returned to the Paris Climate Agreement.

Pointing to the importance of the Paris Climate Agreement, Hisarcıklıoğlu said: “Last year we announced 2053 as the year when we will reach net zero emissions. This is going to be a green year in the financial system. The EU's classification study of green investment standards will shape this process.

It will be revealed which types of investments are green and suitable for support, and which will be excluded from the scope of the incentive. Green investments will make access to the financial system cheaper and easier. Banks will now ask companies to certify their carbon and water footprint.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that international financial markets will now move towards green investments, stressing that Turkey's rapid growth of its green investment portfolio will become important in order to attract foreign investment to the country under more favorable conditions.

“The Green Deal process should be recognized as a new development and enrichment agenda for Turkey,” Hisarcıklıoğlu said.

Noting the need for systems to encourage companies to reduce carbon emissions, Hisarciklıoğlu said that the carbon pricing system also means setting industrial policy and priorities.

- “TOGG will make a difference in the fight against climate change”

Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that the Green Deal process is Turkey's new development strategy.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the national income and growth rate have been looked at when it comes to progress, enrichment and growth so far. “‎Moving forward, how that growth is achieved, the damage it does to nature and the planet, will also be taken into account.‎ EU firms are already considering the carbon footprint and waste management of their suppliers there. Our companies need a more comprehensive framework, roadmap and a budget to help them adapt to the new environment. Because we are facing a capital intensive economic transformation process. We need more investment and capital and financial resources for that.”

Noting that TOGG is a green and sustainable brand from its conception, Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed that TOGG will make a difference in the fight against climate change.

- Minister Varank

Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank thanked the Ankara Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders who contributed to the organization of the summit, and said that the two-day event will discuss all aspects of climate change and discuss it from national and international perspectives.

Noting that the world's first climate change expo was established within the scope of this summit, Varank stated that they were present at the expo both as the Ministry and with affiliated and related organizations.

- “TOGG will be one of our most important achievements in the fight against climate change”

Varank pointed out that the star of the expo will be the native electric and autonomous vehicle TOGG, “When TOGG goes into traffic at the end of this year, it will be the star not only of our country but also of the world. Zero carbon emissions will be one of our most important achievements in combating climate change.”

Varank stated that the stage of raising awareness about climate change has been passed and argued that it is not developing countries like Turkey that are responsible for reaching a critical stage, but countries that have polluted nature and atmosphere with the understanding of wild economic growth for centuries.

Varank stated that at this point, the bill is being paid by human beings as a whole, and said: “This has become an existential struggle for mankind. If we want to create a habitable environment and leave a habitable world for future generations, we need to make radical changes in our economic activities. Of course, governments will aim to increase economic growth and the prosperity of their countries in their development policies, but we need to take more care of the sustainability of this growth and respect for the environment than ever before. As Turkey, we will always continue to do our part in this matter. Even if we as Turkey create a carbon neutral country, it is not possible for us to make the world livable if other countries do not take these steps as well. That's why all countries need to take responsibility. Especially right now, there's a country in the world that releases half the carbon. When we look at the measures related to this country, we see that no one cares about this issue and even western countries continue to invest in those countries. We will do our part, but we need to act collectively here.”

Emphasizing that the transformation to a structure where resources are used efficiently, waste is minimized and recovered with little to no carbon footprint, Varank stated that they will continue to implement this transformation in accordance with economic development, which will lead to radical changes in the investment, production, employment and export policies of the country.

Varank pointed out that as the Ministry, they are working hard to better manage the process, take advantage of opportunities and move the country to its rightful position, and reminded that they have developed innovative and rational policies in many fields from R&D and technology ecosystem to entrepreneurship, qualified human resources to business and investment environment.

- “TOGG will also be at the vanguard of green transformation in the sector”

Varank explained that Turkey's automobile project TOGG is one of the first of these moves, adding: “Thanks to this project, which we have implemented just in time and by investing in the right technology, we will increase our competitiveness in the automotive sector two-fold. TOGG will also be at the forefront of the green transformation in the industry. Both the construction of the factory and the development of the vehicle are continuing at full speed as planned. With TOGG's release, awareness in this area will be much greater. In addition, with TOGG, we see that global brands continue to invest in electric vehicles in our country at full throttle. As you know, Ford Otosan is making a huge investment in this regard in our country. As of this month, they are starting the production of their full electric vehicles in Kocaeli. Many other brands are waiting for the opportunity to come to our country. You can be sure that our country will soon become a global production base for electric vehicles.”

Varank mentioned that the need for electric vehicle charging infrastructures has increased with the rapid developments in the sector and reminded of the support program announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

In this context, Varank stated that they will provide a total of 300 million liras for the establishment of more than 1500 high-speed charging stations in all 81 provinces. “‎We will give all of this to our companies that will invest in this field as grants.‎ Thus, within a year, we will equip Turkey with charging stations.”

Varank pointed out that in parallel with the electrification process, they put renewable energy sources at the forefront of electricity generation and explained the incentives for wind and solar energy investments. Varank stated that industrialists all over Turkey are also planning investments in this regard.

Varank also mentioned the projects that will accelerate the transformation of OIZs into “Green OIZs”, pointing out that organized industrial zones will be sustainable industrial areas where water is recovered and renewable energy is produced by meeting the infrastructure requirements.

Varank emphasized that this transformation cannot be actualized only with the efforts of producers, local administrators, industrialists and business people. “‎If we want to save the future of the world and Turkey, our children and youth need to be more aware and more conscious in this field.‎ I would like to thank our young people who filled the entire hall. The future of Turkey will be saved not by us, but by you; by these young people, the TEKNOFEST generation. Together we will build a much greener, much more beautiful Turkey together.”

- ATO President Gürsel Baran

At the opening of the summit, which brought together international organizations, non-governmental organizations, business, academics and students, Gürsel Baran, President of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO), said in his speech at the ATO-led the summit that the Paris Climate Agreement, which Turkey ratified at the end of last year, envisages major changes in the social, cultural and ecological system, especially the economic system.

Reminding that the European Union (EU) has also put in place the Green Deal, Baran said, “Climate change, which is an issue that will affect the economies of the country in itself, stands as a phenomenon that can negatively reflect on growth rates if the necessary transformation is not achieved.”

Noting that Ankara has put forward a first on climate change, Baran noted: “For the first time, with such a multi-stakeholder and broad consensus, we have launched a civil movement against climate change for awareness and transformation. As ATO, we are also taking a position on the 'green transformation' of our country with our mission and vision. At this summit, we took on a role with business, public institutions and organizations, local governments, universities, private sector, international organizations and non-governmental organizations.”

Pointing out that the issue of climate change will be discussed in full detail at the two-day summit, Baran said that the expo, which includes good practices on green transformation and sustainability, especially Turkey's automobile, TOGG, will be an example for SMEs and businesses.

Baran stated that the banks will present green transformation financing opportunities at the summit and explained that the summit will be a seminal experience for young people.

Stating that the world is being reshaped towards a new social order on the basis of the Paris Climate Agreement and the Green Deal of the EU, Baran said, “The green transformation against climate change in everything from industry to trade, agriculture to technology will bring with it all the responsibilities it imposes, as well as new ways of doing business.”

Baran continued: “All the developments we have experienced in the last few years, especially the pandemic and war, have shown that Turkey's economy is a strong economy and the Turkish entrepreneur can easily adapt to change with its dynamic structure. If we carry out the green transformation, we would become the logistics and supply center of the world by adding another one to already existing advantages. I hope that the unity and solidarity of all the people attending the summit will create the synergy that will transform the opportunities offered by green transformation into a green development move.”