Turkey’s Green Deal Action Plan
Samet Arslan
by Samet Arslan
Samet Arslan is a Partner & Corporate Finance and Strategy Leader at Finansal Eksen Audit and Consultancy Inc. Passionate about quality and effectiveness in financial reporting and the audit. Driver of innovation. Advocate for sustainable development. Contact Samet.
With the European Green Deal (Green Deal) announced on 11 December 2019, the European Union (EU) has set its goal of being the first climate-neutral continent in 2050. Following the announcement of the EU that it will reshape all its policies on the axis of climate change by adopting a new growth strategy to achieve this goal, an action plan called the Green Deal Action Plan (GDAP) was created with the contributions of the relevant Institutions to ensure Turkey's adaptation to the Green Deal. Presidential Circular No. 2021/15 on GDAP was published in the Official Gazette dated 16 July 2021.
The GDAP aims to ensure sustainable growth and development in Turkey in an inclusive way and to support the green transformation of the Turkish economy and industry. In addition, it is aimed to maintain competitiveness in trade with third countries, especially the EU, and to improve integration into the transforming global value chains. Green Deal Working Group (GDWG) was formed and working group meetings are held to monitor the implementation of the GDAP, to direct the studies by considering the global policy needs, and to carry out the necessary actions to improve the scope of the GDAP and increase its effectiveness.
In accordance with the Presidential Circular No. 2021/15, to assist the GDWG and to analyse the Green Deal requirements, current situation, needs and risks regarding the work area, to create thematic/sectoral roadmaps and/or policy recommendations and to report them to the GDWG; specialised working groups (SWGs) were formed regarding the industries such as textile, construction, cement, iron and steel, energy, finance and technology. Besides, due to the importance of just transition policies and education in the green and digital transformation process, which are not included as direct actions in the action plan, SWGs have been established to work in these areas as well.
It is important that all stakeholders working on the subject from the public and private sector, non-governmental organisations and universities are involved in the studies as much as possible and that the Turkey Green Reconciliation studies are continued with a joint effort and contribution. In this context, public and private sector institutions and organisations; universities, chambers, stock exchanges, professional associations, non-profit organisations and other non-governmental organisations and all persons and organisations deemed necessary to consult their opinions, experience and knowledge can participate in the work of GDWG and SWGs, both as a stakeholder and as an expert.
81 actions to be implemented in order to achieve the 32 targets determined under nine headings in the GDAP.
These headings are
(1) carbon border adjustments,
(2) a green and circular economy,
(3) green finance,
(4) clean, affordable and secure energy supply,
(5) sustainable agriculture,
(6) sustainable smart transportation,
(7) combating climate change,
(8) diplomacy, and
(9) European Green Deal information and awareness activities.
On the other hand, considering that the green transformation process is a dynamic process that continues to take shape in the world and in the EU and to maintain the GDAP up to date; the steps taken by the EU in the relevant fields are closely followed within the scope of both the GDWG and the SWGs, all relevant stakeholders are informed about current developments and studies within the scope of GDAP are carried out in the light of these developments. Accordingly, the following are carried out within the scope of GDAP in general:
The effects of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on the energy-intensive and resource-intensive sectors are modelled based on scenarios, working on a sectoral basis and actions to be taken are determined.
For an appropriate carbon pricing mechanism in Turkey, studies are continuing to determine the country's position on carbon pricing, considering the EU's CBAM.
Attempts are being made at the EU level to enable the accreditation of Turkish verifiers.
Efforts are underway to develop a system for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions from industry in line with the needs.
A roadmap and action plans are determined to support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in priority sectors that may be subject to CBAM.
Identification of prominent technologies that will support compliance with the Green Deal and green production through needs analysis, and the development / dissemination / transfer of the identified technologies are conducted.
Preparation of the National Circular Economy Action Plan has been initiated.
Consumer protection legislation is updated in line with the green transformation and sustainable development goals.
Technological infrastructure for green transformation is being strengthened.
Efforts are underway to disseminate the Life Cycle Evaluation studies.
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