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14 January 2025
The “Green Transition in Industry Protocol Signing Ceremony and Launch Event” took place in Ankara, bringing together Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Murat Kurum, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, and Mustafa Varank, Chair of the Grand National Assembly’s Industry, Trade, Energy, Natural Resources, Information, and Technology Commission.
At the ceremony, which was also attended by Director of Climate Change Prof. Halil Hasar, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change and the Credit Registry Bureau (KKB) signed a protocol on the sharing of data based on environmental performance.
Speaking at the protocol ceremony held at the Ankara Bilkent Hotel and Conference Center, Minister Kurum indicated that the “Green Transition in Industry” regulation opens a new chapter in environmentally responsible production saying, “We issue Green Transition in Industry Certificates to facilities that operate in line with energy and resource efficiency and the zero-pollution principle, which in effect introduces a green transition standard for industry.
With this regulation, which will apply to 6,000 facilities, we will classify industrial sites and ensure that manufacturers receiving Class A certificates gain greater prestige in international markets.”
Minister Kurum said they are closely monitoring the impacts of the climate crisis threatening the world and noted that one of the most striking recent examples occurred in the United States, where forest fires turned into massive urban fires due to winds reaching speeds of 161 kilometers per hour.
"Combating the Climate Crisis Is a Matter of Türkiye's Future"
Highlighting that the climate crisis also affects Türkiye, Minister Kurum listed some of its most devastating consequences, including the floods in the Black Sea region, wildfires in Antalya, Muğla, and İzmir, as well as the mucilage problem in the Marmara Sea. "These disasters have once again demonstrated that combating and adapting to the climate crisis is a matter of Türkiye's future," he stated.
"We Keep Inspiring the Rest of the World with the Zero Waste Movement"
Minister Kurum underscored that Türkiye has adopted an environmentally conscious and nature-respecting economic model. "We continue our initiatives without compromising production, employment, or exports, while also ensuring the protection of our environment and nature.
Under the auspices of the esteemed First Lady Emine Erdoğan, we inspire the world with the Zero Waste Movement," he said.
"Carbon Footprint Will Become More Critical for Exports to Europe"
Noting that in 2024, 72% of emissions originated from the energy sector and 13% from the industrial sector, Minister Kurum stated, "The European Green Deal is not merely a climate policy; it also brings a massive economic transformation process. Nearly 50% of our exports go to European Union countries, making Europe our top trading partner.
Moving forward, the carbon footprint of our products exported to Europe, meaning their environmental compliance, will become even more crucial. Every step we take in this regard is strategic. While combating climate change, we are also making decisions that will impact our country for the next 50 to 100 years."
Manufacturers Receiving Class A Certificates Will Gain Prestige in International Markets
Minister Murat Kurum outlined the details of the Regulation on the Management of Industrial Emissions, which was published in the Official Gazette the previous night.
“We have completed a comprehensive two-year effort. With this regulation, we are opening a new chapter and entering a new era in the green transition in industry. We issue Green Transition in Industry Certificates to facilities that operate in line with energy and resource efficiency and the zero-pollution principle, which in effect introduces a green transition standard for industry.
With this regulation, which will apply to 6,000 facilities, we will classify industrial sites and ensure that manufacturers receiving Class A certificates gain greater prestige in international markets.”
"This Protocol Will Showcase the Environmental Performance of Our Industrial Sector"
Minister Kurum also announced the signing of the “Protocol on Data Sharing for Environmental Performance,” which aims to accelerate the Green Transition in Industry. “This protocol will allow us to assess the environmental performance of our industrial sector. Moreover, it will enable us to conduct environmental risk assessments based on data from the Air Emissions Management (HEY) and the New Emission Prediction and Assessment System (NEFES). Our initiatives will progress like interconnected links in a chain. First, we will use these calculations to expedite the green transformation of our facilities. As a result, our industrial sector will gain much faster access to the financial support it urgently needs. Then, we will create new job fields, professions, and areas of expertise.” remarked Minister Kurum. “We will open up fresh opportunities for our bright young minds to showcase their talents. Ultimately, through collaboration with our industrialists and innovative young thinkers, we will elevate Türkiye's industry, competitiveness, employment, and production to the highest possible level.”
World Bank Türkiye Country Director Humberto Lopez and Credit Registry Bureau AŞ (KKB) General Manager and Board Member Gökhan Şahin also attended the ceremony. Following the speeches, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change and KKB signed the protocol on data sharing based on environmental performance. After the ceremony, Minister Kurum met with World Bank Türkiye Country Director Humberto Lopez to discuss issues including climate- and disaster-resilient cities, the Ministry’s work in earthquake-affected regions, and the Zero Waste Movement.
Director of Climate Change Prof. Halil Hasar was also present at the meeting.