Ankara prioritizes fight against climate change and environmental pollution: Türkiye’s vice president

By Faruk Zorlu

ANKARA (AA) - Türkiye sees the fight against climate change and environmental pollution as one of its top priorities, the country's Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Thursday.

"As a party to the Paris Climate Agreement, Ankara announced its 2053 net zero-emission target and revealed its strong vision on climate change," Oktay said, addressing Anadolu Agency Environment Forum in Istanbul.

In this direction, Türkiye prepared the green accord action plan for "green transformation focused on environmentally friendly industrial production and determined its roadmap," he added.

Ankara's efforts are continuing on climate law, which will be a "cornerstone in the country's fight against climate change," Oktay noted.

Türkiye also determines its greenhouse gas reduction policy by considering the opinions of all relevant stakeholders in both public and private sectors, he said.

In line with Ankara's target of net zero-emission, "we plan to complete Türkiye's long-term climate strategy by the end of this year," he added.

Meanwhile, "we are increasing the number of our green ports," he said.

- Türkiye's determination to fight climate change

Touching upon Türkiye's determination to fight climate change, Oktay said: "We are one of the world's leading countries in the fight against desertification and erosion."

Also, 54.3% of our installed electricity power consists of renewable energy sources. In terms of installed capacity, Türkiye ranks second in Europe in hydro-electricity and ninth in the world, he said.

The country also ranks first in Europe in geothermal energy and the fourth in the world, while in wind energy, Ankara ranks seventh in Europe and 12th globally.

In solar energy, it ranks eighth in Europe and 16th in the world, he added.

Additionally, 3.9 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions were prevented with the zero waste project, Oktay said, adding that 347 million trees have been saved through the project.

He noted that environment and climate change courses have been added to the curriculums at schools.

It is not the balance of nature that needs to be changed, but our production and consumption habits, he underlined.

Oktay also thanked Anadolu Agency for hosting the Environment Forum to address the media’s role in the climate change.