Turkey takes steps towards taking part in European Green Deal

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey has taken important steps to be part of the European Union Green Deal through its just-released landmark Green Deal Action Plan.

The action plan, released by the Trade Ministry on Friday, includes 32 objectives and 81 actions in nine categories to power Turkey’s transition to a more sustainable, greener economy in line with the goal of making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.

In addition to maintaining and improving competitiveness in exports, the locomotive of the economy, Turkey also aims to help deepen its integration with the EU thanks to the existing Customs Union.

Turkey places importance on the Action Plan as part of strengthening the integration it provides to global supply chains and attracting green investments to Turkey.

It set up a European Green Deal Working Group to effectively carry out the objectives and actions under the action plan along with the private sector and all relevant stakeholders.

On Turkey's alignment with the Green Deal, Deputy Foreign Minister Faruk Kaymakci said Friday on Twitter that the establishment of a Turkey-EU high-level dialogue on climate change will advance Turkish-EU cooperation and promote a green European continent.

- European Green Deal

The deal, which is a set of policies with the overarching aim of making the continent the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, was initiated by the European Commission in line with the 2015 Paris climate accord. Last Wednesday the European Commission passed the Green Deal package.

The bloc "aims to make the EU's climate, energy, transport, and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels," according to the European Commission.

Cutting emissions, creating jobs and growth, addressing energy poverty, reducing external energy dependency, and improving health and well-being are some key highlights of Europe’s goal.

Since climate change is seen as "the biggest challenge of our times," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in 2019 that the Green Deal would be the continent's "man on the Moon moment," praising its goal to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent.

According to experts, the deal is not about CO2 emissions, but rather is about greening all production so that it does not harm nature.

As the deal has the potential to revolutionize global trade, Turkey's Green Deal Action Plan and establishment of a working group are seen as important steps to adapt to this situation.