Erdoğan mentions ‘Nation’s Gardens’ at Leaders’ Summit on Climate

* Mustafa Kamacı - Anadolu Agency (AA)

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On the occasion of World Earth Day yesterday (April 22), Turkey's President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed via videoconference the heads of state and government at the Leaders' Summit on Climate.

Speaking at the virtual summit hosted by US President Joe Biden, Erdoğan also mentioned the "Nation's Gardens" projects, which foresee recreational facilities to be built all around the country as a promise of the ruling AKP before the 2018 presidential elections.

Noting that the "Nation's Gardens" have increased green spaces and sink capacities in the country, President Erdoğan briefly added, "We have planted a total of 5.1 billion saplings for the last 18 years and increased our forest stock from 20.8 million to 23 million hectares."

NOTE: In a video message sent to the Summit on Biodiversity held on the sidelines of the 75th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on September 30, Erdoğan said that "by planting more than 4.5 billion saplings, they had increased Turkey's forest assets from 20.8 million hectares to 23 million hectares."

'21-percent reduction in emissions'

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), President Erdoğan also mentioned Turkey's "action plans and strategies" to stem the effects of climate change, noting that the country expects a reduction of its greenhouse gas emission up to 21 percent until 2030.

Erdoğan stated that "Turkey is also one of the most affected countries by climate change, although it has nearly no historical responsibility on the rise of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere."

"Climate change is not only affecting certain states that are most polluting the world but actually affecting all humanity starting with the countries in the African continent," he underlined further in his speech.

"It is a moral and conscientious duty of us all to leave this world entrusted to us to the next generations in a more livable manner," he said.

He went on to note that Turkey will continue to contribute to the global climate action on equal terms with countries of similar economic levels.

"Within the framework of the nationally determined contribution that we presented in 2015, we are expecting a reduction of our greenhouse gas emissions up to 21 percent up until 2030. According to our nationally determined contribution, a total of 1.92 billion tons of greenhouse emissions will be prevented between the years 2012 and 2030," added Erdoğan.

Renewable energy

President and AKP Chair Erdoğan also argued that "Turkey is a leading country in the region in terms of renewable energy."

"Currently, the installed power capacity has a share of 52.3 percent of renewable energy. At this rate, we rank sixth in Europe and 13th in the world. In terms of installed hydroelectric power, we rank second in Europe and ninth in the world," he said about the issue.

Erdoğan also noted that "Turkey will increase its electricity generation from solar power to 10 gigawatts until 2030 and from wind energy to 16 gigawatts," adding, "Thanks to the steps we will be taking, we aim to have 66.6 million tons of carbon dioxide emission reduction by 2023."

Referring to the Zero Waste Project as well, he noted that with this project, Turkey will "increase the recycling rate to 60 percent by 2035." (EKN/SD)