Ankara to accelerate efforts towards green revolution: Turkish minister

By Yildiz Nevin Gundogmus

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey will resolutely carry out its fight against climate change and accelerate efforts towards green revolution, the country's minister for environment, urbanization and climate change said on Thursday.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency about talks during the 26th UN Climate Conference (COP26), Murat Kurum reiterated Turkey's 2053 net-zero emission target.

“We will make the best of the green development revolution, and resolutely carry out our fight against climate change by adding new steps to the steps we have already taken,” he noted.

He said climate change is not simply an environmental concern, but also a development and national security issue that affects many sectors, citing the increased number of natural disasters caused by climate change around the world, including floods, hurricanes, droughts, and fires.

“Compared to 100 years ago, fires caused by global warming have increased by 30%, and the number of days when the air temperature exceeds 50 degrees Celsius has doubled in the last 40 years,” stated the minister.

Reminding that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has set a net-zero emission target by 2053, Kurum noted that they are increasing the country's renewable energy resources across Turkey to use less fossil fuels.

“It should not be forgotten that climate change is a common responsibility,” he said, pointing out the importance of the climate summit where many key issues are being discussed ranging from climate adaptation to climate migration.

Kurum announced that Turkey will conduct a "Climate Council" in January 2022, at which the private sector, non-governmental organizations, universities, industrialists, and international organizations will present long-term strategic action plans.

With a delegation of 65 people, Turkey will continue its work in Glasgow until Nov. 12, he added.