Prospects for Renewable Energy in Turkey after Paris COP21 Summit

Year 2016, Issue: 2, 70 - 75, 01.09.2016

Serhat Süha Çubukçuoğlu

Abstract

Turkey is a developed OECD
country in the league of G-20 with close to 4% projected GDP growth rate per
annum in 2016-17.[i] Global
warming due to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions constitute a common problem of
mankind and draws attention from countries at the top of the industrial league
to emerging ones alike, and Turkey is no exception to this. Since 1994, UNFCCC[ii] treaty
obliges adopting parties to reduce the impact of global warming caused by human
activities through “common but differentiated responsibilities.” Ten years
after its inauguration, Turkey ratified only the Annex-I of the UNFCCC in 2004
and is therefore exempted from the obligation to undertake GHG emissions
reduction commitments.[iii] Likewise,
after tense negotiations and only then in 2009 following the third conference
of the parties (COP3), Turkey became a signatory to Kyoto Protocol, but limited
its responsibility to Annex I of the UNFCCC without introducing new
commitments.

Research reveals that 71% of
CO2 emissions in Turkey are caused by the industry and coal-based power
plants[iv] that
contribute to 29% of electricity generation. On the global scale,
well-established scientific evidence shows that the world’s human-induced GHG
emissions, of which CO2 makes up 80%,[v] that
cause an enhanced greenhouse effect come from combustion of fossil fuels. These
facts provide invaluable forecast about risks and courses of possible action to
insure against them. By looking at current trends, it is not difficult to
estimate that production of conventional oil & gas will peak and decline in
the 21st century. Economic growth, prosperity, and better lives will be
made possible with low carbon-footprint.

The UNFCCC COP21 summit in 2016,
held in Paris, set a cornerstone in global energy revolution as for the first
time, it brought 175 countries into a common cause to curb net CO2 emissions
and limit global temperature rise to 2°C, however optimistic this target may
still seem to be. Adoption of renewable and clean energy technologies plays a
key role to implement this action plan. From that perspective, Turkey’s active
participation and contribution to gradually phase out coal and fuel power to
replace them with solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower will help preserve
the environment for our future generations and for the world as a whole. As a
growing economy, Turkey has demonstrated significant progress in its efforts to
combat climate change through sustainable development principle, which is to
“meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs”.[vi] Turkey
should continue to foster environmentally friendly, innovative policies to
decarbonize energy through market liberalization, public-private partnerships,
technology transfer, carbon taxation, and financial assistance for green
investments. With Paris accord, Turkey has declared to commit up to 21% further
reduction in carbon emissions rate from its current levels by 2030.[vii] It
is crucial to emphasize that Paris COP21 is a non-binding treaty and intended
national contributions are determined solely by each participating country on a
voluntary basis. It is expected that the treaty will be ratified by signatories
and enter into force within the next year.

Keywords

Prospects for Renewable Energy, Turkey after Paris COP21 Summit

References

• [i] OECD, “Turkey Economic Forecast Summary (June 2016)”, Economy, Available from: http://www.oecd.org/economy/turkey-economic-forecast-summary.htm
• [ii] The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
• [iii] Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Turkey, “UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol”, Available from: http://www.mfa.gov.tr/united-nations-framework-convention-on-climate-change-_unfccc_-and-the-kyoto-protocol.en.mfa
• [iv] WWF, “Turkey’s Climate Policy”, Available from: http://www.wwf.org.tr
• [v] World Coal Association, “Climate Change”, Available from: http://www.worldcoal.org/coal-the-environment/climate-change/
• [vi] Harvard Kennedy School, “Making Technological Innovation Work for Sustainable Development”, 17 August 2016, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Environment and Natural Resources Program.
• [vii] Güler Sabancı, Opening Address, IICEC 7th International Energy and Climate Forum, İstanbul, 10 June 2016.