and the Environmental Challenge Turkey and the Environmental Challenge

Like most other developing / emerging market countries, Turkey is facing a serious trade-off between environmental and developmental concerns: (1) Instituting a stringent regime of environmental protection/ conservation will have high economic costs, and will certainly cause a significant slowdown in growth rates in the short- and medium-run. (2) Yet the environmental impact of existing patterns of production and consumption also has immediate / ongoing costs (health implications, loss of arable land due to soil erosion etc.). (3) In the long run, a development strategy with no consideration for the environment will most certainly backfire; it is not sustainable.

Other considerations for environmental policymaking: Externally, a mismatch between regional and global contexts: Turkey is bound by international treaties, and must harmonize its environmental regime with European standards before accession. However, the global environmental regime is evolving slowly, and most other middle-income countries are reluctant to comply. Domestically, a mismatch between grassroots and elite politics: There is some public awareness of environmental challenges in Turkey, along with several moderately powerful civil society organizations devoted to the cause (Greenpeace, TEMA etc.). However, parties represented in the parliament and political elites in general are not eager to commit to an environmental agenda; the environment is not a priority item in mainstream politics.

Part of the problem is rapid demand for energy in Turkey Part of the problem is rapid demand for energy in Turkey. Per capita electricity consumption alone increased by six-folds from 1980 to 2005. This means it will be very difficult for Turkey to decrease its per capita “carbon footprint”. An equally important issue for Turkey is energy dependency. It is very far from energy self-sufficiency. Only about 28-30% of Turkey’s energy demand is met through domestic production; more than 70% is imported in the form of oil, natural gas, and electricity. The biggest import partner is Russia! How to achieve energy self-sufficiency? (strategic goal)

Turkey and Climate Change As a founding member of OECD, required to sign Annex 1 of Framework Convention. Committing to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000 Providing financial assistance and technology transfer to developing countries Turkey did not sign the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992. ‘Special circumstances’ of Turkey recognized in 2001. Turkey became a party to UNFCCC in 2004. Turkey became a party to Kyoto Protocol in 2009. No quantified limitation and reduction commitments in 2008-2012.

Turkey and Climate Change Turkey’s official position: A fair mechanism providing flexibilities for countries to take action based on their national circumstances and levels of economic development. Turkey has a negligible historical responsibility Turkey has more similarities with developing countries. Requests international financial and technological support

Turkey’s Projected Aggregate CO2 Emissions – 2004 / 2010 / 2020 (Gg)

Turkey and Europeanization of Environment Environment chapter opened to negotiation in 2010 Adoption of Kyoto protocol. Need to adopt 300 regulations in: Air quality Waste management: recycling of solid waste and treatment of waste water. Very few municipalities have the systems. Water quality Nature protection: preserving 15-20% of land Chemicals: all chemicals used in cleaning materials should be known, tested, and approved. Industrial pollution: Each factory will be inspected and it will face closure if a certain level is exceeded. Noise Cost of compliance estimated around 70 billion euros, most of which will be born by the public sector. Economists estimate negative effects on employment. Compliance expected in 2030.

Two popular options for reducing energy dependency: Nuclear Power Akkuyu? Sinop? Positives: Considered “clean” by many Strategically important Prestigious Negatives: Risky and very expensive if something goes wrong Hard to maintain Storage/dumping of used fuel big problem Continued dependence on other countries for fuel

Hydro Power (HES): Mainly in the Black Sea Region; valleys! Positives: Considered “clean” Cheap to build; can be run by private sector Abundant resource in Turkey; not dependent for fuel Not dependent for technology Negatives: Terrible impact on local environment; deforestation Loss of jobs and lifestyles in the affected regions (“multifunctionally” bad deal) May not be enough to resolve the problem

International day of action for rivers, 14 March 2011

Against nuclear energy

debate How should Turkey balance security, economic, and environmental concerns in energy? Nuclear Hydro-electric Fossil fuels, thermal power plants Wind and solar energy