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The launch meeting was held in Ankara for the Project “Enhancing Adaptation Action in Turkey” implemented jointly by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation and UNDP, co-financed by the Republic of Turkey and European Union.
Ankara, 26 February 2020 – The Project “Enhancing Adaptation Action in Turkey” was launched in Ankara at an event bringing together various stakeholders.
Aiming to build societal resilience by strengthening climate change adaptation, particularly at the sector and urban level, the Project plans to engage in capacity building and networking activities for climate change adaptation with the EU and the international community by creating better decision-making tools for national climate change adaptation policies and offering urban adaptation planning solutions.
Also featuring a climate change adaptation grant programme to implement climate change adaptation action, the Project intends to establish an enabling environment for climate change adaptation in Turkey by developing the policy, technical and operational baselines.
The event started with the opening remarks delivered by Mr. Sukhrob Khojimatov, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Turkey; Mr. Angel Gutierrez Hidalgo, Representative of the European Union Delegation to Turkey; Mr. İsmail Raci Bayer, Head of EU Financial Assistance Department of the General Directorate for European Union and External Relations; Mr. Sebahattin Dökmeci, Deputy General Director of Environmental Management of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation; followed by speeches by Mr. Güven İslamoğlu, a producer/director; and Mr. Nuri Özbağdatlı, Portfolio Manager for Climate Change and Environment ta UNDP Turkey.
Climate-induced crises on the rise in Turkey
Underlining that climate change entailed economic, social and environmental impact, Mr. Sukhrob Khojimatov said: “The number of climate-induced crises has been increasing in Turkey. In the past 20 years, the crises increased six-fold compared to 1995-2000. Resilient infrastructural work will play a key role in anti-climate action.”
Climate action needs everyone
Mr. Angel Gutierrez Hidalgo said “We need everyone in climate action, we are all at risk”, and underlined the need to find joint solutions to common problems. Mr. Hidalgo also stressed that international action was needed for Paris Agreement, and the European Green Deal was an opportunity to solve the climate crisis not only for EU but also for the region.
Loss of 2bn USD incurred in 2017 due to climate-induced disasters
Noting that serious losses were incurred through floods and landslides in the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions, Mr. Sebahattin Dökmeci said: “We are implementing strategic projects for low-carbon economy.”
The meeting was followed by lunch service with local food not containing meat products to keep down carbon footprint, and a technical workshop which addressed the impact of adaptation action at sectoral and urban scales.
The Project aims to reach out relevant public agencies, local governments, regional development agencies, chambers, trade unions, universities, research institutions and civil society organisations.
The Project intends to develop better decision-making tools for climate-resilient sustainable development and adaptation and resilience planning in urban spaces, as well as develop a grant scheme for adaptation action.
For more information:
UNDP Turkey, Climate Change and Environment Communications Assistant: bikem.ahiska@undp.org
