Presidency’s Directorate of Communications has compiled the book “Türkiye’s Green Development Initiative”, which details Türkiye’s 2053 vision for combating climate change.
Addressing sustainable development goals to ensure economic, social and environmental improvement concurrently, the book titled “Türkiye’s Green Development Initiative” has been released on the webpage of the Directorate of Communications: "www.iletisim.gov.tr/turkce/yayinlarimiz".
The book comprises chapters on "International Processes and Sustainable Development", "Green Development, Green Growth, and Green Economy", "Global Warming, Climate Change and International Conventions", "Sustainable Development Goals and Türkiye", "Climate Change and Türkiye" and "Türkiye’s 2053 Green Development Vision".
Director of Communications Altun penned the book’s preface. Altun noted that Türkiye has always viewed and implemented development as the accomplishment of structural transformations in social, technological, institutional and environmental fields in addition to economic growth.
Underlining that all of the policies they have put in place demonstrate the importance they place on both qualitative and quantitative change, Altun wrote: “Since 2002, our perspective on our nation’s overall development has enabled us to focus on goals such as distributing national income equitably, increasing employment, and introducing innovative economic initiatives. Additionally, the introduction of climate change measures, which we regard as one of the world’s greatest challenges, is an essential component of these policies.”
Altun indicated that their experience in government over the last two decades enabled them to focus not only on national and regional issues but also on international ones, and continued:
"It has never been consistent with Türkiye’s historical perspective and mission to be isolated in its region and remain silent on international issues. Thus, under the leadership of our President, Türkiye has taken a position that allows it best to observe and object to the unjust structure in the world. As international crises such as climate change have demonstrated, this corrupt system has existed for many years. The economic, political, and environmental aspects of it are no longer sustainable because this unjust system has turned not only countries and people into enemies to be exploited and fought against but also nature."
Drawing attention to the concept of “growth without regard for the air, water and soil” renders the world uninhabitable, Altun wrote: “It is now clear that the world can no longer view nature as an enemy. Integrating into a low-carbon economy in order to build a sustainable and inclusive global economy has become a red line for the world.”
“Countries that do not adopt green development principles will also harm themselves”
Altun underlined Türkiye’s support for international agreements, particularly the Paris Agreement, and their belief that all nations should unite to combat the global climate crisis, which is a global issue.
Noting that protecting green spaces has never been viewed as a concession made at the expense of development, but as a form of development that will pay off in the long run by protecting nature, Altun wrote:
"Countries that do not adopt green development principles for their short-term interests will harm not only themselves but also the world. Türkiye will prepare and implement all our medium and long-term development programmes and practices under the guidance of the structural transformation required by the green development initiative. This choice is not a luxury, a loss or a concession for us; rather, it will serve as a road map for us to start planning for the future today. We have already made significant progress in this regard through our efforts to increase renewable energy, improve waste management and expand forests in particular. We have advanced to a higher level in terms of both protecting nature and raising awareness about recycling and circular economy with our ‘Zero Waste’ project under the leadership of HE Emine Erdoğan."
“Significant steps will be taken within the framework of net-zero emission goal”
Recalling that Türkiye has committed to reducing its emissions to net-zero by 2053 under the Paris Agreement adaptation process, Altun wrote:
"Significant steps will be taken in this context toward the goal of net-zero emission, which refers to the balance between greenhouse gases emitted by fossil fuels and oceans and green areas that absorb and eliminate these gases. Designing our country’s first domestic vehicle as an electric vehicle, making breakthroughs in renewable technologies, and providing incentives for smart buildings and cities are examples of how we are moving in this direction. Türkiye will not remain silent on climate change, which poses a threat to the future of humanity; on the contrary, it will take the lead. Türkiye has already been left in the lurch in its efforts to combat irregular migration, particularly in Syria. While the world is on the verge of mass migrations due to climate change, it is unthinkable for Türkiye to stay out of the fray.
Noting that climate change has become a tangible indicator of how accurate Türkiye’s political vision of “a fairer world is possible” to injustices in the global management system is, Altun wrote: “As with all other issues, we will also be on the side of those who are oppressed and suffering in the case of climate change. We will stand firm against injustice and unfairness regarding the consequences of climate change, just as we have in the face of colonialism, terrorism, and other forms of discrimination. In addition, Türkiye will also set an example for the rest of the world by presenting Green Development as a people-centred development vision.”
Indicating that this is a document that outlines Türkiye’s vision for green development in all of its facets, Fahrettin Altun said, “I believe that the Green Development Initiative will be a watershed moment in our county’s modernisation. Along with structural reforms that will be implemented in the near future, Türkiye will take strategic steps towards a more liveable world and play a pioneering role in this field.”