MESSAGES FROM TRASTA ESG

Dear Readers, In this issue, we delve into the robust stance of scientific data against climate denial and explore the concept of blue growth, which shapes the future of seas and oceans. Additionally, we bring you the latest developments in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), keeping you up-to-date with current trends. We emphasize the role of public support in achieving a sustainable future and examine its intricacies in detail. With our bulletin, we aim to take a step toward raising awareness for the future of our planet. 🌱

Stay sustainable…

ÖZGÜN ÇINAR, CEO

PUBLIC SUPPORT AND SUSTAINABILITY

RESPONSIBLE PROGRAM

The Green Deal Compliance Project Support is a grant program designed to contribute to an environmentally friendly and sustainable future. Based on Article 14 of the Decision No. 5973 on Export Supports, this project aims to assist companies in implementing the transformation projects necessary to align with the objectives of the Green Deal. This support focuses on raising awareness, building capacity, and implementing sustainability projects in areas such as environmental, social, governance, and digital transformation. A special system called the Responsible Program has been launched to facilitate the support of companies within this framework.

The Responsible Program consists of three key stages that analyze the current state of companies and guide them toward achieving their sustainability goals. The first stage, Current State Analysis and Sustainability Roadmap, evaluates companies based on their vision, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria, identifying areas that require improvement. This process results in the creation of a sustainability roadmap. The second stage, Implementation Consultancy, provides technical and financial support for executing the identified projects. The third stage, Monitoring and Verification, involves assessing the impacts and outcomes of the implemented projects.

The support process begins with companies submitting applications via the Responsible Portal. Manufacturing and exporting companies with a total export volume of at least USD 300,000 over the past three years can apply by submitting the required documents digitally. Companies deemed eligible by the Ministry receive support, while those rejected can reapply after six months. During the evaluation process, the sustainability vision and strategy, export objectives, top management’s commitment to the project, the qualifications of the project team, and the financial structure of the company are considered. Additionally, the pre-assessment scorecard generated through the Responsible Portal plays a significant role in the decision-making process.

The program provides financial assistance for activities such as consultancy services, digital and green transformation projects, and corporate sustainability reporting. Support limits are determined based on the number of employees and financial structure. Companies with over 250 employees or annual sales exceeding TRY 600 million can receive up to TRY 1,500,000. Medium-sized companies with 50 to 250 employees can receive up to TRY 1,000,000, while small companies with fewer than 50 employees can access up to TRY 500,000. To benefit from the support, expenditures must be documented and submitted through the Support Management System (DYS).

The Responsible Certification, a hallmark of this support program, verifies that companies operate in accordance with environmentally friendly and sustainability criteria. Issued by the Ministry, this certification is valid for five years, during which the companies’ sustainability practices are monitored. Projects undertaken within the scope of the program enhance companies’ competitive position both nationally and internationally while contributing to global environmental goals. Firms seeking to align with the Green Deal can participate in the Responsible Program to secure their place in the eco-friendly economy of the future.

YÖNDE  SUPPORT PROGRAM

YÖNDE – Guidance and Evaluation Support Program, which was implemented to increase the competitiveness of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and support them in adapting to the requirements of the modern business world, offers guidance to businesses in the areas of digitalization, sustainability and lean production. This program, implemented by KOSGEB, allows businesses to analyze their current situation, identify their needs and develop strategies for these needs. One of the most striking aspects of the program is that it offers non-refundable support for consultancy services provided to businesses, thus reducing the financial obstacles that businesses face in their growth and transformation processes.

Within the scope of the YÖNDE Support Program, support is provided in three main areas. With digital transformation support, businesses can create the analyses and strategic roadmaps they need in their digitalization processes. Services received from digital transformation consultants certified by TÜSSİDE are supported within the program and support can be provided up to 20,000 TL for each of these services, and up to 40,000 TL in total. Sustainability reporting support allows businesses to evaluate their performance in environmental, social and governance areas and prepare reports in accordance with TSRS standards. While support of up to 100,000 TL is provided for each reporting service, this support can reach 200,000 TL in total during the program. In the field of lean transformation, the Lean Maturity Assessment Analysis support offered by businesses to optimize their production processes and increase efficiency draws attention. Support of 20,000 TL is provided for each of these services and up to 40,000 TL in total. Each support can be received a maximum of two times.

The program offers 80% non-refundable support to businesses and is carried out for a total period of 36 months. However, in order to benefit from this support, businesses must operate in accordance with the Turkish Commercial Code, be registered and active in the KOSGEB database, and also operate in the sectors supported. Micro-scale businesses are not included in the program.

The YÖNDE Support Program not only provides financial support to SMEs, but also provides the opportunity to receive guidance from expert consultants. In this way, businesses can more easily adapt to the requirements of the modern business world, such as digitalization, sustainability and lean production. The program aims to increase the competitiveness of SMEs and make significant contributions to the country’s economy in the long term.

This comprehensive program plays an important role in the transformation processes of SMEs, enabling them to achieve a strong position both locally and globally. The YÖNDE Support Program provides significant assistance to businesses in adapting to the rapidly changing dynamics of today’s world and achieving success.

TURKEY’S INTERNATIONAL DIRECT INVESTMENT STRATEGY

Turkey’s International Direct Investment (FDI) Strategy aims to strengthen the country’s position in the global investment environment and increase its share of global FDI flows by 2028. This strategy aims to develop Turkey’s portfolio in terms of both quantity and quality by focusing on qualified FDI projects. Our country aims to increase its share of global FDI flows to 1.5% and its share from the wide competitive area to 12% by 2028, while also setting concrete targets such as the number of investments determined for qualified FDI projects.

The basic policies of the strategy are based on six main axes: competitiveness of the investment environment, green and digital transformation, integration into global supply chains, development of qualified human resources and international promotional activities. Within the scope of competitiveness of the investment environment, actions such as facilitating and digitalizing bureaucratic processes and increasing the effectiveness of incentive mechanisms stand out. In addition, steps such as attracting multinational companies’ Shared Service Centers to Turkey and strengthening the ecosystem of technology startups support efforts to create an investor-friendly climate.

In the areas of green and digital transformation, Turkey’s efforts to comply with international regulations such as the European Green Deal are noteworthy. In this context, renewable energy and circular economy investments are encouraged, while support mechanisms are being put into place to increase energy efficiency. In digital transformation, it is aimed to strengthen the national cyber security infrastructure and create an ecosystem for innovative technologies such as the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence.

In terms of integration with global supply chains, logistics infrastructure investments are being accelerated to use Turkey’s strategic geographical location more effectively. The development of railway and port infrastructures, green logistics applications and intermodal transportation projects are important studies carried out in line with this goal. In addition, in order to strengthen the domestic supply chain, the integration of SMEs with large-scale companies is supported and digital platforms are being created within this scope.

Within the framework of qualified human resource development policies, programs that encourage education in STEM fields and the establishment of strong ties between vocational and technical education and industry are noteworthy. At the same time, studies such as visa facilities, researcher programs and incentive packages are also carried out to attract and retain international talent in Turkey.

In the field of international promotion, the “Invest in Turkey” brand has been strengthened and a 360-degree communication strategy has been adopted. Investment opportunities in Turkey are introduced to global investors through sectoral promotion events, customized content production and international campaigns. The strategy aims to increase our country’s investment diplomacy efforts and highlight Turkey’s attractiveness with effective messages aimed at target audiences.

Turkey’s IDI Strategy presents an important roadmap that aims to increase our country’s investment attraction capacity and strengthen its position in the global economy by exhibiting a comprehensive and multi-dimensional approach.

DAMLA GÜNALP, SUSTAINABILITY ASSISTANT SPECIALIST

ESG NEWS

  • BNP Paribas Asset Management (BNPP AM) has launched its first infrastructure private equity fund, the BNP Paribas Low Carbon Transition Infra Equity Fund I, targeting €750M to advance Europe’s energy transition. Backed by a €400M anchor commitment from the BNP Paribas Group, the fund aims to build a diversified portfolio of 8-12 equity investments in mid-market capital-intensive infrastructure projects. DETAIL
  • A PwC Luxembourg report reveals that 55% of FY2024 companies foresee challenges in maintaining data quality and consistency as they prepare for Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) compliance. The directive mandates transparent ESG reporting, pushing businesses to integrate sustainability into their operations and value creation strategies. DETAIL
  • The Arctic is known to be melting at an alarming rate. The region is losing its icy shield by 12% per decade due to excessive greenhouse gas emissions. The disappearance of Arctic sea ice could trigger a cascade of negative consequences, from disrupting global weather patterns to devastating Arctic ecosystems. DETAIL
  • Green reforms to a major energy treaty that has shielded oil and gas investments from climate regulation took a big step forward today, as the 51 governments of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) agreed to allow each other to remove protections for fossil fuels. DETAIL
  • This year will be the world’s warmest since records began, with extraordinarily high temperatures expected to persist into at least the first few months of 2025, European Union scientists said on Monday. DETAIL
  • The ocean may have removed much less carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than expected in 2023, mainly due to high ocean temperatures. If climate change continues to rapidly weaken the planet’s ocean and land carbon sinks, it will be even more difficult to avoid dangerous levels of warming. DETAIL
  • According to the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s 2024 Arctic Report Card, tundra in the Arctic is becoming a net source of carbon dioxide, rather than the climate-beneficial carbon sink it has been for millennia. DETAIL

🍃GREEN COLUMN🍃

SCIENTIFIC DATA AGAINST CLIMATE DENIAL

In 2004, three scientists published a study calculating the contribution of human-induced climate change to the heat wave that hit Europe in the summer of 2003, which killed more than 70,000 people.

The results were surprising. According to the scientists, the risk of such an extreme heat wave occurring was at least doubled by human influence. The finding naturally attracted a lot of attention worldwide. Moreover, it pioneered the development of the scientific field of “extreme event attribution.”

Carbon Brief is a platform that specializes in climate science and energy policy, offers data-driven articles, and works to better understand climate change. It examines the effects of climate change and scientific research on the subject in detail, and makes it accessible to a wide audience.

The platform has undertaken a very interesting study. It has mapped a large group of studies conducted and published to understand whether extreme weather conditions are the result of climate change. We have tried to summarize the findings of this study for you.

Carbon Brief included 735 extreme weather events and 612 studies covering them in the said mapping.

According to the study, 74% of all these cases were seen to be made more likely or more severe due to climate change. The cluster of cases in question includes many cases where scientists have discovered that extreme heat is almost impossible without human influence.

Approximately 9% of the events and trends on the map have become less likely or more severe due to climate change.

This means that overall, 83% of the events and trends on the map are affected by human-induced climate change.

In the remaining 17% of the cases, either no human influence was found (10%) or the data was mostly insufficient (7%).

In a world where climate denial is (inexplicably) supported, such scientific data may perhaps prompt the authorities to take action and take action.

ÖZGÜN ÇINAR, CEO

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