tusiad iklim toplantilari 1The first of the TÜSİAD Climate Meetings, “The Role of Funding in The Low-carbon Development Process” took place on 11th April, Wednesday at Tekfen Tower. In his opening speech the Chairman of The Board Erol Bilecik said, “The world is changing at great speed; our natural resources are running out fast; the number and impact of natural disasters is on the increase. The number of unusual weather events has quadrupled on a yearly basis compared to 1970.

This reality brings us to the point of considering low-carbon development while planning our future. The transition process to the low-carbon development model brings with it the investment need for capacity and technology development. The most important dimension of this process is the funding. Technology investment for low-carbon development will play a triggering role for the business world with its support and incentives in the sustainability of the industry such as energy efficiency applications. As TÜSİAD, we insist that our country constitute national policies regarding the combat with climate change and low-carbon development, and implement them as soon as possible.”

TÜSİAD’s Approach To Climate Negotiations

*The Paris Treaty, which is the product of an important consensus regarding the combat with climate change, is a strategic priority.
*Where Turkey will be on the issue of low-carbon development in 2020 and after is important. Strategies and work should be carried out in this direction. Priorities should be established in the combat with climate change.
*In order to strengthen the investment environment, integrity and consistency must be ensured between all the attitude documents and sectoral plans and policy documents.
*The policiy tools for the combat with climate change and emission reduction must protect the sectoral and global competitiveness of the Turkish economy and be predictable.

Important Elements of Low-carbon Development Policies
*Holistic policies that involve the concurrent implementation of different market-based instruments , incentives and measures should be developed.
*Low-carbon development will create new economic opportunities and employment for our country. For investments to be made in this direction, funding resources will be of critical importance.
*The incentives to be given for the transition of the business world to the low-carbon development model should be organised in a way to create a driving force for the investors. Long-term and predictable policies must be put forward.
*It is important to make maximum use of renewable resources like solar, wind, and geothermal energies of which we have great potential.
*In terms of energy efficiency financially preferable incentive models should be created; incentives depending on productivity level should be defined.