The European Green Deal and Industry in Turkey

The European Green Deal is a comprehensive strategy initiated by the European Union (EU) to combat climate change, create a sustainable economy, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. This agreement envisions extensive reforms across various sectors, including energy, transportation, industry, and agriculture. For countries like Turkey, which have strong trade and economic ties with the EU, the effects of this deal are highly significant.

Key Principles of the European Green Deal

The European Green Deal presents a roadmap aimed at transforming sectors to achieve the EU’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Its core objectives include:

• Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050,

• Promoting the use of clean energy,

• Encouraging a circular economy,

• Protecting biodiversity,

• Achieving zero pollution.

In line with these goals, industries must undergo significant transformations in production processes, energy use, and waste management. The Green Deal also includes a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which imposes taxes on products imported into the EU based on their carbon footprint.

Industry in Turkey and the Green Deal

Turkey is one of the EU’s largest trading partners, and a significant portion of Turkey’s industry exports to the EU. Therefore, the European Green Deal presents both important opportunities and challenges for Turkey’s industrial sector. Turkish exporters will need to adopt sustainable production methods and reduce their carbon footprint to remain competitive in the EU market.

To support the green transition in the industrial sector, Turkey has taken several steps. The Turkey Green Deal Action Plan, published by the Ministry of Trade in 2021, outlines strategies aimed at increasing sustainability in industry. This plan promotes energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy, environmentally friendly production techniques, and the application of circular economy principles.

Steps the Turkish Industry Must Take for a Green Transition

1. Increasing Energy Efficiency: Industrial facilities in Turkey must invest in energy efficiency projects and reduce their carbon emissions. Improvements in this area not only reduce environmental impact but also lower operational costs.

2. Utilization of Renewable Energy: Turkey has significant potential in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, offering an important opportunity for industries to transition to carbon-neutral energy.

3. Applying Circular Economy Practices: Industrial facilities must recycle, reuse, and adopt environmentally friendly production processes. The circular economy model reduces resource usage while minimizing waste.

4. Reducing Carbon Footprint: Due to the carbon border tax that will be introduced by the European Green Deal, Turkish industries will need to lower the carbon footprint of their products. This will require a shift to renewable energy, more effective waste management, and environmentally conscious production processes.

Turkey’s Adaptation to the Green Deal

Turkey has already implemented various action plans and incentive mechanisms to align its industry with the European Green Deal. The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources is developing new projects and incentives to improve energy efficiency in industry. Additionally, research institutions like TÜBİTAK provide support to the industry for developing sustainable production techniques and renewable energy sources.

With the introduction of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Turkey’s export sectors, especially energy-intensive industries such as steel, chemicals, automotive, and textiles, will need to take more steps toward green transformation.

Conclusion

The European Green Deal presents challenges as well as significant opportunities for the Turkish industry. Aligning with this process is crucial for Turkey to maintain and enhance its competitiveness on the international stage. The green transformation will be a significant step toward Turkey’s sustainable development goals, with the industrial sector playing a key role in this process.

Every step taken towards compliance with the Green Deal will not only help protect the environment but will also contribute to Turkey’s economic growth and strengthen its industry’s position in global markets.