Türkiye set to announce long-term climate strategy toward net zero by 2053

Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and Climate Chief Negotiator Fatma Varank announced plans to finalize the country’s long-term climate change strategy, aiming to achieve net zero emissions by 2053.

She intends to unveil this roadmap in Baku ahead of COP29 later this year.

Participating in the 15th Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin, Varank discussed Türkiye’s climate goals and evaluations regarding the international climate agenda. She emphasized that decisions in combating climate change are made within an international framework. She noted that the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be held in Baku from November 11-22, 2024.

Varank highlighted that Türkiye, as a country with significant experience in climate negotiations, attaches particular importance to the upcoming COP29. She underlined that countries’ climate ministers are engaging in political dialogues on climate action and financing ahead of the Baku process, two crucial topics on this year’s climate agenda.

Addressing the challenges faced by developing economies like Türkiye, she emphasized that countries experiencing seismic and climate-related disasters, like Türkiye, require more financial and technological support.

Regarding Türkiye’s historical responsibility in climate change, Varank mentioned that despite being a G-20 country, Türkiye has one of the lowest current emissions responsibilities, around 1%. 

Goal of net zero emissions by 2053

Varank recalled President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s announcement of Türkiye’s 2053 net zero emissions target and green transformation vision at the U.N. General Assembly 2021.

In line with this, Türkiye is preparing its long-term climate change strategy to achieve this goal and plans to unveil it in Baku ahead of COP29.

Varank also emphasized the importance of transitioning to a circular economy and the Zero Waste Movement initiated by First Lady Emine Erdogan in 2017 – stressing their crucial role in achieving Türkiye’s net zero emissions goal.

In discussing the issue of fairness in climate change negotiations, Varank highlighted the necessity for global cooperation and financial support from developed countries to facilitate the green transformation of developing countries.

She underscored the establishment of a fund last year to mitigate losses and damages due to climate change, with Türkiye actively participating in the decision-making processes to reflect its expertise in disaster recovery.

Source: Newsroom

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