TÜSİAD Article Series, 2009 / 01 Climate Change; New Copenhagen Criteria?

From "the Factory of Ideas" (Archive)

 

Turkey is geologically located at a position, vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Having gained its industrialisation momentum in the last 20 years, Turkey’s historical responsibility related to climate change is lower in comparison to that of the developed countries. Though Turkey’s greenhouse gas emission rate per person is low; it has shown an increase of 49 % as of 1990. In addition, Turkey’s overall greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 119 % between 1990-2007. The largest share of this rate belongs to the energy sector (77 %).[iii] In the framework of our responsibilities towards future generations; Turkey should not remain distant to the international efforts directed at struggling against climate change and transition to a low carbon economy.

 

The 15th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to be held in Copenhagen on 7-18 December 2009, is very important in terms of reaching a decision on the new agreement to be adopted for the struggle against the climate change in post-2012. Hopefully, political will to reach a new climate change agreement will be displayed in Copenhagen. Following such a political decision, introduction of a legally binding agreement putting forth targets, measures and mechanisms directed at emission reductions to enter into force after 2012 is expected.

 

Combat against climate change can only be possible through the common effort of all countries according to their own capacities in the framework of the “principle of common but differentiated responsibilities”. Hence; participation of the USA that has very large shares in the global emission rate, as well as fast developing countries such as China and India taking responsibility from now on carries a vital importance in terms of the future global climate regime being set in an equitable and sincere framework.
 
Due to the concerns regarding economic development as well as the misplacement in the countries’ list of commitments; Turkey has been a passive actor in the global climate change regime. However, parallel to the increasing sensitivity on this issue, Turkey has accelerated, albeit belatedly, its activities on national climate change policies and the international climate negotiations. In this context, the work regarding national climate change adaptation strategy and a national action plan compatible with this strategy is being carried out.   
 
Turkey has become a party to the Kyoto Protocol in 2009, and hence does not have a commitment to decrease its emissions 5 % from 1990 levels, which is foreseen for Annex B countries during the 2008-2012 period. Turkey, as the only country that is in Annex I but not in Annex B, is not able to benefit from the flexibility mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol. The mechanisms to be formed after 2012 and benefiting from these mechanisms, depends completely on negotiations. However Turkey, as an OECD member and a country in the process of EU accession, should take an active role in the post 2012 global climate negotiations and prepare strategies in order to limit its rapidly increasing emissions within the framework of sustainable development targets. In the commitments made in these negotiations, the economic development level and sustainable development strategies should be taken into consideration. In this respect, it is necessary to form a strong negotiation position based on reliable data and information regarding all sectors and to develop energy-climate strategies integrated with the vision for transition to a low carbon economy.

 

In an environment wherein the USA has remained silent for a long time and even deserted the process; the EU has undertaken the leadership of the international climate change regime in the framework of the Kyoto Protocol. The EU has put forth aggressive emission reduction targets and an integrated climate-energy policy. The EU, that has set the target of 20 % emission reduction and 20 % energy efficiency by 2020 in comparison to the levels of the year 1990. Moreover, the EU expects the new member states, countries in the accession process and the candidate countries to set targets along these lines. Thus; Turkey is under the pressure of both the EU and the international community in terms of taking responsibility for the post 2012 climate regime and targeting emission reduction. Turkey should take climate policies into consideration in its EU membership negotiations. It should clearly be in the position to form and negotiate its position to reach a mutual agreement. When the national income per capita and the level of industrialisation is taken into account; Turkey should not be expected to assume the same level of responsibility as those of the developed countries regarding emission reduction within the new climate regime to be formed after 2012. However activities directed at reducing the emission increase that is going to develop parallel to the annual 5-6 % growth necessity of the Turkish economy. In this framework; measures increasing energy conservation and energy efficiency should be taken, renewable energy potential should be developed and the use of environmental friendly technology and techniques in production should be supported alongside research and development activities. Furthermore; educational activities to raise public awareness and sensitivity on this issue should be widespread.   

 

Source: Nicholas Stern, “Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change”, 2006

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[i] IPCC, Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, “Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report Summary for Policymakers”, 2007.