Turkey

The report "Feasibility of Coal in the Age of Renewable Energy: Hunutlu Thermal Power Plant Case" by WWF Turkey and SEFiA (Sustainable Economy and Financial Research Association) in collaboration with Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe reveals why coal investments no longer bring profits, through the example of the Hunutlu coal-fired thermal power

Türkiye-AB Sivil Toplum Diyaloğu Beşinci Dönem Hibe Programı çerçevesinde, Türkiye Ekonomi Politikaları Araştırma Vakfı (TEPAV), Güneydoğu Avrupa Değişim Ağı (SEE Change Network) ve Avrupa İklim Eylem Ağı (CAN Europe) ortaklığında Nisan 2019 – Haziran 2020 tarihleri arasında yürütülmüş olan “Türkiye 2050 Hesaplayıcısı: İklim Politikası Diyaloğunun Desteklenmesi” projesi kapsamında “Türkiye ekonomisinin karbondan arındırılması: uzun vadeli stratejiler ve acil çözüm bekleyen

Within the scope of the Civil Society Dialogue Program (Fifth Phase), Turkey Economic Policy Research Foundation (TEPAV), Southeast Europe Change Network (SEE Change Network) and the Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe have conducted the project "Turkey 2050 Calculator: Climate Policy Dialogue" from April 2019 to June 2020. The report "Decarbonization of Turkey’s economy: long-term strategies and immediate challenges" is the final product of the project 

More than 20 NGOs including East Mediterranean Platform of Environment Associations, the Chamber of Doctors in Adana, Chamber of Agricultural Engineers in Adana, 350.org, Climate Action Network Europe (CAN Europe), Ekosfer, Greenpeace Mediterranean, Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), and Yuva Association called Chinese banks to withdraw their financial support to the Hunutlu coal-fired power plant that is being constructed in the Yumurtalik District of Adana, Turkey.

Global Coal Plant Tracker’a (Küresel Kömür Santrali Takipçisi-GCPT) göre 2019 yılı, kömüre dayalı elektrik üretimine dair tüm belli başlı büyüme göstergelerinde büyük düşüş görülen ardı ardına dördüncü yıl olarak kayda geçti. 

A just transition means delivering the socio-economic transformation required to address climate change, whilst reducing inequalities in the most affected regions and ensuring the costs and benefits of the transition are spread fairly.

With the current level of the climate crisis, a global transition to a low-carbon economy is an urgent necessity, rather than an option. According to the IPCC 1.5°C special report (SR15), rapid action is needed to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C in line with the Paris Agreement. This will require key changes in energy supply and demand to be effected in a just manner. Learn how.

Kömür kullanımının yöre halkına, hava, toprak, su ve iklimimize muazzam bedelleri çoğu zaman kolayca gözle görülmüyor ya da ayrı ayrı başlıklar altında ele alınıyor. Bu da genelde, bilerek ya da bilmeyerek, sadece bu durum karşısındaki tavrımızı ve karar alma süreçlerini bulanıklaştırmaya yarıyor.

Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe’s new report on “The Real Costs of Coal: Muğla” shows how expanding coal mines and extending the life-span of coal-fired power plants threatens tourism and other sectors as well as the health of local communities and ecosystems. The report calls upon Turkish authorities to embark upon the urgent shift to clean, renewable energy instead, in the face of the worsening climate crisis.

This study pulls together the many pieces of the enormous puzzle often referred to as externalities of coal exploitation, yet another term blurring our appreciation of the entire toll we all pay for continued reliance on coal - in Mugla and elsewhere.

To be called the “great platform to engage in the climate debate” that “improves our impact at national level” and provides “support, information and inspiration” compliments our entire Network and will continue to drive our shared effort to live up to such high accolades at this time of growing climate urgency.

More than 25 NGOs working in Turkey released a joint statement urging Turkish decision makers to focus on raising ambition, and reaping the benefits of a low-carbon just transition at COP24.

The real price we all pay for Turkey’s coal is too high, shows CAN Europe’s new study “The Real Costs of Coal: Muğla”. The research is a case study on one of the country’s oldest coal power infrastructures with numerous lignite mines and three coal-fired power plants in Muğla city. The outcomes of the research demonstrate the urgency with which plans for the expansion of coal mines in the region must be abandoned, and the three plants retired instead of getting life extensions.

The EU and China have to live up to their responsibilities on climate change and use every opportunity to support the Western Balkans and Turkey to move beyond coal. This means renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, not new coal, argue Elif Gündüzyeli and Igor Kalaba.

What's the situation?

Turkey’s electricity utility, EÜAŞ, “won” the second place in the Sneaky Special Treatment category of the Fossil Fuels Subsidy Awards due to its significant and increasing public support for new coal mines and power plants which would not attract investors otherwise.

Turkey's second largest private bank, Garanti, which finances the country’s coal boom, received the 2016 Climate Performance Leadership award from CDP, a UK based organisation, earlier this month. Environmental groups shed light on the destructive impacts of the dodgy deals the bank is involved in, in order to counter its green claims deceiving the European public.

This report shows that by shifting to a low-carbon, 100% renewable pathway, fastly emerging economies like Turkey will benefit from a strongly reduced dependency on fossil fuel imports, will save lives through reduced pollution and will create more sustainable, green and qualified jobs that could have a major positive impact on the country’s developmental vision.

This set of infographics were developed together with the release of the report Co-benefits of Climate Action - Assessing Turkey's Climate Pledge.

These infographics show an assessment of Turkey's climate commitments and the benefits of stronger climate action (in Turkish).