Paris Climate Agreement Enters Into Force

Paris Climate Agreement Entered into Force The bill regarding the ratification of the Paris Climate Agreement, which was unanimously approved in the General Assembly, was published in the Official Gazette and entered into force. Jak Eskinazi, Coordinator President of Aegean Exporters Associations, recalled that Turkey was the only OECD and G20 country that had not ratified the agreement until this date, stating: "Following the Kyoto Protocol which ended in 2020, 197 countries have signed the Paris Agreement, which clarified the global climate regime, and 191 had ratified it. Turkey, as a party to the agreement it signed five years ago, completed the process and became the 192nd country to ratify the agreement. Although late and with time lost, it is a positive step. There are many processes that Turkey needs to be involved in and many things that need to be improved. Our country should genuinely view the climate crisis as a crisis, and all parties should work actively in the period ahead. Countries that are parties to the agreement set their own targets through nationally determined contributions. Alongside Turkey, investments transforming all sectors are taking place in Europe," he stated.

R&D Investment Required for Innovation

Pointing out that all stakeholders need to play an active role and be included in decision-making processes, Eskinazi continued: "Critical thinking, freedom, participation, and pluralism are the most important elements in climate policies as they are in all areas. Turkey ranks 41st in the WIPO 2021 Global Innovation Index, proportional to its development level. Germany allocates 3.17 percent of GDP, Japan 3.28 percent of GDP, Sweden 3.39 percent, and South Korea 4.53 percent to R&D. Turkey, however, allocates only 1 percent of GDP to R&D. Turkey is the only OECD country that reduced its R&D investment share from the state budget in 2020. If R&D investment is made, innovation will follow; if innovation occurs, qualified sustainable economic growth will result. Necessary contributions should be made for the green investment mobilization effort and R&D resources should be increased," he continued.

Need for Renewable Energy Equipment and Services Exporters Association and Carbon Emissions Market Regulatory Authority

Jak Eskinazi, who supports the prioritization and implementation of necessary policies, particularly energy efficiency, announced that they have started work on establishing Turkey's first Renewable Energy Equipment and Services Exporters Association in Izmir. "Turkey's wind energy installed capacity exceeded 10,000 MW. Mechanisms should be developed for the promotion of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and green hydrogen, where climate policies will be negotiated at the highest level, and where national initiatives will be presented in areas such as reporting, carbon footprint information, and labeling. Turkey should establish a Carbon Emissions Market Regulatory Authority similar to the Energy Market Regulatory Authority. If we want to lead a new era in climate, we know that the private sector bears a great responsibility in this struggle. Therefore, through the projects and initiatives we undertake in the sustainability field, we are pioneers among Exporters Associations in Turkey."

Sustainability Department Established at AEA

Eskinazi stated: "We established a Sustainability Department at Aegean Exporters Associations to support exporting sectors in their adaptation process to comply with the EU Green Deal and to develop projects. To accelerate the transition of both our industrial and agricultural sectors to environmentally friendly and low-carbon development, we are supporting our companies with our Sustainable R&D projects. As the Aegean Exporters Associations, we commit to continuing and increasing our support in the fight against the long-standing climate crisis," he concluded.