Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, announced Türkiye’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) at the High-Level Ministerial Segment of the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh. With the updated NDC, Türkiye has raised its 2030 emission reduction target from the 21% announced in 2015 to 41% reduction from the Business-As-Usual (BAU) scenario.

Within the scope of the Paris Agreement, which was signedby Türkiye on April 22, 2016, and ratified on October 7, 2021, the preparation processes for Türkiye’s NDC towards the 1.5°C target were carried out by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change (MoEUCC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through a data-driven, scientific, inclusive, and participatory approach. As a result of the technical studies, the findings were submitted to the Climate Change and Adaptation Coordination Board (CCACB), which evaluated and officially approved the new mitigation target.

Under the framework of the Paris Agreement, the reduction from the business-as-usual target for 2030, previously announced as 21%, has been increased to 41% in the updated Nationally Determined Contribution.

In his statement, Minister Murat Kurum stated:

“We are collectively obligated to combat climate change with determination. Implementing the Paris Agreement is no longer an option, but an imperative for all countries to keep the 1.5°C goal within reach. In this regard, we must all develop effective policies to successfully realize climate change mitigation, adaptation, and green transformation across our nations.

As Türkiye, we strengthen our climate change mitigation and adaptation actions with each passing year and continue our efforts with great resolve. Last year, our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, shared Türkiye’s 2053 Net Zero Emissions and Green Development targets with the entire world. In line with the vision set forth by our President, we have initiated a new era in our fight against climate change.

We prepared Türkiye’s Nationally Determined Contribution through a participatory and transparent approach, taking into account our long-term goals and in close consultation with all national institutions and the private sector. We presented our document—covering seven emission-reduction sectors across the economy alongside the adaptation component—to the Climate Change and Adaptation Coordination Board, which is responsible for approving our country’s climate change policies. With the approval of our Board, comprising 22 institutions, we concluded the process of determining our NDC.

Our primary objective in updating Türkiye’s Nationally Determined Contribution was to accelerate Türkiye’s green transformation vision with a significantly more ambitious target. The NDC was prepared in harmony with the priorities of our Development Plan and the newly announced Medium-Term Programme. Within the framework of our NDC, we also continue our work on our climate roadmap to successfully implement our 2053 vision.

Ensuring that all of our short-, medium-, and long-term policy documents shaping our country’s future are aligned and complementary is essential for realizing our climate change targets more robustly and effectively. Like all nations, we have no time to lose. Now is the time to accelerate for the future of our planet.

In this context, Türkiye is increasing its reduction target from the 21% announced in 2015 to 41% by 2030. We will reach peak emissions by 2038 at the latest and subsequently continue progressing toward our net zero target through robust policies. Our NDC also encompasses the policies envisioned for adaptation. As a country situated in the Mediterranean Basin—one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change—adaptation remains one of our top priorities.

As a developing nation, our endeavor to reach this target will both contribute to the global fight against climate change and serve as the cornerstone of our green development.

As outlined in our NDC, we will undergo significant transformation processes across all climate-related areas, from energy to industry, transport to buildings, and waste management to carbon sinks.

I would particularly like to emphasize that, as a developing nation, 54% of Türkiye’s current installed power capacity is sourced from renewable energy. Through our NDC, we will make substantial leaps and investments in energy efficiency, clean transport, the conservation of carbon sinks, and the technological transformation of our industry, just as we have in our renewable energy capacity. Supporting these efforts with international financial resources is vital for the success of our climate action. To execute climate investments effectively, it will be crucial to establish financing policies under a global partnership approach and to develop and implement innovative financing mechanisms.”

Within the framework of its 2030 NDC and 2053 Long-Term Climate Change Strategy (LTS) efforts, Türkiye continues to set its long-term climate targets and steer short-term decision-making processes to support the transformation required to limit global warming.

In addition to complementing each other, both documents will provide critical signals of transformation across the industry, energy, waste, transport, buildings, agriculture, and forestry sectors. The LTS is scheduled for completion and publication next year.

Source: https://iklim.gov.tr/turkiye-ulusal-katki-beyani-ni-cop27-de-acikladi-haber-84