Türkiye's Green Deal: Steps Taken Towards Sustainability and a Carbon-Neutral Future

The European Union's Green Deal strategy is considered one of the most robust actions against global climate change. Announced in 2019, this deal aims to build a sustainability-based economy and achieve a carbon-neutral Europe. But does this goal only concern Europe? Certainly not. The Green Deal has significant implications for the entire world, and Turkey is also an important part of this process. In this article, we will explore how Turkey is involved in the Green Deal, how it responds to nature through this process, and what actions it must take.

What is the Green Deal?

The Green Deal (European Green Deal) is a strategy established by the European Union (EU) with the aim of being carbon neutral by 2050. Its primary goal is to align economic growth in EU countries with environmental harmony, prevent climate change, and promote the sustainable use of natural resources. This deal involves profound changes in many sectors, including energy, transportation, industry, and agriculture.

Given its geographical location and trade relations with the EU, Turkey cannot remain outside this transformation. A significant portion of Turkey’s exports go to EU countries, and the new regulations introduced by the Green Deal will directly affect Turkey’s economic structure.

Turkey and the Green Deal

Turkey took a significant step in combating climate change by ratifying the Paris Climate Agreement in 2021. This ratification requires Turkey to develop a solid action plan in line with its carbon-neutral targets, aligning with the Green Deal. However, full compliance with the Green Deal is not just a legal process; it also necessitates a fundamental shift in economic and environmental policies.

The Green Deal will reshape Turkey’s energy policies, industrial production, and agricultural sector. This process requires accelerating the transition to sustainable energy sources, reducing the use of fossil fuels, increasing energy efficiency, and investing in environmentally friendly technologies.

Steps Turkey Must Take

Energy Transition: Turkey’s energy sector is heavily dependent on fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. To comply with the Green Deal, this dependency must be reduced, and investments in renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydroelectric) must be made. Turkey is a country rich in solar energy potential, and utilizing this potential effectively will provide significant environmental and economic benefits.

Transformation in Industry and Production: Turkey’s industrial sector is one of the high carbon-emitting sectors. Under the Green Deal framework, industrial production will need to evolve towards methods that emit lower carbon. This will necessitate investments in “clean production” technologies. Factories with high energy efficiency, green production technologies, and the principles of a circular economy can reshape Turkey’s industrial structure.

Agriculture and Food Security: The Green Deal covers not only the energy and industrial sectors but also agriculture and food security. It is crucial for Turkey’s agricultural sector to transition to sustainable practices. Climate-friendly agricultural methods reduce the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, thus protecting soil and water resources. Moreover, increasing the emphasis on local agriculture and organic food could boost Turkey's export potential in this area.

Transportation and Infrastructure: The transportation sector is also one of the areas subject to transformation under the Green Deal. To meet its carbon reduction targets, Turkey must accelerate the transition to electric vehicles and increase investments in public transportation. In this regard, expanding electric charging stations and transitioning to low-carbon emission transportation systems will contribute to Turkey's environmental and economic gains.

The Impact of the Green Deal on Turkey

It would be a mistake to limit the impact of the Green Deal on Turkey solely to the environmental aspect. This strategy will also shape Turkey’s economic future. The EU has introduced a measure called the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism under the Green Deal. This measure envisions imposing additional tax burdens on the import of products with high carbon emissions. Given that a significant portion of Turkey’s exports are directed to EU countries, this is a matter of direct concern for Turkey. If Turkey does not transition to a structure that reduces carbon emissions and promotes environmentally friendly production, export costs could rise, and its competitive power may weaken.

Moreover, the Green Deal can open up new business opportunities and investments for Turkey. Sectors such as renewable energy, environmentally friendly technologies, and sustainable agriculture can create new employment opportunities in Turkey. In this context, the Green Deal could not only help protect the environment but also have a positive impact on economic growth.

Turkey’s Green Future

The Green Deal can be seen as not just a process of compliance for Turkey but also a significant opportunity. Protecting nature and combating climate change is a fundamental responsibility not just of today but also for future generations. Through the Green Deal, Turkey can achieve its sustainable development goals, protect its natural resources, and make a meaningful contribution to the global climate fight. However, this process requires well-planned and determined steps. Fundamental changes in sectors such as energy, industry, agriculture, and transportation can enable Turkey to play an active role in this global transformation.

Turkey’s response to the Green Deal can be seen as a call to nature. This call necessitates adopting an economic model based on sustainability and taking on more responsibility for environmental protection. The Green Deal is just the beginning; for Turkey, it is a significant step towards building a sustainable future.