The kick-off event of the project titled “Turkish–German Cooperation for Integrated Climate and Biodiversity Action” was organized under the leadership of the Directorate of Climate Change.
29 April 2025
The kick-off event of the project titled “Turkish–German Cooperation for Integrated Climate and Biodiversity Action” was organized under the leadership of the Directorate of Climate Change. At a ceremony in Ankara, the project “Turkish–German Cooperation: Policy Interaction Project” was officially launched with the signatures of Director of Climate Change Prof. Halil Hasar and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) Türkiye Country Director Anja Maria Dahl.
Implemented by the Directorate of Climate Change and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) within the framework of the International Climate Initiative (IKI), and listing the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Directorate General of Nature Conservation and National Parks among its beneficiaries, the project aims to support the ongoing preparations for the Green Taxonomy of Türkiye, the Emissions Trading System, the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution processes, as well as climate change adaptation and biodiversity activities.
Delivering the opening address, Director of Climate Change Prof. Halil Hasar underlined that pollution affecting biodiversity is clearly visible and said: “Preventing environmental pollution can be relatively straightforward in some cases. You cut off the source of pollution at a specific point and you can, in one way or another, prevent environmental pollution. Over time, polluted soil, air, and water can also be cleaned. But climate is not such a phenomenon. Climate can be damaged in an entirely innocent country as a result of uncalculated and uncontrolled use carried out anywhere in the world.”
Indicating that Türkiye continues its fight against climate change on a global scale, Prof. Hasar highlighted the following points in his speech:
“Ten years from now, we will be talking about adaptation processes rather than emission reductions.”
We are striving to become a leading country in our region on climate issues. In pursuit of this objective, we have developed our policies and updated our Nationally Determined Contribution. We increased the 21 percent rate announced in 2015. As of this year, we are once again carrying out our NDC declaration efforts with great determination. Ten years from now, we will be talking about adaptation processes rather than emission reductions. Today, investments in adaptation are limited because they do not generate immediate returns, but for the future of humanity, adaptation strategies and action plans must be activated in a decisive manner. Within the concept of adaptation, everything from reducing disaster risks to the efficient use of water resources, from expanding organic agriculture to protecting our water assets and green spaces, falls directly within this framework.
“There is a covenant of compassion between humankind and nature.”
There is a covenant of compassion between humankind and nature. This is how I define it. Unfortunately, humankind has always been the one to violate this covenant of compassion. And nature has taken its revenge in extremely severe ways. What happens if we do nothing and take no precautions? What could happen as a result? Believe me, humankind may think it is winning today, but in the end, it will be humankind that loses. Within the framework of a global target such as one-and-a-half degrees, every person who cares about their future, their children, and the future of the world is aware that they must take part in climate action in a very serious way.”
“Among Türkiye’s priorities are climate actions that are compatible with our moral values.”
Among Türkiye’s priorities are climate actions that are compatible with our moral values. These range from preserving ancestral seeds to expanding organic agriculture, with a target to increase organic farming fivefold. All of these are among the priority issues of our climate law.
There is absolutely no question of restricting individual freedoms, nor could there be. It is worth emphasizing that this law is designed to expand our carbon sinks and green spaces in order to protect our future and our planet. We are working to shape an inclusive framework in which the economy, the environment, and emission reductions are taken into account across all sectors.”
“Türkiye has become more active and more determined in international policies in recent years.”
Türkiye has become more visible, more active, and more determined in international policies in recent years. We are making constructive contributions to global negotiations and voicing our views on every issue. Since Türkiye is not a member of any negotiation bloc, we are able to act more actively in these negotiations. We ensured a strong and effective participation at COP29, hosted by Azerbaijan in 2024.
“Türkiye is a candidate for COP31.”
COP30 will be held in Brazil in 2025. And it carries a different significance. Last year, the main theme was finance. This year, we expect a different COP, one in which just transition processes will mature. We are meticulously carrying out our technical preparations and will endeavor to provide the necessary contributions on behalf of Türkiye. We have a candidacy to host the COP31. Our President has announced this openly. We are currently candidates for COP31 together with Australia. And we are conducting friendly and constructive negotiation dialogues. Following the signing ceremony, a panel session titled “The 2053 Net Zero Target: Steps to Be Taken on Climate Change and Biodiversity” was held.