Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Winners in their category, İETT, Recydia and Vestel as well as the runners-up, Ford Kocaeli, Hydromx, Ekol Lojistik, Tüpraş and Tofaş will represent Turkey at the EU Environment Awards.

Speaking at the awards ceremony organized by TOBB and REC Turkey Office, TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized the need to impress the importance of environmentalism upon companies.

- Environmentally friendly companies should be encouraged

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that environmental issues are globally recognized scientific facts.

Emphasizing the need to encourage environmentally friendly, energy efficient companies, the TOBB President urged that this become global policy.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that companies operating with these principles should earn more prestige and that the EU Environment Awards are an important mechanism to this end.

- 1.2 billion people are under threat

Pointing out that we are facing many issues ranging from global warming to climate change to desertification, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that unless prevented, global warming and desertification will result in famine, draught and loss of livelihood for 1.2 billion people as a result of many islands becoming submerged and desertification.

- Environment and Urbanism Minister Özhaseki

Environment and Urbanism Minister Mehmet Özhaseki drew attention to the need to maintain balance of soil, water, air and energy.

Stating that Turkey is attempting to do its part in regards to the preservation of the environment, Özhaseski said that they are also trying to not hinder the development of the country while doing so.

Minister Özhaseki said, “We need to develop, to make use of energy; however we also need an environment in which to live. Maintaining balance is our priority. We urge the industry to be sensitive to this issue and draw their roadmap accordingly.”

- European Union Turkey Delegation Chair Szombati

European Union Turkey Delegation Chair Bela Szombati emphasized the importance of environmental awareness for sustainable development, stating that the environment is a global issue and the EU has set aside 1.5 billion Euros to this end. He stated that finalists would be competing in Tallinn, Estonia, in October.

- European Union Environment Awards

Representing Turkey at the considered the most prestigious awards program in the EU will be: winner in the management category İETT and finalist Ford Kocaeli; winner in the product-service category Recydia and finalists Hydromix and Ekol Lojistik; winner in the process category Vestel and finalists Tüpraş and Tofaş.

The competition held biyearly on a national scale in 28 countries of the EU and Turkey and aims to encourage companies towards innovation by providing awards in the categories of product/service, management and process.