Re-invigorating Turkey's energy leadership: Turkey as a sustainable energy leader among emerging economies
Journal
IPC-Mercator Policy Brief
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2015-08
Author(s)
Abstract
The global fight against climate change as well as efforts to guarantee energy security both call for the sustainable transformation of the world’s energy systems. Turkey has ample potential to become a leader in the pursuit of this goal. It comprises significant energy saving and formidable renewable energy potentials. Moreover, in Turkey’s quickly growing economy, energy investment decisions are taken today that will determine the future course of Turkey’s energy systems. This situation presents a unique opportunity to develop a sustainable and future-proof energy profile.
To become a sustainable energy leader among emerging economies, Turkey would have to implement a progressive and coherent sustainable energy policy. Although solid energy policy architecture is in place, sustainable energy targets are weak, government support is limited, and bureaucratic hurdles for energy investment still frustrate potential investors. Most importantly, many top policymakers do not seem to be ready to play a productive role in designing a forward-looking, sustainable energy policy for Turkey. Particularly, the country’s “dash for coal” threatens to destroy Turkey’s potential to become an energy leader and to provoke substantial difficulties for Turkey in upcoming climate negotiations. The policy brief concludes by outlining policy recommendations that would help overcoming these limitations and making Turkey a sustainable energy leader.
To become a sustainable energy leader among emerging economies, Turkey would have to implement a progressive and coherent sustainable energy policy. Although solid energy policy architecture is in place, sustainable energy targets are weak, government support is limited, and bureaucratic hurdles for energy investment still frustrate potential investors. Most importantly, many top policymakers do not seem to be ready to play a productive role in designing a forward-looking, sustainable energy policy for Turkey. Particularly, the country’s “dash for coal” threatens to destroy Turkey’s potential to become an energy leader and to provoke substantial difficulties for Turkey in upcoming climate negotiations. The policy brief concludes by outlining policy recommendations that would help overcoming these limitations and making Turkey a sustainable energy leader.
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to practical use / society
Refereed
No
Publisher
Istanbul Policy Center
Publisher place
Istanbul
Start page
1
End page
12
Pages
12
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
247661