In a video message to the Environment Forum organized by Anadolu Agency at Renaissance Polat İstanbul Hotel, Erdoğan welcomed guests who have come to İstanbul from around the world. Erdoğan expressed his hope that the forum will be beneficial to all humanity and congratulated Anadolu Agency’s management and all the institutions and organizations that have contributed to the organization of the event.

Noting that he believed climatic and environmental issues, spanning from media’s responsibility to sustainable development and the media’s approach to natural disasters, would be addressed during the Forum in all of their facets, Erdoğan said, “Unfortunately, industrialization, technological advancements, and human-induced impacts create significant environmental damage. We see and feel the repercussions of this damage around the world more and more each year. If timely and adequate action is not undertaken, environmental disasters, air pollution, water and food security, and biodiversity loss will reach irreversible levels. Undoubtedly, as with any other issue, it is crucial that countries that cause more damage to the environment shoulder greater responsibility and contribute more to the struggle. Our perspective of “Let the people live so that the state lives” represents a thorough overview that also encompasses environmental conservation.”

“Türkiye ranks fifth in Europe and twelfth in the world in renewable energy”

Erdoğan highlighted that they viewed the environment, namely nature, as Allah’s creation and trust, and continued:

“We believe that protecting the environment, which is the shared living area of all people, is not a favor but a responsibility. Although our historical responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions is less than 1 percent, combating climate and environmental problems is one of our top priorities. We have taken historical steps over the past twenty years to protect nature and the environment in our country and mitigate the effects of climate change. Thanks be to Allah, we have reaped the benefits of our sincere efforts in promoting renewable energy, waste management, forest expansion, and numerous other areas.

Türkiye ranks fifth in Europe and twelfth in the world in renewable energy. We achieved this by increasing the share of renewable energy to 55 percent of our total energy. By increasing our forest assets to 23 million hectares, we have become the country with the greatest increase in forest assets in Europe. Our efforts to establish 81 million square meters of national gardens in 81 provinces continue unabated. While designing our country’s first domestic car, TOGG, as a fully electric vehicle, we were conscientious of our environmental responsibilities. Ratifying the Paris Climate Agreement in our Parliament last year gave our fight against climate change significant momentum. We will continue to take all necessary steps to achieve our ultimate goal of net zero emissions by 2053.”

Noting that media organizations such as Anadolu Agency have a great responsibility to raise awareness about climate change and the environment, Erdoğan said, “Anadolu Agency has become one of the leading organizations for climate journalism not only in our country but also in the world with the recent establishment of Green Line. I believe that Anadolu Agency, which has been our country’s voice in the world for exactly 102 years, will inform the whole world about climate change and the environment by seeing the unseen and hearing the unheard. I wish success to our agency as it undertakes this difficult but crucial task. I wish the Environment Forum to be successful and thank everyone who has contributed.” (ILKHA)