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Turkey is joining the international
community in tackling the burning issue
of global warming.
The Government of Turkey and the UN Development
Programme (UNDP) agreed the way ahead for
Turkey to confront the global threat of
climate change by signing a new project
document in August 2005 in Ankara. The project
document outlines future activities including
the preparation of Turkey's Initial National
Communication, which will report on the
steps the country is taking to implement
the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Some $405,000
from the Global Environmental Facility's
(GEF) trust fund for developing countries
was allocated for the project.
Turkey ratified the UNFCCC, the treaty
aimed at mobilizing the international community
against the threat of global warming, in
2004. The convention seeks to achieve stabilization
of greenhouse gases at a low level.
The agreed project will analyze the potential
impacts of climate change, prepare an inventory
of Turkey's greenhouse gas emissions and
GHG emission projections until
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2020 and assess alternative energy scenarios
and measures to reduce emissions, as well as enhance
local expertise, prepare the initial national
communication report and generate public awareness
of the issue.
An inter-ministerial National Climate Change
Coordination Council has been formed under the
direction of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
UNDP Turkey will act as implementing agency and
provide consulting services.
Information about the GEF can be found at www.thegef.org
Panel Held on Impacts of Climate Change on
Turkey and Industry
On the other hand, a panel on the Impacts of Climate
Change on Turkey and Industry was organized on
22 November 2005, at the Turkish Union of Chambers
and Commodities Exchanges in Ankara with the participation
of the Turkish Minister of Environment and Forestry
Osman Pepe, the UNDP Resident Representative Jakob
Simonsen and the TOBB President Rifat Hisarciklioglu.
Minister Pepe, in his opening speech, talked about
the importance of activities to address climate
change issues and stressed the good relations
between UNDP and Turkey regarding the issue. Simonsen
deliberated on the related activities of the UNDP
around the world and in Turkey and expressed his
wish to continue to work with the Ministry in
order to adverse affects of global warming and
climate change. Rifat Hisarciklioglu urged industrialists
to work harder to adopt more stringent environmental
standards in order to compete in the EU market.
For further information on climate change activities
in Turkey please visit: www.iklimnet.org
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