While the effects of climate change are increasing day by day, ILKE Foundation, which takes action to contribute to the development of our country in the green transformation process, has published the report “Green Economy in Turkey: A Roadmap for Transformation” prepared with the contributions of different experts and academics.
While climate change negatively affects the future of the world, it continues to harm both economically and politically. Many countries are accelerating the green transformation process in order to zero carbon emissions and use natural resources efficiently. Taking action to contribute to the development of our country in the green transformation process, ILKE Foundation Islamic Economics Research Center (IKAM) published the report “Green Economy in Turkey: A Roadmap for Transformation”, which it prepared by analyzing the opinions of different sources and experts. In the report, in which both Turkey and the global sustainability studies were evaluated in a data-based way, many issues were discussed, from carbon emissions to energy consumption.
“We must act together in the fight against the climate crisis”
Drawing attention to the need to act with a collective consciousness in the fight against the climate crisis, one of the report authors, Dr. Instructor Member Ömer Faruk Tekdoğan made the following statement on the subject: “In recent years, there have been important developments both in the world and in Turkey in the fight against the climate crisis, which requires the joint struggle and multi-faceted effort of all stakeholders. Chief among these are the Paris Agreement, the first global agreement signed within the scope of climate change, and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in which countries' measurable climate targets are set. It is aimed that the USA and 27 EU countries will reach net zero in carbon emissions by 2050. We created a roadmap with the report we prepared to contribute to the green transformation of our country.”
USA leads in carbon emissions per capita
According to the report titled Green Economy in Turkey: A Roadmap for Transformation, the USA ranks first among the regions with the highest per capita carbon emissions in the world, followed by Turkey, after China and EU countries. Petroleum ranks first with 33% in energy sources among the most driving forces that trigger carbon emissions, followed by coal with 27% and gas with 24,3%. It is reported that the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) country, where energy demand has increased the fastest in the past 20 years, is Turkey. It is stated that Turkey, which imports more than 76% of its energy needs from abroad and meets a significant part of it from imported fossil fuels, has accelerated its efforts within the scope of green transformation.
It can be an important force in tackling the current account deficit
Based on the data in the report, our country is making significant progress in energy efficiency in these days when the energy crisis has become a global problem. In terms of energy efficiency, it ranks second after the UK in wind energy and after Spain in solar energy. It is positioned first in the table where the sum of both is included. Behind this success of Turkey are the wind river and efficient solar radiation values, as it is surrounded by sea on three sides. In this respect, it is claimed that the green transformation will be an important force in Turkey's struggle with the current account deficit. While it is emphasized in the report that the formation of legal regulations, legislation and regulations should be the primary step, it is considered necessary to create fund and incentive packages to reduce production costs.
Green transformation could turn into opportunity for Islamic financial institutions
According to the ILKE Foundation's report titled “Green Economy in Turkey: A Roadmap for Transformation”, the principles that Islamic financial institutions must comply with in their business, unlike conventional finance, can create an advantage in meeting the necessary criteria because they overlap with the objectives of sustainability and green transformation. In the report, which states that Islamic financial institutions should increase the share of green transformation in the financial system through initiatives, it is noted that governments are expected to pave the way for Islamic financial institutions with incentive policies and supportive and facilitating regulations in line with this purpose.