National Technology Initiative in Line with the Net-Zero Emission Target
Authors: Birpınar Mehmet Emin , Dinçbaş Tuğba 
Published: December 2022

Technology is considered to be one of the core building blocks in solving the problem of climate change. Current studies on climate change demonstrate the increasing importance of scientific and technological trends that will shape the future of the world. Energy system technologies, in particular, are of great importance as they lie at the very heart of the climate change problem. On the other hand, to achieve the net-zero emission targets announced by many countries, including our country, it is necessary to ensure the dissemination of existing clean technologies, develop and introduce new technologies to the market and provide technical and financial support to developing countries to reduce emissions. Delaying the dissemination of these technologies will cause economies to continue their carbon-intensive growth paths despite the climate crisis. This situation will make it difficult to achieve emission reduction targets over time. Accelerating R&D and investment activities in clean technology right after Türkiye became a party to the Paris Agreement and announced its net-zero emission target emerges as a economic and environmental priorities. Times of crisis are also times of opportunity. Climate change, which has been defined as a crisis recently, is critical not only for the development of clean technologies but also for a radical change in production and consumption processes. In this context, risks and opportunities related to the climate crisis should be addressed in a holistic way and the process should adopt a win-win approach with effective and inclusive policies. It is necessary to move beyond the existing policies on low-carbon technologies in order to minimize the impact of green transition in our country and use the process as an opportunity. Such technologies should be supported under all subheadings and throughout the entire technology cycle, and in order to do this, effective mechanisms including financial ones, should be created and activities with concrete indicators in line with designated targets should be carried. In this context, the very first step to take is to set a technology roadmap regarding the transition that will take place within the framework of the 2053 net-zero emission vision. In addition, it is essential to improve national and international cooperation on technology. The participation of the private sector in R&D efforts and improve the public-university-private sector cooperation in these areas should be increased. Lastly, it is of utmost importance that international financing is mobilised in a stronger way for the dissemination of technology efforts. Türkiye has made significant advances in technology in the green transition process, which is seen as a solution to the climate change problem. It is needed to identify the related strategies and policies required by these change with all institutions. The development and dissemination of these technologies will provide an opportunity not only for the fight against climate change but also green transition of our country.