05.06.2026 14:31
Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır stated at the Zero Waste Forum that uncontrolled consumption deepens environmental problems and emphasized the need to act with a renewed sense of responsibility for sustainability. He explained Turkey's green transformation policies and international collaborations.
Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır stated that uncontrolled consumption, driven by the understanding that natural resources are unlimited, deepens environmental problems, and said, “If we want to leave a livable world for future generations, we must act with a renewed sense of responsibility in every area.”
Minister Kacır attended the first ministerial session of the “Zero Waste Forum 2026” held at Atatürk Airport under the auspices of the Istanbul Governorship and coordinated by the Zero Waste Foundation.
Speaking at the “High-Level Industry and Technology Ministers Session: Zero Waste and Circular Economy Perspective,” Kacır noted that the pursuit of progress and development since the Industrial Revolution has been shaped by an unlimited consumption trend, and the consequences of the misleading understanding that nature's resources are unlimited are felt worldwide today.
“ZERO WASTE MOVEMENT CONTRIBUTES TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WHILE TURNING WASTE INTO ECONOMIC VALUE”
Kacır stated that the developments once again reveal the importance of shared responsibility in sustainability, using the words: “If we want to leave a livable world for future generations, we must act with a renewed sense of responsibility in every area.”
Expressing that the Zero Waste Movement, implemented under the auspices of Emine Erdoğan, wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, contributes to environmental protection while turning waste into economic value, Kacır emphasized that the movement presents a comprehensive transformation model demonstrating that a production and consumption approach in harmony with nature is possible.
Kacır said, “This movement represents a new life culture that prevents waste, values resources, minimizes losses, and prioritizes balance over excessive consumption. As an indicator of this, the United Nations General Assembly has declared March 30 as International Zero Waste Day.”
Stating that in line with this vision, Turkey has implemented comprehensive policies and support mechanisms to accelerate green transformation in industry, Kacır spoke as follows:
“Within this framework, we have restructured our investment incentive system to more effectively support the green and circular transformation of industry. We prioritize investments that protect natural resources, increase resource efficiency, support low-carbon production, and strengthen the circular economy. We have implemented the Green Transformation Program to support companies investing in cleaner and more efficient production. Under the program, we provide comprehensive support for investments that increase energy and resource efficiency, reduce emissions, enable waste reuse and recovery, and improve the environmental performance of production processes.”
“GREEN TRANSFORMATION IN LINE WITH THE NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE”
Minister Kacır stated that in line with the National Technology Initiative, they view green transformation not only as an environmental responsibility but also as a strategic element that enables the development of advanced technologies, increases innovation capacity, and enhances industrial competitiveness, sharing the following information about the work carried out in this context:
“Through the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), we support R&D activities in critical areas such as climate-friendly technologies, energy efficiency, renewable energy, circular economy, clean production, and sustainable materials. TÜBİTAK has allocated $700 million in resources to 4,500 projects and 4,300 scientists working in the field of green transformation and climate change. TÜBİTAK's Green Growth Technology Roadmaps identify critical technologies for green transformation in strategic and high-emission sectors such as iron-steel, aluminum, cement, chemicals, plastics, and fertilizers.”
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN GREEN TRANSFORMATION
Minister Kacır emphasized that green transformation is not an issue any country can tackle alone, stating that this process is a transformation area requiring comprehensive, multi-dimensional, and urgent global cooperation.
Kacır noted that a comprehensive transformation process in industry is envisaged in line with the 2053 net zero emission target and recorded the following regarding projections:
“To achieve the targets, an investment of $71 billion is needed in the high carbon intensity sectors of iron-steel, cement, aluminum, and fertilizers. Accordingly, we have established close cooperation with numerous international financial institutions, whose valuable representatives are here today. In collaboration with the World Bank, we have secured over $1 billion in financing within the scope of three major projects.”
Kacır stated that in addition to this financing, efforts to mobilize $250 million in financing from the Islamic Development Bank for the “Sustainable Organized Industrial Zones Project” have reached the final stage.
Also referring to collaborations for financing and accelerating green transformation in industry, Kacır noted that Turkey supports the transformation process not only through bilateral cooperation mechanisms but also through multilateral financing and coordination tools, continuing as follows:
“Within this scope, under the leadership of our ministry and in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), we have established the Turkey Industrial Decarbonization Investment Platform, or TIDIP. TIDIP is not just a financing platform; it is a strategic mechanism that brings together Turkey's industrial policy and international development finance around a common goal. Through TIDIP, we aim to support over €5 billion in industrial decarbonization investments by 2030 and achieve an annual reduction of 20 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas emissions.”
Kacır stated that several multilateral development banks are in the process of joining TIDIP and that the platform will be officially launched at COP31 as a pioneering initiative supporting industrial decarbonization.
“WE AIM TO CONTRIBUTE TO MAKING THE GLOBAL TRANSFORMATION PROCESS FAIRER AND MORE INCLUSIVE”
Stating that Turkey's COP31 vision is not limited to advancing its own industrial transformation, Kacır expressed that they also aim to contribute to making the global transformation process fairer and more inclusive, saying:
“It also once again reveals the importance of the vision repeatedly voiced by our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on international platforms: 'The world is bigger than five' and 'A fairer world is possible.'”
As Turkey, within the framework of our COP31 Presidency, we plan to coordinate the implementation of the Least Developed Countries Green Industrialization Facilitation Mechanism, or LDC-GIF Mechanism, to serve this purpose. This mechanism offers end-to-end capacity building and financing opportunities that transform projects from the idea stage into investment-ready initiatives.
Kacır concluded his speech by emphasizing that Turkey's development experience can contribute to the green industrialization efforts of partner countries.