Türkiye Döngüsel Ekonomi conference
January 22, 2024
Freek van Eijk, CEO of Holland Circular Hotspot, on January 18, was in Ankara at theTürkiye Döngüsel Ekonomi conference to moderate a session on best practices for the EU co-financed DEEP project on the Assessment of Türkiye’s Potential on Transition to Circular Economy.
The event attracted great attention by hosting several speakers including Turkey Circular Economy Platform stakeholders, members and supporters. Many sessions took place where, sectoral organizations, private industries, public sector representatives, experts and other authorities shared their experiences and insights.
"Circular economy does not only reinforce Turkey to face the climate challenges and reach its climate neutrality objectives, but also creates business opportunities in several fields"
Freek Van Eijk, CEO Holland Circular hotspot
The DEEP project
The DEEP project is a European initiative to help Türkiye move towards a circular economy. This means changing how resources are used and how waste can be handled in a more sustainable way. DEEP also aims to make Türkiye’s businesses and technology stronger as we shift to this new way of doing things, following the EU Circular Economy Model.
As part of the plan, DEEP is creating a National Strategy and Action Plan that fits Türkiye’s needs. This roadmap will guide the country in becoming more circular considering its unique situations.
The DEEP project involves six ministries, the Union of Municipalities, and others such as Small and Medium Enterprises Development, industry and consumer associations, Turkiye’s Statistical Office, NGOs, and international organizations. Holland Circular Hotspot is part of the team, bringing in their knowledge and support.
Circular Economy as the backbone of the Green Deal
The DEEP project now has reached the final stage in the preparation of the National Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan, which will mark a turning point in Türkiye’s development. The Action Plan has been shared with implementing institutions. Six strategic goals, 24 key objectives and 58 actions have been identified to be implemented between 2024 and 2028 for Türkiye’s transition to a circular economy.
The Strategic Goals identified for Turkiye’s transition are:
- Circular Products
- Priority Sectors
- Waste and Wastage Prevention and Reduction
- Dissemination of Circular Economy
- Horizontal Actions
- Monitoring the Circular Economy
Turkey will make 35 legislative changes in four years, as well as take steps together in 23 actions covering infrastructure, technology and innovation, institutional structure and cooperation, financing and economy.
Circular economy in the Turkish context
For the conference session moderated by Freek Van Eijk, the following representatives were present
- Ms. Şule KILIÇ, Deputy Head Türkiye, SIG Infra & Energy, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
- Mr. Seyit ARDIÇ, Board Member, The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB)
- Ms. Sultan TEPE, Board Member, İstanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Association (İTHİB) & Board Member, İstanbul Chamber of Industry (İSO)
- Mr. Taha ULUHAN, Founder, Novocycle Technologies
The video of the conference in Ankara on January 18 can be found below.